Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your covering letter dated 29 November 2012.

The Council has now had an opportunity to consider the general implications for the Bill in so far as the proposed arrangements affect the Town and Community Council sector. The Council has studied extracts of the Explanatory Memorandum and generally agrees with question 8 of the consultation response form that the proposed provisions relating to improving access to information (Town and Community Councils) are appropriate.

National support and guidance will need to be put in place to mitigate costs and to allow smaller town and community councils time to comply with the provision. The Council notes such arrangements are to be introduced to allow the sector to comply by May 2015. This is welcomed as many councils have very small budgets and perhaps their Clerks only work a few hours per week so national support will be necessary as they may not have the wherewithal to embrace change. This particular Council already complies with the proposed provision and has no issues with what is being proposed. Publishing information electronically is seen as a prerequisite in modern society and can only aid public accountability and general transparency.

Thank you for consulting the Council.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Mark Galbraith

Clerk to Llanelli Rural Council

Vauxhall Buildings

Vauxhall

Llanelli

SA15 3DP