As a local authority member since 1985 who is likely to forgo that membership soon, I appeal to the Minister not to proceed with his plans to remove the power from councillors to decide on local authority charges. If he does, it will denigrate the functions of councillors and local government in the long term. That aside, there are positive aspects to the Bill. However, the Minister should ask himself how many councils he has had to threaten with dissolution to get them to raise charges. There are very few and the ultimate sanction always lies with the Minister.