Clause 57
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]
2:15 pm
Eric Illsley (Barnsley Central, Labour)
With this it will be convenient to discuss new clause 4—Amalgamation of one or more local authorities—
‘(1) One or more principal councils may request the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to advise, no later than a date specified in the request, on proposals for the amalgamation of the relevant principal councils.
(2) The Local Government Boundary Commission for England shall provide the advice requested.
(3) Where they provide that advice, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England must also do any of the following that they think appropriate—
(a) recommend that the Secretary of State implements the proposal without modification;
(b) recommend that he does not implement it.
(4) Any principal council submitting a proposal for amalgamation must if requested by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England by such date as they may specify with any information that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England may reasonably require in connection with its functions under this Clause.
(5) If the Local Government Boundary Commission for England recommends the proposal without modification the Secretary of State may—
(a) by order implement the proposal, with or without modification; or
(b) decide to take no action.
(6) The Secretary of State may not in any case make an order under subsection (5)(a) implement a proposal unless he has consulted the following about the proposal—
(a) every authority affected by the proposal (except the authority or authorities which made it); and
(b) such other persons as he considers appropriate.’.