Clause 80
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]
6:30 pm
Eric Illsley (Barnsley Central, Labour)
With this it will be convenient to discuss new clause 14—Delegation of functions by regional development agencies—
‘(1) The Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 (c. 45) is amended as follows.
(2) After section 6A (delegation of functions to the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency) insert—
“6B Delegation of functions by regional development agencies
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a regional development agency shall have power to arrange for the discharge of any of their functions by a local authority within their area or jointly by a group of local authorities within that area.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a ‘function’ shall include any part of a function, or any function or part of a function which is exercisable only in relation to part of the area of a local authority.
(3) A regional development agency shall within six months of the coming into force of this section and at yearly intervals thereafter propose such delegations for the discharge of any of their functions by a local authority within their area, or jointly by a group of local authorities within that area, having regard to the desirability of maximising such delegation.
(4) Whether or not a regional development agency has made proposals under subsection (3), the Secretary of State shall have power to direct an agency to make such delegations as he may determine, after taking into account any representations made to him by any local authority in the area concerned, or by the agency.
(5) Two or more local authorities to which any function has been delegated under this section may arrange for it to be discharged by them jointly or in accordance with any executive arrangements agreed by them from time to time.”’.