Clause 88
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]
9:15 am
Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall, Liberal Democrat)
I beg to move amendment 71, in clause 88, page 60, line 34, leave out from ‘to’ to end of line 35 and insert—
‘(a) promoting the sustainable economic development and regeneration of its area, and
(b) contributing to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.’.
The amendment is in line with a debate that we had about an earlier amendment, which I think was tabled by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle). That sought to strengthen the Bill’s wording regarding sustainable development. We were seeking to press a power, or duty, on the responsible regional authority, the RDA and the leaders’ board in their development of a regional strategy. If we are to have economic prosperity boards carrying out similar work on economic development in their areas, the same principle applies and we would feel more comfortable if a more explicit duty were placed upon them to carry out sustainable economic development.
Paragraph (b) of the amendment contains the phrase:
“contributing to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.”
The Minister said in an earlier debate that she felt the point was covered—that the Secretary of State could issue general guidance and that that guidance would, no doubt, be in accord with meeting those aims. However, given that the Bill establishes these bodies, it would be good if those key duties were imposed from the outset for any such bodies that come into existence.