English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-26

196EC

Schedule 26, page 275, line 31, at end insert—
“(3A) Before issuing an invitation or direction the Secretary of State must consider—
(a) the natural geography of the proposed local areas being merged,
(b) the identity of the authorities in terms of communities and place making,
(c) the balance between the rural, urban and suburban mass of the proposed authorities,
(d) the financial and environmental sustainability of the proposed authorities, and
(e) the size of proposed authorities in relation to the creation of local democratic structures.”

222B

After Clause 63, insert the following Clause—
“Local planning authority: duty to consult fire and rescue services
(1) Where a local planning authority is considering a planning application relating to energy infrastructure, the local planning authority must consult the local fire and rescue service for the place which application relates to.
(2) The local planning authority must have regard to any increased fire risk arising from the infrastructure project when assessing the application.”

This probing amendment seeks to ensure that where a planning application relates to energy projects (for example, battery energy storage systems), fire and rescue services are statutory consultees.

241E

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause—
“National Parks and strategic planning
In exercising functions under this Act relating to spatial development strategies, the Secretary of State must have regard to the desirability of ensuring that National Park authorities are statutory participators and providers of advice in the development of a strategy where it—
(a) relates to land within a National Park, or
(b) is likely to have a significant effect on the purposes of a National Park.”

This amendment would require a strategic planning authority to include the relevant National Park Authority as a statutory participant in the development a spatial development strategy where this covers all or part of a National Park, ensuring that National Park Authorities are formally involved in the preparation and examination of strategies affecting areas for which they are the statutory local planning authority.

235F

After Clause 72, insert the following new Clause- "Permission for gambling premises: cumulative impact assessments (1) A local authority which is a planning authority must, when considering any application for planning permission or change of use for premises which are to be used for gambling, take into consideration any relevant cumulative impact assessment published in accordance with section 349(1A) of the Gambling Act 2005, and where the conditions in that document are satisfied they shall in the absence of very special circumstances refuse the application. (2) The Gambling Act 2005 is amended according to subsections (3) and (4). (3) In section 153(1)(d), after “statement” insert “, including any cumulative impact assessment,". (4) After section 349(1), insert- “(1A) A licensing authority may include in their statement an assessment (“a cumulative impact assessment”) stating that they consider that the number of premises licences granted under section 163 in one or more parts of their area described in the assessment is such that it is likely that it would be-- (a) inconsistent with the licensing objectives in section 1, or (b) harmful to the wellbeing of the community, for the authority to grant any further premises licences which would result in an increase in the number of such premises in that part or those parts".

After Clause 63, insert the following new Clause- "CHAPTER 2A LAND DISPOSED OF BY LOCAL COUNCILS Discharge of statutory trusts Secretary of State to have power to discharge statutory trusts (1) LGA 1972 is amended in accordance with this section. (2) After section 128 insert- “Discharge of statutory trusts 128A Statutory trust discharge orders (1) The Secretary of State may make an order under this section in relation to land in England (a “statutory trust discharge order"). (2) The Secretary of State may not make a statutory trust discharge order in relation to land unless- (a) a person has applied to the Secretary of State for the statutory trust discharge order to be made in relation to the land, and (b) the Secretary of State is satisfied that the qualifying conditions are met (see section 128D). (3) The effect of an order being made in relation to land is that the land is freed from any trust arising solely by virtue of its being land held in trust for enjoyment by the public in accordance with- (a) section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875 (pleasure grounds), or (b) section 10 of the Open Spaces Act 1906 (duty of local authority to maintain open spaces and burial grounds). (4) The order has that effect in relation to that land generally (and so its effect is not limited to that land as freehold or leasehold land as held by the applicant for the order). (5) The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make provision as to the making and determination of any application for a statutory trust discharge order. (6) Regulations under subsection (5) may in particular make provision as to – (a) the steps to be taken by a person before making an application; (b) the form of an application; (c) the information or evidence to be supplied with an application; (d) the publication of an application; (e) the holding of an inquiry before determination of an application; (f) the evidence to be taken into account in making a determination and the weight to be given to any evidence. (7) Regulations under subsection (5) may include provision for the Secretary of State to appoint a person to discharge any or all of the Secretary of State's functions in relation to an application for a statutory trust discharge order. (8) The power under subsection (5) to make regulations includes power to make- (a) different provision for different cases; (b) incidental, supplementary or consequential provision; (c) transitional or saving provision. (9) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (5) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. (10) Section 128G contains further provision about the making of statutory trust discharge orders. 128B Applications for statutory trust discharge orders (1) A person making an application must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (whether relating to how the application is made or to its form or content). (2) Qualifying condition B (see section 128D(3)) limits which kind of person is able to make a successful application. (3) An application may be varied after it has been made (and section 128A, this section, and sections 128D to 128G then apply to the application as varied). (4) The Secretary of State may require a person making an application to pay a fee before the Secretary of State considers the application (the "application fee"). (5) The application fee is to be of an amount specified in, or determined in accordance with, regulations made under section 128A(5). (6) The determination of an application for a statutory trust discharge order which relates to particular land does not prevent a further application from being made subsequently in relation to the same land. (7) But the Secretary of State may reject a further application if the Secretary of State considers that there has not been a material change in the circumstances relevant to the qualifying conditions. (8) If a further application is rejected, the Secretary of State must publish notice of the rejection in the manner which the Secretary of State considers appropriate. 128C Applications where land has been divided up (1) This section applies where – (a) a principal council, parish council or parish meeting appropriated or disposed of land, and (b) the freehold or leasehold title to that land has subsequently been divided. (2) An application may be made in relation to the land comprised in any of the relevant titles. (3) A single joint application may be made in relation to the land comprised in two or more of the relevant titles; and, in the case of such an application, the question of whether the qualifying conditions are met must be decided separately in relation to the land comprised in each title. (4) For the purposes of this section- (a) a freehold title is “divided” if either or both of the following occurs (i) the title is divided into two or more different freehold titles; (ii) a lease (including a sublease) is granted over some or all of the land comprised in the freehold title; (b) a leasehold title is "divided" if - (i) the title is divided into two or more different leasehold titles (for example by an assignment of part); (ii) a sublease (including a sublease that is not immediately inferior to the leasehold title) is granted over some or all of the land comprised in the leasehold title. (5) In this section “relevant title” means- (a) the freehold title to the whole or a part of the land appropriated or disposed of; (b) the title to a long lease of the whole or a part of the land appropriated or disposed of. 128D The qualifying conditions (1) This section sets out the “qualifying conditions” (referred to in section 128A(2)(b)). (2) Qualifying condition A: the application for the statutory trust discharge order identifies land in England in relation to which the order is being sought. (3) Qualifying condition B: the applicant for the order is- (a) the freehold owner of the relevant land, or (b) the tenant of the relevant land under a long lease, whether granted before or after commencement, at the time of the application (whether or not by virtue of the previous appropriation or disposal). (4) Qualifying condition C: a principal council, parish council or parish meeting- (a) appropriated, or (b) disposed of, the relevant land at a time before the application for the statutory trust discharge order is made (the “previous appropriation or disposal"). (5) It does not matter whether the previous appropriation or disposal occurred before or after commencement. (6) Qualifying condition D: the previous advertisement procedure was not complied with in relation to the previous appropriation or disposal. (7) For the purposes of determining whether qualifying condition D is met – (a) it is sufficient that the previous advertisement procedure was not complied with; (b) accordingly, it is irrelevant- (i) whether the previous advertisement procedure in fact had to be complied with, or (ii) whether the land was in fact land held in trust for enjoyment by the public in accordance with a trust of the kind mentioned in section 128A(3). (8) Section 128F includes provision for presuming that the previous advertisement procedure was not complied with; and qualifying condition D must be taken to be met if that presumption is made. (9) Qualifying condition E: the new publicity requirements have been complied with. (10) Qualifying condition F: it is in the public interest for the relevant land to be freed from the trusts by virtue of the order. (11) The reference in subsection (10) to the public interest includes the public interest in- (a) nature conservation; (b) the conservation of the landscape; (c) the protection of public rights of access to the relevant land; (d) the protection of archaeological remains and features of historic interest; (e) development proposals relating to the relevant land; (f) economic, environmental or social benefits which the order would facilitate if made. 128E The new publicity requirements (1) This section sets out the “new publicity requirements” (referred to in qualifying condition E in section 128D(9)). (2) The applicant must publish a notice of the application in four consecutive weeks- (a) in a local newspaper and, if there are two or more local newspapers, it must be the main local newspaper; (b) if there is no local newspaper, either- (i) in a national newspaper, or (ii) on a website with a readership in the local area that is comparable to the readership of a local newspaper. (3) If- (a) a newspaper is published in print and on a website, and (b) it is possible to publish notices of the kind required by subsection (2) in both versions, a requirement under subsection (2) to publish a notice in the newspaper can only be complied with by publication of the notice in both versions. (4) If the applicant is a principal council, a parish council or parish trustees, they must also publish a notice of the application for a period of 28 days on their website (if they have one). (5) The applicant must display a notice of the application for a period of 28 days at the point of entry, or at the main points of entry, to the relevant land. (6) The Secretary of State must publish a notice of the application for a period of 28 days on the website, or main website, containing information about the Secretary of State's department. (7) A notice under this section must identify the relevant land. (8) A notice under this section must- (a) state that a person who wishes to make representations about whether or not the order should be made may notify the Secretary of State of the representations, and (b) state the manner in which, and date by which, representations must be notified; and that date must be later than the last day of the period of 56 days beginning with the day when that notice is first published or displayed. (9) When publishing or displaying a notice under this section, the applicant must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (whether relating to its publication or display or its form or content). (10) In this section- "local area" means area in which the relevant land is situated; “local newspaper” means a newspaper circulating in the local area. 128F Previous advertisement procedure: co-operation by councils etc and presumption (1) This section applies if an application has been made to the Secretary of State for a statutory trust discharge order. (2) The Secretary of State must notify the relevant council or parish trustees of- (a) the application, (b) the relevant land, and (c) the information about the previous appropriation or disposal which the Secretary of State has as a result of the application. (3) Within the response period, the relevant council or parish trustees must give the Secretary of State – (a) notice which- (i) confirms that the previous advertisement procedure was complied with in relation to the previous appropriation or disposal, (ii) confirms that the previous advertisement procedure was not complied with in relation to the previous appropriation or disposal, or (iii) states that the relevant council or parish trustees are not able to confirm either of those things, and (b) any information relating to compliance, or non-compliance, with the previous advertisement procedure which the relevant council or parish trustees have. (4) If the relevant council or parish trustees — (a) give the Secretary of State a notice under subsection (3)(a)(iii) within the response period, or (b) do not give the Secretary of State any notice under subsection (3)(a) within the response period, the Secretary of State must presume that the previous advertisement procedure was not complied with in relation to the previous appropriation or disposal, unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that the procedure was complied with. (5) In this section – "relevant council or parish trustees” means – (a) in a case where a principal council undertook the previous appropriation or disposal, the principal council for the area where the relevant land is situated; (b) in a case where a parish council undertook the previous appropriation or disposal - (i) the parish council or parish trustees for the area where the relevant land is situated, or (ii) if the relevant land is no longer in the area of a parish, the principal council for the area where the relevant land is situated; (c) in a case where a parish meeting undertook the previous appropriation or disposal – (i) the parish trustees or parish council for the area where the relevant land is situated, or (ii) if the relevant land is no longer in the area of a parish, the principal council for the area where the relevant land is situated; “response period”, in relation to a notification given by the Secretary of State under subsection (2), means the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the notice is received by the relevant council or parish trustees. 128G Making statutory trust discharge orders (1) In deciding whether to make a statutory trust discharge order, the Secretary of State must take into account all matters that are relevant, including these matters- (a) whether, and how, the person making the application has had regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 128B(1) and section 128E(9); (b) any representations about whether or not the order should be made that are notified to the Secretary of State (including any representations made by persons who are freehold owners, or tenants, of land comprised in the previous appropriation or disposal but who are not applying for the order). (2) A statutory trust discharge order may relate to only some of the relevant land specified in the application. (3) A statutory trust discharge order takes effect – (a) on the day after the day on which the order is made, or (b) if the order specifies a later day on which it is to take effect, on that day. (4) In relation to each application for a statutory trust discharge order, the Secretary of State - (a) must publish notice of the decision whether or not to make the order, and (b) if the order is made, must publish the order. (5) That notice, or the order, is to be published in the manner which the Secretary of State considers appropriate. 128H Sections 128A to 128G: interpretation and application to the Crown (1) In sections 128A to 128G and this section – "application” means an application for a statutory trust discharge order; “commencement” means the coming into force of section (Secretary of State to have power to discharge statutory trusts) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2025; "long lease” means a lease which was granted for a term of 20 years or longer; "new publicity requirements" has the meaning given in section 128E(1); “previous advertisement procedure” means whichever of the following applied to the previous appropriation or disposal – (a) the requirement to advertise notice of the intention to make the appropriation in accordance with– (i) section 122(2A) in the case of an appropriation by a principal council; (ii) section 126(4A) in the case of an appropriation by a parish council or parish meeting; (b) the requirement to advertise notice of the intention to make the disposal in accordance with- (i) section 123(2A) in the case of a disposal by a principal council; (ii) section 123(2A) as applied by section 127(2) in the case of a disposal by a parish council or parish meeting; "previous appropriation or disposal” has the meaning given in section 128D(4); "qualifying conditions” has the meaning given in section 128D(1); “relevant land” means the land identified in the application for a statutory trust discharge order as the land relation to which the order is being sought; "statutory trust discharge order” has the meaning given in section 128A(1). (2) A reference in sections 128A to 128G to the freehold owner, or the tenant under a long lease, is a reference to – (a) the Crown Estate Commissioners, if the freehold or long lease belongs to His Majesty in right of the Crown and forms part of the Crown Estate; (b) the government department having the management of the freehold or long lease, if it belongs to His Majesty in right of the Crown but does not form part of the Crown estate; (c) the government department concerned, if the freehold or long lease belongs to a government department or is held in trust for His Majesty for the purposes of a government department; (d) a person appointed by His Majesty in writing under the Royal Sign Manual, or if no such appointment is made the Secretary of State, if the freehold or long lease belongs to His Majesty in right of His private estates (which must be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Crown Private Estates Act 1862); (e) the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if the freehold or long lease belongs to His Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster; (f) a person appointed by the Duke of Cornwall, or the possessor for the time being of the Duchy of Cornwall, if the freehold or long lease belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall." (3) In section 266(1) (orders which are to be made by statutory instrument), for “other than section 261 above" substitute "other than section 128A".

After Clause 63, insert the following Clause – "Local planning authority: duty to consult fire and rescue services (1) Where a local planning authority is considering a planning application relating to energy infrastructure, the local planning authority must consult the local fire and rescue service for the place which application relates to. (2) The local planning authority must have regard to any increased fire risk arising from the infrastructure project when assessing the application."

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause – “National Parks and strategic planning In exercising functions under this Act relating to spatial development strategies, the Secretary of State must have regard to the desirability of ensuring that National Park authorities are statutory participators and providers of advice in the development of a strategy where it- (a) relates to land within a National Park, or (b) is likely to have a significant effect on the purposes of a National Park.”

196EA

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Devolution of the Youth Guarantee
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for functions relating to the delivery of the Youth Guarantee in England to be exercisable by strategic authorities.
(2) Functions devolved under subsection (1) may include responsibility for—
(a) the planning, commissioning, and coordination of Youth Guarantee provision;
(b) engagement with employers, education providers, and training organisations;
(c) integration of Youth Guarantee provision with local education, skills, and employment support services;
(d) outreach and engagement with eligible young people.
(3) Any funding provided to strategic authorities for the purposes of the Youth Guarantee—
(a) shall be allocated on a non-ringfenced basis, and
(b) must be used for the purposes of supporting participation in education, training, apprenticeships, or employment for eligible young people.
(4) Regulations made under this section must secure that—
(a) the Youth Guarantee continues to operate as a national entitlement, and
(b) devolved arrangements do not reduce the minimum level of support available to eligible young people.
(5) A strategic authority exercising functions under this section must publish information, at such intervals as may be prescribed, setting out—
(a) how Youth Guarantee funding has been used, and
(b) how provision has been tailored to local labour market conditions.
(6) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.”

196EB

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Mayor-led youth employment programmes and pilots
(1) The Secretary of State must make provision, by regulations, to enable a strategic authority with a mayor to exercise functions for the purpose of designing, commissioning, and delivering youth employment programmes or pilot schemes.
(2) Functions conferred under subsection (1) may be exercised only where the mayor of the strategic authority has requested the conferral of such powers.
(3) Youth employment programmes or pilot schemes under this section may include—
(a) employment, training, or apprenticeship opportunities for young people;
(b) wage subsidies, supported employment, or work placement schemes;
(c) partnerships with employers, education providers, or voluntary organisations;
(d) targeted interventions for young people at risk of long-term unemployment or economic inactivity.
(4) Where functions are exercised under this section, the Secretary of State may provide funding to the strategic authority, which—
(a) shall be allocated on a non-ringfenced basis, and
(b) must be used for the purposes of youth employment or participation in the labour market.
(5) Regulations made under this section may provide for—
(a) time-limited pilot schemes,
(b) evaluation requirements, and
(c) the sharing of learning from such programmes across strategic authorities.
(6) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.”

141B

Schedule 20, page 226, line 12, at end insert—
“(f) the process for aligning growth measures in the plan with—
(i) the protection of wildlife and habitats under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981,
(ii) nature recovery opportunities, and
(iii) other environmental responsibilities.”

This amendment is designed to give the Secretary of State the opportunity to help local mayoral authorities with published guidance on how to avoid competition between economic and environmental growth responsibilities within their growth plans.

141A

Schedule 20, page 226, line 12, at end insert—
“(f) the process for aligning growth measures in the plan with—
(i) the protection of species listed in schedules 1, 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981,
(ii) nature recovery opportunities, and
(iii) other environmental responsibilities.”

This amendment is designed to give the Secretary of State the opportunity to help local mayoral authorities with published guidance on how to navigate their responsibilities with regard to bird-safe building design and ways to help reverse nature loss within their growth plans.

After Clause 31, insert the following new Clause – "Use of adult skills and employment funding (1) Any allocation of funding made to a strategic authority under this Act for the purposes of adult skills, education, or employment support may be used only for activities which- (a) support adult education or skills development, or (b) improve access to employment, progression in work, or participation in the labour market for persons aged 19 and over. (2) Allocations of funding under this section must be made on a non-ringfenced basis, and strategic authorities must retain discretion as to the design, commissioning, and delivery of programmes funded under this section. (3) Expenditure under subsection (1) may include, but is not limited to (a) adult education and training provision; (b) skills development, retraining, and upskilling programmes; (c) employment support, careers guidance, and work-readiness initiatives; (d) engagement with employers to support workforce development; (e) outreach activities to increase participation among under-represented groups. (4) Funding under this section may not be used for purposes unrelated to adult education or adult employment outcomes, including but not limited to (a) highways, transport infrastructure, or road maintenance; (b) general capital projects not directly connected to adult skills or employment provision; (c) activities whose primary purpose is economic development unrelated to workforce participation."

Schedule 11, page 173, line 36, at end insert— "(1C) In securing provision under subsection (1A), a strategic authority may include education or training delivered as part of a structured transitional pathway into employment, including time-limited programmes combining skills development, employability support and work-related activity."

Schedule 11, page 173, line 36, at end insert— “(1C) In securing provision under subsection (1A), a strategic authority must have regard to the desirability of programmes which provide a clear pathway from education or training into sustained employment.”

Schedule 20, page 226, line 12, at end insert - "(f) the process for aligning growth measures in the plan with- (i) the protection of species listed in schedules 1, 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, (ii) nature recovery opportunities, and (iii) other environmental responsibilities."

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause – "Devolution of the Youth Guarantee (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for functions relating to the delivery of the Youth Guarantee in England to be exercisable by strategic authorities. (2) Functions devolved under subsection (1) may include responsibility for – (a) the planning, commissioning, and coordination of Youth Guarantee provision; (b) engagement with employers, education providers, and training organisations; (c) integration of Youth Guarantee provision with local education, skills, and employment support services; (d) outreach and engagement with eligible young people. (3) Any funding provided to strategic authorities for the purposes of the Youth Guarantee - (a) shall be allocated on a non-ringfenced basis, and (b) must be used for the purposes of supporting participation in education, training, apprenticeships, or employment for eligible young people. (4) Regulations made under this section must secure that- (a) the Youth Guarantee continues to operate as a national entitlement, and (b) devolved arrangements do not reduce the minimum level of support available to eligible young people. (5) A strategic authority exercising functions under this section must publish information, at such intervals as may be prescribed, setting out - (a) how Youth Guarantee funding has been used, and (b) how provision has been tailored to local labour market conditions. (6) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure."

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause – “Mayor-led youth employment programmes and pilots (1) The Secretary of State must make provision, by regulations, to enable a strategic authority with a mayor to exercise functions for the purpose of designing, commissioning, and delivering youth employment programmes or pilot schemes. (2) Functions conferred under subsection (1) may be exercised only where the mayor of the strategic authority has requested the conferral of such powers.

108

Schedule 5, page 140, line 34, at end insert—
“(e) requiring traffic authorities to provide parking and docking for licensed micromobility vehicles at an appropriate density and standard.”

109

Schedule 5, page 141, leave out lines 14 to 16 and insert—
“(6) Traffic authorities and licensing authorities must co-operate with each other to ensure that sufficient space is provided for the parking and docking of licensed micromobility vehicles and on other matters relating to the parking and docking of micromobility vehicles.”

112

Schedule 5, page 144, line 11, at end insert—
(3)The regulations must make provision for a licence to prohibit the provider of micromobility vehicles from providing a pedal cycle or electrically assisted pedal cycle to a person who does not have insurance.”

113

Schedule 5, page 148, line 3, at end insert—
“Cooperation with other bodies
12 The regulations—
(a) must require Great British Railways and National Highways, and
(b) may require other public bodies,
to cooperate with the licencing authority on matters relating to connecting micromobility vehicles with other forms of transport.”

114

After Clause 26, insert the following new Clause—
“Parking charges
In section 46A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (variation of charges at designated parking places), after subsection (4A) insert—
“(4B) Where the authority by whom a designation order is made is a combined authority or CCA, the authority making that order under this section may not increase those charges.””

This amendment prevents combined county authorities and combined authorities from increasing parking charges.

118

Clause 29, page 37, line 7, leave out “implement” and insert “have regard to”

This amendment ensures that councils must have regard to local transport plans, rather than be under a duty to implement them.

119

Clause 29, page 37, line 28, leave out “implement” and insert “have regard to”

This amendment, and another tabled by Baroness Scott of Byrbook, ensures that councils must have regard to local transport plans, rather than be under a duty to implement them.

122

After Clause 31, insert the following new Clause—
“Preventing youth unemployment
In their delivery of functions under this Act, strategic authorities must work in partnership with local businesses and education (including further education) providers to prevent and reduce local youth unemployment.”

123

Schedule 11, page 173, line 33, at end insert—
“(c) education and vocational training for individuals residing in areas of high deprivation,
(d) provision of skills relating to priority sectors identified by Local Growth Plans, and
(e) specific forms of support that may be required in order to deliver skills provisions to those who have faced long-term economic inactivity or unemployment.”

124

Schedule 11, page 173, line 33, at end insert—
“(1AA) In securing provision under subsection (1A), the Mayor of London, each combined authority and CCA, and each district council or county council that is a strategic authority, must consult further education colleges on where skills challenges are most acute within those sectors.”

125

Schedule 11, page 174, line 16, at end insert—
“(1AA) For the purposes of subsection (1A) strategic authorities must take consideration of—
(a) education and vocational training for individuals residing in areas of high deprivation,
(b) provision of skills relating to priority sectors identified by Local Growth Plans,
(c) consultation with further education colleges on where skills challenges are most acute within those sectors, in the delivery of those plans, and
(d) specific forms of support that may be required in order to deliver skills provisions to those who have faced long-term economic inactivity or unemployment.”

126

Clause 35, page 39, line 14, at end insert—
“(2) Notwithstanding any powers conferred under this section or Schedule 16, the Mayor of a Combined County Authority may exercise strategic planning powers only where the constituent local authorities have been consulted and, within limits prescribed by regulations, have the power to approve or veto such decisions.
(3) Regulations under this section are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

This amendment ensures that constituent local authorities have a consultative and limited veto role over strategic planning powers, with any regulations setting those limits made by statutory instrument subject to the affirmative procedure.

127

Schedule 16, page 197, line 3, at end insert—
“(d) any parish council;”

This amendment requires that any parish council be consulted in relation to the exercise of land acquisition powers conferred by Schedule 16.

128

After Clause 37, insert the following new Clause—
“Duty to consider the needs of rural communities
(1) When considering whether or how to exercise any of its functions a combined authority, a CCA and each district council or county council that is a strategic authority must have regard to the needs of rural communities in relation to land use, the development of land and regeneration, housing, employment, health and wellbeing.
(2) When considering whether or how to exercise any function, the mayor for the area of a combined authority and the mayor for the area of a CCA must have regard to the considerations set out in subsection (1).”

This amendment would require strategic authorities and their mayors, when considering whether or how to exercise any of their functions, to have regard to the needs of rural communities.

130

After Clause 37, insert the following new Clause—
“Brownfield land priority
(1) A mayor, combined authority, or combined county authority may not designate greenfield land for development unless it is satisfied that no suitable brownfield land is available within the relevant area.
(2) In determining suitability under subsection (1), regard must be had to—
(a) availability,
(b) viability, and
(c) environmental impact.”

131

After Clause 37, insert the following new Clause—
“Chief Planner
(1) The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is amended as follows
(2) After Section 1, insert—
“1A Local planning authorities and strategic authorities: Chief Planner
(1) Each local planning authority and each strategic authority, as defined in section 1(2) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (strategic authorities), must appoint an officer, to be known as Chief Planner, for the purposes of their functions in relation to planning and spatial development.
(2) Two or more authorities may, if they consider that the same person can efficiently discharge for both or all of the authorities the functions of Chief Planner, concur in the same appointment of a person as Chief Planner for both or all of these authorities.
(3) An authority may not appoint a person as Chief Planner unless satisfied that the person has appropriate qualifications and experience for the role.””

This amendment would require authorities with planning and spatial development functions to appoint a Chief Planner to lead this professional work.

132

After Clause 37, insert the following new Clause—
“Sustainable drainage assessments
(1) In their functions under this Part related to planning applications, strategic authorities must conduct and publish a sustainable drainage assessment.
(2) The assessment under subsection (1) must include consideration of whether existing public sewerage systems have capacity to support proposed developments in planning applications.”

133

Schedule 18, page 216, line 30, at end insert—
“Support for Mayoral Development Corporations
4A (1)Section 198 is amended in accordance with this paragraph.
(2)After subsection (2), insert—
(2A)The Secretary of State may—
(a)provide financial assistance for the creation of Mayoral Development Corporations;
(b)provide financial assistance for the acquisition of land or property by Mayoral Development Corporations;
(c)provide guidance to Mayoral Development Corporations on any aspect of governance, land acquisition, development and regeneration, and ongoing management.””

This amendment would enable the Secretary of State to support the creation of Mayoral Development Corporations.

135

After Clause 39, insert the following new Clause—
“Report: impact of the growth and skills levy on local growth plans under section 39
(1) The Secretary of State must publish a report on the impact of the growth and skills levy on local growth plans produced by mayoral strategic authorities under section 39 and schedule 20 of this Act.
(2) The report under subsection (1) must consider whether the elements of the delivery of the levy should be devolved to strategic authorities to support delivery of local growth plans.
(3) The Secretary of State must publish a report under this section within 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed, and annually thereafter.”

136

Schedule 20, page 225, line 13, at end insert—
“(1A) In the preparation and delivery of local growth plans, a mayoral combined authority must—
(a) consult with residents in its area of responsibility, taking reasonable means to ensure consideration of their view, and
(b) consult and co-produce such plans with a representative group of the relevant public, private and third sector organisations in the authority’s area of responsibility.”

137

Schedule 20, page 225, line 22, at end insert—
“(d) address socio-economic disadvantage for those who live and work in the strategic authority’s area of responsibility,
(e) promote and support local entrepreneurship, local productivity and business development, particularly, among those of lower socio-economic backgrounds, or residing in areas facing socio-economic disadvantage, and
(f) require the strategic authority to support and promote innovation in business, research and development in partnership with universities, education providers and public sector institutions.”

138

Schedule 20, page 225, line 22, at end insert—
“(d) identify the spatial development implications required to meet the employment, industrial, commercial and logistic growth opportunities identified in the local growth plan;”

This amendment would identify the projects needed to be included in a spatial development strategy to support growth.

139

Schedule 20, page 225, line 22, at end insert—
“(d) identify the infrastructure projects required to meet the growth priorities and spatial development implications of employment-related growth opportunities.”

This amendment would ensure that the infrastructure projects needed to support growth are identified.

141

Schedule 20, page 225, line 22, at end insert—
“(2A) The mayoral combined authority must include amongst the projects identified measures that will promote growth through the safeguarding and promotion of existing cultural, creative, and community infrastructure such as grassroots music venues, theatres and other live performance spaces.”

This amendment, connected with another in the name of Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, seeks to ensure that local growth plans include provision about cultural venues.

142

Schedule 20, page 227, line 14, at end insert—
“(1A) In the preparation and delivery of local growth plans, a mayoral CCA must—
(a) consult with residents in its area of responsibility, taking reasonable means to ensure consideration of their view, and
(b) consult and co-produce such plans with a representative group of the relevant public, private and third sector organisations in the authority’s area of responsibility.”

143

Schedule 20, page 227, line 23, at end insert—
“(d) address socio-economic disadvantage for those who live and work in the strategic authority’s area of responsibility,
(e) promote and support local entrepreneurship, local productivity and business development, particularly among those of lower socio-economic backgrounds, or residing in areas facing socio-economic disadvantage.”

146

Schedule 20, page 227, line 23, at end insert—
“(2A) The mayoral CCA must include amongst the projects identified measures that will promote growth through the safeguarding and promotion of existing cultural, creative, and community infrastructure such as grassroots music venues, theatres and other live performance spaces.”

This amendment, connected with another in the name of Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, seeks to ensure that local growth plans include provision about cultural venues.

148

Clause 42, page 41, leave out lines 35 to 39

This probing amendment seeks to understand why the provision is limited solely to current employees of a constituent council of a combined authority, and does not extend to other employers participating in the LGPS. It aims to explore the rationale for excluding staff of housing associations, admitted bodies, and other local employers who play a significant role in the community, and to question whether this distinction is justified or creates unnecessary inconsistency within the scheme.

149

Clause 42, page 42, leave out lines 1 to 4

This probing amendment seeks to explore the workability and functionality of the duty requiring a combined authority to assist in identifying or developing LGPS investment opportunities, and to test concerns that such a requirement would place the authority in conflict with the scheme manager’s fiduciary responsibilities, which must remain independent and solely focused on the interests of scheme members.

150

Clause 42, page 42, leave out lines 11 to 14

This probing amendment seeks to probe the workability of the provision requiring scheme managers to participate in an asset pool company either as shareholders or through mandatory contracts. The intention is to test how this provision affects scheme managers’ flexibility and their fiduciary duties to act solely in the interests of scheme members, as well as whether participation in asset pool companies is appropriate for all funds or future pooling arrangements.

151

Clause 42, page 42, line 12, at end insert—
“(ab) being a shareholder in another company which is the only shareholder of the company, or”

This reflects changes to the definition of an asset pool company in the Pension Schemes Bill.

152

Clause 42, page 42, line 16, leave out “(7)” and insert “(9)”

This reflects a numbering change in the Pension Schemes Bill.

153

Clause 42, page 42, leave out lines 38 to 40

This probing amendment seeks to clarify the form and mechanism through which administering authorities would be expected to put forward local investment opportunities identified within their asset pools. It aims to test how such opportunities would be presented, assessed, and communicated in practice, and whether the Bill provides sufficient clarity to ensure that any process operates consistently with scheme managers’ fiduciary duties and existing LGPS governance structures.

154

Clause 42, page 43, line 8, at end insert—
“(ab) being a shareholder in another company which is the only shareholder of the company, or”

This reflects changes to the definition of an asset pool company in the Pension Schemes Bill.

155

Clause 42, page 43, line 12, leave out “(7)” and insert “(9)”

This reflects a numbering change in the Pension Schemes Bill.

156

Clause 42, page 44, line 1, at end insert—
“(ab) being a shareholder in another company which is the only shareholder of the company, or”

This reflects changes to the definition of an asset pool company in the Pension Schemes Bill.

157

Clause 42, page 44, line 5, leave out “(7)” and insert “(9)”

This reflects a numbering change in the Pension Schemes Bill.

158

Clause 44, page 44, line 27, after the first “to” insert “the level of public access to fitness, sports and recreational facilities within the authority’s area, and”

162

Clause 44, page 45, line 8, at end insert “such as affordability and accessibility of childcare”

168

After Clause 44, insert the following new Clause—
“Mayoral functions: advertising
(1) Within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must make regulations to enable mayors and local authorities to carry out functions relating to the display of advertising.
(2) Such regulations must—
(a) transfer or otherwise provide for the exercise of powers under section 220 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (regulations controlling display of advertisements) to mayors and local authorities, and
(b) provide that such functions include—
(i) a duty to consider the impact of advertisements on public health, and
(ii) the regulation of content of advertisements deemed to have an adverse impact on local health or likely to exacerbate inequalities in health outcomes.
(3) Regulations under this section may amend provision made by or under an Act passed—
(a) before this Act, or
(b) later in the same session of Parliament as this Act.
(4) Regulations under this section are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

This new clause would provide mayors and local authorities with the power to regulate advertising, and include duties on their use of that power in relation to public health and health inequalities.

170

Clause 45, page 49, line 37, at end insert—
“(c) arrange for the deputy mayor for fire and rescue to exercise one or more of the Mayor’s fire and rescue authority functions.”

This amendment requires a Mayor with Fire and Rescue Authority functions to delegate those functions to a Deputy Mayor for Fire and Rescue, ensuring governance arrangements parallel to those for policing.

172

Schedule 23, page 259, line 7, at end insert—
“Matters outside the scope of Inspections
4A In section 28 (inspectors), after subsection (A8) insert—
“(A8A) When carrying out an inspection under subsection (A3) of a mayoral combined authority, or mayoral CCA, in its capacity as a fire and rescue authority by virtue of section 1(2)(f) or (g), an English inspector must not review or scrutinise decisions made, or other action taken, in connection with the discharge of an excluded mayoral FRA function.
(A8B) For the purposes of subsection (A8A), the following are excluded mayoral FRA functions in relation to a mayoral combined authority, or mayoral CCA, in its capacity as a fire and rescue authority—
(a) the issuing of a community risk management plan;
(b) the variation of priorities and objectives set out in a community risk management plan;
(c) the allocation of the draft or actual budget for fire and rescue functions in relation to any financial year;
(d) the function of appointing, suspending or dismissing the chief fire officer;
(e) the function of holding the chief fire officer to account for the exercise of—
(i) the functions which are delegated to the chief fire officer; and
(ii) the functions of persons under the direction and control of the chief fire officer;
(f) the function of approving a pay policy statement prepared for the purposes of section 38 of the Localism Act 2011;
(g) the function of approving arrangements to enter into a reinforcement scheme under section 13;
(h) the function of approving arrangements with other employers of firefighters under section 15;
(i) the function of approving arrangements under section 16;
(j) the function of approving plans, modifications to plans and additions to plans for the purpose of ensuring that—
(i) so far as is reasonably practicable, the mayoral combined authority, or mayoral CCA, is able to continue to perform its fire and rescue functions if an emergency occurs; and
(ii) the mayoral combined authority, or mayoral CCA, is able to perform its functions so far as necessary or desirable for the purpose of preventing an emergency, or reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency, or taking other action in connection with it;
(k) the function of approving any arrangements for the co-operation of the mayoral combined authority, or mayoral CCA in relation to its fire and rescue functions with other general Category 1 responders and general Category 2 responders in respect of—
(i) the performance of the mayoral combined authority’s, or mayoral CCA’s, duty as a fire and rescue authority under section 2 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004; and
(ii) any duties under subordinate legislation made in exercise of powers under that Act.
(A8C) In subsection (A8B)—
“community risk management plan” has the same meaning as in Schedule ZA1;
“emergency” has the meaning given in section 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 for Part 1 of that Act;
“general Category 1 responder” means a person who falls within Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004;
“general Category 2 responder” means a person who falls within Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004;
“priorities and objectives” has the same meaning as in Schedule ZA1.””

This would provide for matters which inspectors of fire and rescue authorities may not review or scrutinise when inspecting mayoral combined authorities or CCAs which are fire and rescue authorities.

173

Schedule 23, page 259, line 27, at end insert—
“Local Government Finance Act 1988
5A (1)The Local Government Finance Act 1988 is amended in accordance with this paragraph.
(2)In section 114 (functions of responsible officer as regards reports), in subsection (4)(b)—
(a)in sub-paragraph (iiic), omit the final “and”;
(b)after sub-paragraph (iiic) insert—
(iiid)a mayoral FRA, the relevant scrutiny body (and here “mayoral FRA” and “relevant scrutiny body” have the same meanings as in Schedule ZA1 to the Fire and Rescue Act 2004), and”.
(3)In section 115 (authority’s duties as regards reports)—
(a)after subsection (1BA) insert—
(1BB)In the case of a report made by the chief finance officer of a mayoral FRA (which in this section has the same meaning as in Schedule ZA1 to the Fire and Rescue Act 2004), that mayoral FRA must consider the report and decide whether the mayoral FRA agrees or disagrees with the views contained in the report and what action (if any) the mayoral FRA proposes to take in consequence of it.”;
(b)in subsection (1E), after “section 4A fire and rescue authority” insert “, the mayoral FRA”;
(c)after subsection (1FA) insert—
(1FB)As soon as practicable after the mayoral FRA has prepared a report under subsection (1E), the mayoral FRA must arrange for a copy of the report to be sent to—
(a)the chief finance officer;
(b)the person who at the time the report is made has the duty to audit the authority’s accounts; and
(c)each member of the relevant scrutiny body (which has the same meaning as in Schedule ZA1 to the Fire and Rescue Act 2004).”;
(d)in subsection (2), after “section 4A fire and rescue authority” insert “, a mayoral FRA”.
Local Government and Housing Act 1989
5B (1)The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 is amended in accordance with this paragraph.
(2)In section 67(3) (meaning of “local authority” in Part 5), after paragraph (h) insert—
(ha)a mayoral combined authority (which has the same meaning as in Part 6 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 — see section 107A(8) of that Act) in its capacity as a fire and rescue authority by virtue of section 1(2)(f) or (g) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004;
(hb)a mayoral CCA (which has the same meaning as in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 — see section 27(8) of that Act) in its capacity as a fire and rescue authority by virtue of section 1(2)(f) or (g) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004;”
(3)In section 155(4) (local authorities that can receive emergency financial assistance), after paragraph (ha) insert—
(hb)a mayoral combined authority (which has the same meaning as in Part 6 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 — see section 107A(8) of that Act) in its capacity as a fire and rescue authority by virtue of section 1(2)(f) or (g) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004;
(hc)a mayoral CCA (which has the same meaning as in Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 — see section 27(8) of that Act) in its capacity as a fire and rescue authority by virtue of section 1(2)(f) or (g) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004;”

This would bring mayoral combined authorities or CCAs that are fire and rescue authorities within sections 114 and 155 of the Local Government Finance Act 1989 and Part 5 and section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

174

Clause 50, page 55, line 31, after “the” insert “GLA and the”

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.

175

Schedule 24, page 260, line 32, leave out “2 to 4” and insert “1A to 4P”

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.

176

Schedule 24, page 260, line 32, at end insert—
“1A In section 3 (licensing authorities), after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) In this Act, “London licensing authority” means each of the following licensing authorities—
(a) the council of a London borough,
(b) the Common Council of the City of London,
(c) the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple, or
(d) the Under-Treasurer of the Middle Temple.””

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.

177

Schedule 24, page 261, leave out lines 6 to 11

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers of the Mayor of London.

178

Schedule 24, page 261, leave out lines 17 to 19

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.

179

Schedule 24, page 263, line 6, at end insert—
“4A In section 13 (authorised persons and responsible authorities), in subsection (4), after paragraph (ha), insert—
“(hb) where the premises are situated in Greater London, the Greater London Authority,”.
4B After section 17 insert—
“17A Licence applications of potential strategic importance: Greater London
(1) A London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the Greater London Authority of any application made to it under section 17 that is a relevant licence application.
(2) A “relevant licence application” is an application for a premises licence in Greater London which would authorise the premises to be used for one or more of the following activities—
(a) the sale by retail of alcohol;
(b) the provision of regulated entertainment;
(c) the provision of late night refreshment.
(3) The Greater London Authority must give notice to each interested party if the Authority considers that the relevant licence application is an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London.
(4) On receipt of a notice under subsection (3), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the determination of the Greater London Authority.
(5) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (4) is to be made.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (3),“application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” is to be interpreted in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(7) In this section, an “interested party” in relation to an application means—
(a) the London licensing authority that the application was made to;
(b) the applicant;
(c) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates.”
4C In section 18 (determination of application for premises licence), after subsection (9) insert—
“(9A) Where a London licensing authority is to hold a hearing in accordance with subsection (3) in relation to an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London, the authority must give to the Greater London Authority—
(a) in advance of the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period;
(b) following the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period.
(9B) In subsection (9A)—
“application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means a licence application that has been notified to the London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 17A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.”
4D In section 22 (prohibited conditions: plays), in subsection (2)—
(a) the words from “a licensing authority” to the end become paragraph (a);
(b) after that paragraph, insert
“or,
(b) the Mayor of London directing a London licensing authority under section 25C(1)(a)(i) or (b)(i), or section 41ZB(1)(a) or (c) to impose conditions which the Mayor considers appropriate on the grounds of public safety.”
4E In section 23 (grant or rejection of application)—
(a) after subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) Where an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London is granted with no steps taken under section 18(4)(a) to (c) in relation to the licence, the relevant licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to that effect to the Greater London Authority.
(2B) Subsection (2A) does not apply if the Greater London Authority made relevant representations in respect of the application.”;
(b) in subsection (4), after “this section” insert—
““application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means a licence application that has been notified to a London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 17A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;”
4F In section 24 (form of licence and summary), after subsection (2)(f), insert—
“(g) if it is issued on a direction from the Mayor of London, specify this.”
4G After section 25A insert—
“Power of Mayor of London to determine licence applications
25B Power of the Mayor of London to determine applications
(1) This section applies where on an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London a London licensing authority—
(a) grants a premises licence having taken one or more of the steps under section 18(4)(a) to (c) in relation to the licence, or
(b) rejects the application to grant a premises licence under section 18(4)(d).
(2) The London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the applicant and the Greater London Authority of—
(a) its decision to grant the premises licence and the reasons for its decision to take steps under section 18(4)(a) to (c) in relation to the licence, or
(b) its decision to reject the application under section 18(4)(d) and the reasons for doing so.
(3) But the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application does not otherwise have effect unless and until the Mayor of London gives notice under subsection (6) of a decision under subsection (5)(b).
(4) Accordingly, the London licensing authority must not take any steps under this Act in relation to the decision (including giving notice under section 23) unless and until such a notice is given.
(5) The Mayor of London must by the end of the specified period decide—
(a) to give a direction to the London licensing authority in relation to the application (see section 25C), or
(b) that the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application is to have effect for the purposes of this Act (and, accordingly, any requirements in relation to that decision now apply).
(6) The Mayor of London must give notice of the Mayor’s decision under subsection (5) to—
(a) each interested party;
(b) any person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 18.
(7) On receipt of a notice under subsection (6), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the decision of the Mayor.
(8) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (7) is to be made.
(9) In this section—
“application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means an application that has been notified to a London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 17A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;
“interested party” has the same meaning as in section 17A;
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
25C Directions by the Mayor of London
(1) Where section 25B(5)(a) applies the Mayor of London must direct the London licensing authority—
(a) to grant the licence in accordance with the application subject only to—
(i) such conditions as are consistent with the operating schedule accompanying the application, and
(ii) any conditions which must under section 19, 20 or 21 be included in the licence;
(b) to grant the licence subject to—
(i) the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i)with permitted modifications, and
(ii) any condition which must under section 19, 20 or 21 be included in the licence;
(c) to grant the licence in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b), but to also do one or both of the following—
(i) exclude from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities which were excluded by the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application under section 18;
(ii) refuse to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor where the London licensing authority refused to specify that person in their decision in relation to the application under section 18;
(d) to reject the application.
(2) The London licensing authority must grant the licence or reject the application in accordance with the direction given under subsection (1).
(3) When giving a direction under this section the Mayor must have regard to—
(a) the licensing policy statement published by the Mayor under section 8A, and
(b) the importance of promoting the licensing objectives.
(4) Directions under subsection (1)(a) or (b) may have the effect of requiring a premises licence to be granted subject to different conditions in respect of—
(a) different parts of the premises concerned;
(b) different licensable activities.
(5) A direction under this section must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving the direction.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i) the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i) are modified if any of them is altered or omitted or any new condition is added.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i), a modification to a condition is “permitted” if—
(a) it is a modification specified in the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application under section 18, or
(b) in the Mayor’s opinion it is less restrictive than that modification.
25D Issue of licence etc by licensing authority
(1) A London licensing authority that grants a licence on a direction under section 25C(1)(a) to (c) must as soon as possible—
(a) give notice that the licence is granted to—
(i) the applicant,
(ii) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(iii) any person who made relevant representations under section 18 in respect of the application, and
(iv) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated, and
(b) issue the applicant with the licence and a summary of it.
(2) A London licensing authority that rejects an application on a direction under section 25C(1)(d) must as soon as possible give notice that the application is rejected to—
(a) the applicant,
(b) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(c) any person who made relevant representations under section 18 in respect of the application, and
(d) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated.
(3) A notice under subsection (1) or (2) must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving the direction as notified to the London licensing authority under section 25C(6).”
4H After section 34 insert—
“34A Applications to vary of potential strategic importance: Greater London
(1) A London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the Greater London Authority of any application made to it under section 34 that is a relevant application.
(2) A “relevant application” is an application to vary a premises licence in Greater London where the premises are, or would after the variation be, used for one or more of the following activities—
(a) the sale by retail of alcohol;
(b) the provision of regulated entertainment;
(c) the provision of late night refreshment.
(3) The Greater London Authority must give notice to each interested party if the Authority considers that the relevant application is an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London.
(4) On receipt of a notice under subsection (3), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the determination of the Greater London Authority.
(5) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (4) must be made.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (3) “application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London” is to be interpreted in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(7) In this section, an “interested party” in relation to an application means—
(a) the London licensing authority that the application was made to;
(b) the applicant;
(c) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates.”
4I In section 35 (determination of application under section 34), after subsection (7) insert—
“(8) Where a London licensing authority is to hold a hearing in accordance with subsection (3) in relation to an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London, the authority must give to the Greater London Authority—
(a) in advance of the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period;
(b) following the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period.
(9) In this section—
“application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means an application to vary a premises licence that has been notified to the London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 34A(3);
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.”
4J After section 41 insert—
“Power of Mayor of London to determine applications to vary
41ZA Power of the Mayor of London to determine applications to vary
(1) This section applies where, on an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London, a London licensing authority—
(a) grants an application to vary a premises licence in whole under section 35 and modifies the conditions of the licence under subsection (4)(a) of that section,
(b) rejects an application to vary a premises licence in whole under section 35(4)(b), or
(c) rejects an application to vary a premises licence in part under section 35(4)(b) (whether with or without modifying the conditions of the licence).
(2) The London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the applicant and the Greater London Authority of—
(a) its decision to grant the application and modify the conditions of the licence and the reasons for doing so,
(b) its decision to reject the whole of the application and the reasons for doing so, or
(c) its decision to reject part of the application with or without modifying the conditions of the licence and the reasons for doing so.
(3) But the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application does not otherwise have effect unless and until—
(a) the Mayor of London gives notice under subsection (6) of a decision under subsection (5)(b), or
(b) the obligations on the Mayor of London under this section or section 41ZB cease to apply (see section 41ZC).
(4) Accordingly, the London licensing authority must not take any steps under this Act in relation to the decision (including taking steps under section 56) unless and until the circumstances in subsection (3)(a) or (b) apply.
(5) The Mayor of London must by the end of the specified period decide—
(a) to give a direction to the London licensing authority in relation to the application (see section 41ZB), or
(b) that the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application is to have effect for the purposes of this Act (and, accordingly, any requirements in relation to that decision now apply).
(6) The Mayor of London must give notice of the Mayor’s decision under subsection (5) to—
(a) each interested party;
(b) any person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 35.
(7) On receipt of a notice under subsection (6), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the decision of the Mayor.
(8) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (7) must be made.
(9) In this section—
“application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means an application to vary a premises licence that has been notified to the London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 34A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;
“interested party” has the same meaning as in section 34A;
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
41ZB Directions by the Mayor of London
(1) Where section 41ZA(5)(a) applies the Mayor of London must direct the London licensing authority—
(a) to grant the application in whole with or without such permitted modifications to the conditions of the licence as may be specified in the direction,
(b) to reject the application in whole, or
(c) to grant part of the application with or without such permitted modifications to the conditions of the licence as may be specified in the direction (and to reject the other part of the application).
(2) The London licensing authority must grant or reject the application in accordance with the direction given under subsection (1).
(3) Subsection (1)(a) and (c) are subject to sections 19 to 21 (which require certain conditions to be included in premises licences).
(4) A direction under this section may not require a licence to be varied so as—
(a) to extend the period for which the licence has effect, or
(b) to vary substantially the premises to which it relates.
(5) Directions given under this section may have the effect of requiring a premises licence to be varied so as to have effect subject to different conditions in respect of—
(a) different parts of the premises concerned;
(b) different licensable activities.
(6) When giving a direction under this section the Mayor must have regard to—
(a) the licensing policy statement published by the Mayor under section 8A, and
(b) the importance of promoting the licensing objectives.
(7) A direction under this section must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving that direction.
(8) In this section, “application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London” has the meaning given in section 41ZA(9).
(9) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) and (c), the conditions are modified if any of them is altered or omitted or any new condition is added.
(10) For the purposes of subsection (1), a modification to a condition is “permitted” if—
(a) it is a modification specified in the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application under section 35, or
(b) in the Mayor’s opinion it is less restrictive than that modification.
41ZC Intervening decision by a London licensing authority
(1) The obligations on the Mayor of London under section 41ZA(5) or 41ZB in relation to an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London cease to apply if the conditions in subsection (2) are met in relation to the obligation in question.
(2) The conditions in this subsection are met if—
(a) the London licensing authority that made the decision under section 35 in relation to the application to vary the premises licence has, before the relevant time, made an intervening decision in relation to the licence, and
(b) the authority has given notice of that decision to the Mayor of London.
(3) In this section, an “intervening decision” means a decision—
(a) to take any of the steps under section 52(4) on an application for review of the licence;
(b) to take any of the steps under section 53C(3) on an application by a senior police officer for review of the licence;
(c) to take any of the steps under section 167(6) on a review of the licence following a closure order.
(4) The “relevant time” for the purposes of subsection (2)(a)—
(a) in relation to the obligation to make a decision under section section 41ZA(5), is the time at which the Mayor makes the decision,
(b) in relation to an obligation to give a direction under section 41ZB, is the time at which a direction is so given.
41ZD Notification by the London licensing authority
(1) A London licensing authority that grants an application (or any part of an application) on a direction under section 41ZB must as soon as possible give notice to that effect to—
(a) the applicant,
(b) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(c) any person who made relevant representations in respect of the application, and
(d) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated.
(2) The notice under subsection (1) must—
(a) specify the time when any variation takes effect, and
(b) specify any modifications to conditions of the licence.
(3) The time for the purposes of subsection (2) is the time specified in the application or, if that time is before the applicant is given notice under this section, such later time as the London licensing authority specifies in the notice.
(4) A London licensing authority that rejects an application (or any part of an application) on a direction under section 41ZB must as soon as possible give notice to that effect to—
(a) the applicant,
(b) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(c) any person who made relevant representations in respect of the application, and
(d) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated.
(5) A notice under subsection (1) or (4) must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving the direction as notified to the London licensing authority under section 41ZB(7).”
4K In section 54 (form of applications and notices)—
(a) in paragraph (a), after “form” insert “or content”;
(b) after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba) the period within which it is to be made or given;”.
4L In section 56 (licensing authority’s duty to update licence document), in subsection (1), after paragraph (a) insert—
“(aa) a London licensing authority, in relation to a premises licence, is subject to a direction under section 41ZB (directions by Mayor of London),”
4M In section 181 (appeals against decisions of licensing authorities)—
(a) in the heading, after “licensing authorities” insert “or the Mayor of London”;
(b) in subsection (1), after “licensing authorities” insert “or the Mayor of London”;
(c) in subsection (2), in the opening words, after “licensing authority” insert “or the Mayor of London”;
(d) in subsection (2)(b), after “authority” insert “or (as the case may be) the Mayor”;
(e) in subsection (2)(c), after “authority” insert “or (as the case may be) the Mayor”.
4N In section 185 (provision of information)—
(a) in subsection (1)—
(i) the words from “information which” to the end become paragraph (a);
(ii) after that paragraph insert
“, and
(b) information which is held by or on behalf of the Mayor of London in connection with the Mayor’s functions under this Act.”;
(b) in subsection (2)—
(i) at the end of paragraph (a) omit “or”;
(ii) at the end of paragraph (b) insert
“or
(c) to the Mayor of London,”;
(iii) in the closing words, after “functions” insert “or the Mayor’s functions”;
(c) in subsection (3), for “or responsible authority” substitute “, responsible authority or the Mayor of London”.
4P In Schedule 5 (appeals)—
(a) after paragraph 1 insert—
“1A Where the Mayor of London gives a direction to a London licensing authority—
(a) to reject an application for a premises licence under section 25C, or
(b) to reject (in whole or in part) an application to vary a premises licence under section 41ZB,
the applicant may appeal against the direction.”;
(b) after paragraph 2 insert—
“2A (1)This paragraph applies where the Mayor of London gives a direction to a London licensing authority under section 25C to grant a premises licence.
(2)The holder of the licence may appeal against the following aspects of any such direction—
(a)to impose conditions on the licence under subsection (1)(a)(i) of that section;
(b)to impose conditions on the licence under subsection (1)(b)(i) of that section;
(c)to exclude licensable activities from the scope of the licence;
(d)to refuse to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor.
(3)A person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 18 may appeal against the Mayor’s direction to grant the licence on the following basis—
(a)that the licence ought not to have been granted, or
(b)that the direction ought to have imposed different or additional conditions under section 25C(1)(b)(i), or to have taken a step mentioned in section 25C(1)(c)(i) or (ii).”
(c) in the heading of paragraph 4, after “35” insert “or 41ZB”;
(d) after paragraph 4 insert—
“4A (1)This paragraph applies where the Mayor of London gives a direction to a London licensing authority under section 41ZB to grant an application to vary a premises licence (in whole or in part).
(2)The applicant may appeal against any direction under that section to modify the conditions of the licence.
(3)A person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 35 may appeal against the Mayor’s direction to grant the application on the following basis—
(a)that any variation made ought not to have been made, or
(b)that, when directing the licence to be varied, the Mayor ought not to have directed that permitted modifications be made to the conditions of the licence, or ought to have directed that different permitted modifications be made to the conditions.
(4)In sub-paragraph (3), “permitted modifications” has the meaning given in section 41ZB(10).”
(e) in paragraph 9—
(i) in sub-paragraph (2), for the words from “the day” to the end substitute—
“(a) on an appeal under paragraph 1A, 2A or 4A, the day on which the appellant was notified of the outcome of the direction appealed against, and
(b) on any other appeal under this Part, the day on which the appellant was notified by the licensing authority of the decision appealed against.”;
(ii) after sub-paragraph (3) insert—
(3A)On an appeal under paragraph 2A(3) or 4A(3), the holder of the premises licence is to be the respondent in addition to the Mayor of London.””

This amendment inserts provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to give the Mayor of London the power to make a new determination on applications to grant or vary premises licences in Greater London if the Mayor considers that the application is of potential strategic importance to Greater London.

180

Schedule 24, page 263, line 8, leave out “2 to 4” and insert “1A to 4P”

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.

181

Schedule 24, page 263, leave out lines 17 to 30

This amendment is consequential on the amendment in my name inserting new provisions into the Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London.

182

Schedule 25, page 266, line 13, at end insert—
“(ea) the London Local Authorities Joint Committee;”

This amendment requires the Secretary of State to consult the London Local Authorities Joint Committee (established by another amendment in Lord Harris of Haringey’s name) before making regulations under paragraph 3 of Schedule 25 to the Bill.

183

Schedule 25, page 266, line 26, at end insert—
““London Local Authorities Joint Committee” means the committee established under section (London Local Authorities Joint Committee).”

This amendment is connected to another amendment to Schedule 25 in Lord Harris of Haringey’s name, requiring the Secretary of State to consult the London Local Authorities Joint Committee before making regulations under paragraph 3 of Schedule 25 to the Bill.

185

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Functions of strategic authorities
For each function devolved to a strategic authority, the Secretary of State must ensure that the corresponding function ceases to be exercisable by any Minister of the Crown or government department, save insofar as is necessary for limited national oversight or compliance with international obligations.”

This new clause ensures that there is not a doubling up of powers being devolved yet the delivery function (and funding) is retained in Whitehall.

186

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Powers of strategic authorities
Before new powers are conferred on a strategic authority, the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the strategic authority has a plan which will improve local services, drive efficiency and improve cost effectiveness.”

This amendment seeks to ensure that before changes are made, each strategic authority has a plan to ensure improved services and value for money for the tax payer.

187

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Duty to ensure public trust and financial transparency
(1) The mayor for the area of a combined authority or combined county authority must take reasonable steps to ensure that information regarding the authority’s financial affairs, including its annual budget, significant expenditure, and financial performance, is made accessible to local communities in a clear and understandable manner.
(2) The mayor must publish a policy setting out how the combined authority or combined county authority will engage with local communities on its financial priorities and major spending decisions, and review this policy periodically.”

This new clause requires mayors of CAs and CCAs to ensure that financial information is accessible and understandable to local communities.

188

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Social mobility monitoring and reporting
(1) In their delivery of functions under this Act, strategic authorities must consult with the Social Mobility Commission on how to collect meaningful and robust evidence of social mobility outcomes as a result of devolution arrangements.
(2) Social mobility data collected by strategic authorities under subsection (1) must be broken down by socio-economic background, and must include information regarding—
(a) occupation,
(b) educational attainment, and
(c) income.”

189

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Social mobility monitoring and reporting (No. 2)
(1) The Secretary of State must publish an annual report to assess the actions taken by strategic authorities to improve social mobility and address socio-economic disadvantage.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) the Secretary of State must consult the Social Mobility Commission in preparing the report.”

190

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Fiscal devolution
(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed, lay before Parliament proposals for the devolution of fiscal powers to local authorities and combined authorities in England.
(2) Proposals under subsection (1) must include provision for—
(a) the assignment or devolution of revenue-raising powers,
(b) increased flexibility over the setting and use of local taxes and charges, and
(c) multi-year financial settlements to support long-term local decision-making.
(3) In preparing proposals under this section, the Secretary of State must consult local authorities, combined authorities, and such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.”

This new clause would require the Secretary of State to bring forward proposals for fiscal devolution, including greater local revenue-raising powers, tax flexibility, and longer-term funding settlements.

191

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Local public accounts committees
(1) Within one year of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the establishment of a public accounts committee in each mayoral strategic authority area (“local public accounts committees”).
(2) Regulations made under this section must—
(a) make provision relating to the membership of local public accounts committees, including appointment, tenure, and arrangements for chairing of committees;
(b) make provision about support for local public accounts committees by the relevant local audit services;
(c) empower local public accounts committees to require the provision of information from all providers of public services in the mayoral strategic authority area;
(d) make provision about the functions of local public accounts committees, including the power of the committees to report on the effectiveness with which—
(i) mayoral strategic authorities exercise any of their functions;
(ii) any local partners exercise functions on behalf of the strategic mayoral authority;
(iii) any local partners collaborate with the mayoral strategic authority;
(iv) local public service partners (as defined by section (Duty of local service partners to cooperate) of this Act) collaborate.
(3) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
(4) For the purposes of this section, “local partner” has the meaning given in section 17B of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (as inserted by section 21 of this Act).”

This amendment seeks to introduce Local Public Accounts Committees within one year of this Act coming into force. LPACs would ensure scrutiny and accountability across the whole of the local public service spending and activity.

197

After Clause 58, insert the following new Clause—
“Duty to review parish and town councils
(1) It is the duty of the Secretary of State to review parish and town councils in England to assess their number, functions, and effectiveness in local governance.
(2) In carrying out that duty, the Secretary of State must, in particular, take steps to ensure maximal geographical coverage of parish and town councils as a form of local democratic representation.
(3) The Secretary of State must, annually, lay a report before each House of Parliament on the discharge of the duty under subsection (1), including any action taken or proposed to achieve the purpose in subsection (2).”

This amendment requires the Secretary of State to review parish and town councils and take steps to maximise their geographical coverage, with an annual report to Parliament.

198

Schedule 27, page 283, line 10, leave out “or remained”

The Local Government Act 2000 does not provide for a local authority to pass a resolution to retain the Committee system and so this provision does not need to deal with such a resolution.

199

Schedule 27, page 283, line 11, after “resolution” insert “under this Part”

This would make clear that a resolution to change to the committee system must be provided for by Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000.

200

Schedule 27, page 283, line 36, after “resolution” insert “under this Part”

This would make clear that a resolution to change to the committee system must be provided for by Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000.

201

Schedule 27, page 283, line 37, leave out “or remained”

The Local Government Act 2000 does not provide for a local authority to pass a resolution to retain the Committee system and so this provision does not need to deal with such a resolution.

202

Schedule 27, page 286, line 16, leave out paragraph 6

205

Clause 60, page 61, line 27, at end insert—
“(2A) In making regulations under subsection (2), it is the general duty of the Secretary of State to ensure that such regulations promote the role, involvement, and authority of locally elected councils in the governance of neighbourhood areas.
(2B) It is also the general duty of the Secretary of State, in making regulations under subsection (2), to encourage local decision-making as close as practicable to the neighbourhoods affected.”

206

Clause 60, page 61, line 27, at end insert—
“(2A) Regulations made under subsection (2) must secure that, where one or more parish or town councils exist within a neighbourhood area, any neighbourhood governance body established for that neighbourhood area includes at least one representative of those parish or town councils.
(2B) Regulations made under subsection (2) must secure that a representative included by virtue of subsection (2A) is entitled to participate in the proceedings of the neighbourhood governance body on the same basis as other members.
(2C) Where no parish or town council exists within a neighbourhood area, regulations made under subsection (2) must secure that appropriate alternative provision is made for democratic and community representation for that area.”

This amendment requires regulations made under Clause 60 to ensure that, where parish or town councils exist within a neighbourhood area, they are represented on any neighbourhood governance body established for that area.

207

Clause 60, page 61, line 32, at end insert—
“(aa) that structures under paragraph (a) must, wherever reasonably practicable, retain and strengthen the role and functions of existing Town and Parish Councils in securing effective neighbourhood governance;”

This amendment would secure the continuing role of Town and Parish Councils in providing effective neighbourhood governance.

208

Clause 60, page 61, line 39, at end insert—
“(e) about the means by which effective community engagement and the empowerment of neighbourhoods in relation to decisions affecting their area may be realised.”

This amendment would secure that community empowerment is key to effective neighbourhood governance.

211

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause—
“Local Government Act 2000: repeal of section 87
(1) The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows.
(2) Omit section 87 (power to change years in which elections are held).
(3) In section 88 (separate power to make incidental provisions) omit “or 87” in both places it occurs.”

This new Clause repeals section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000, removing the Secretary of State’s power to alter the years in which ordinary local government elections are held by secondary legislation.

212

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause—
“Changes to years in which ordinary elections are held
In the Local Government Act 2000, for section 87 substitute—
“87 Changes to years in which ordinary elections are held
(1) The years in which ordinary elections of councillors of any local authority are to be held may be changed only by an Act of Parliament.
(2) No provision may be made under this Act enabling the Secretary of State or any other person to change the years in which ordinary elections of councillors are to be held by order, regulations or other delegated legislation.””

This new Clause removes the delegated power in section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000 and replaces it with a requirement that any change to the years in which ordinary local elections are held must be made by primary legislation.

213

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause—
“Mayoral election: alternative vote system
(1) Within three months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the use of the alternative vote system in elections of mayors.
(2) Regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.”

This new clause would require the introduction of the Alternative Vote System for elections of mayoral elections within three months.

217

After Clause 62, insert the following new Clause—
“Full council meetings: specified day
(1) The Secretary of State may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, specify dates and times when local authorities in England must hold their full council meetings.
(2) The power in subsection (1) may only be exercised following consultation with the Local Government Association.
(3) Regulations made under this section are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”

218

After Clause 62, insert the following new Clause—
“Local authorities: meetings
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations establish arrangements where, in circumstances specified in those regulations, a meeting of a local authority is not limited to a meeting of persons who are all present in the same place.
(2) Circumstances specified may include circumstances affecting—
(a) individual councillors, such as illness or disability, or
(b) a council as a whole, such as adverse weather or flooding.
(3) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.”

This amendment seeks to ensure that local authorities can hold council meetings online, for example if travelling to the council chamber was made difficult by heavy snowfall or flooding.

219

After Clause 62, insert the following new Clause—
“Voting by proxy: local councillors
(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision to allow councillors of local authorities to vote by proxy.
(2) Regulations under this section under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
(3) Regulations may include provision about—
(a) eligibility to vote by proxy,
(b) appointment and verification of proxies,
(c) the form and manner of proxy voting, and
(d) any other matters the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient to facilitate proxy voting.
(4) Regulations under this section may make different provision for different types of local authority, or for different classes of councillor, if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate.”

220

After Clause 62, insert the following new Clause—
“Remote participation by councillors in local authority meetings
(1) The Secretary of State must lay regulations to make provision to enable councillors of local authorities to participate in meetings remotely within three months of the day on which this Act is passed.
(2) For the purposes of this section, “remotely” means participating in proceedings by electronic or other communication technology that allows councillors to contribute to the proceedings as if attending in person.
(3) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
(4) Regulations may include provision about—
(a) the form and manner of remote participation,
(b) voting rights and procedures while participating remotely,
(c) access to information and documents for councillors participating remotely, and
(d) any other matters the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient for remote participation.
(5) Regulations under this section may make different provision for different types of local authority, or for different classes of councillor, if the Secretary of State considers it appropriate.”

222

After Clause 63, insert the following new Clause—
“Agent of change: integration of new development with existing businesses and facilities
(1) In this section—
“agent of change principle” means the principle requiring planning policies and decisions to ensure that new development can be integrated effectively with existing businesses and community facilities so that those businesses and facilities do not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of developments permitted after they were established;
“development” has the same meaning as in section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (meaning of “development” and “new development”);
“licensing functions” has the same meaning as in section 4(1) of the Licensing Act 2003 (general duties of licensing authorities);
“provision of regulated entertainment” has the same meaning as in Schedule 1 to the Licensing Act 2003 (provision of regulated entertainment).
(2) In exercising any functions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or any licensing functions concerning development which is or is likely to be affected by an existing business or facility, a local authority shall have special regard to the agent of change principle.
(3) An application for development within the vicinity of any premises licensed for the provision of regulated entertainment shall contain a noise impact assessment.
(4) In determining whether noise emitted by or from an existing business or community facility constitutes a nuisance to a residential development, the decision-maker shall have regard to—
(a) the chronology of the introduction of the relevant noise source and the residential development, and
(b) what steps have been taken by the developer to mitigate the entry of noise from the existing business or facility to the residential development.”

This amendment would place a duty on local authorities to have regard to the agent of change principle when exercising development or licensing functions.

236

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause—
“Local authority responsibility for cattle grids
(1) Within three months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must, by regulations, make provision to ensure that local authorities have primary responsibility for the maintenance and oversight of cattle grids in their local authority area.
(2) Regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution procedure.”

243

Clause 74, page 70, line 20, at end insert—
“(3) In performing its functions, the Local Audit Office must pay immediate regard to and investigate any issues concerning risk management identified by audit committees established under section 33A.”

244

Clause 75, page 72, leave out lines 5 to 23

This is a probing amendment designed to understand why the Government proposes creating a Local Audit Office to maintain a register of audit providers if the LAO will also have the power to designate another organisation as the external registration body responsible for holding such a register.

245

Clause 75, page 72, leave out lines 20 to 23

This amendment removes the LAO’s ability to charge fees.

246

Clause 75, page 74, leave out lines 5 to 11

This probing amendment removes the clause to seek clarity on why the Local Audit Office should be given powers to form, acquire interests in, or provide financial or other assistance to audit firms. The intention is to understand the rationale for allowing the regulator to act as a market participant.

247

Clause 75, page 74, line 19, at end insert—
“(4) Where the Office decides to carry out local audits under this Act, it must comply with all statutory requirements and professional auditing standards applicable to local audit providers under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
(5) In particular, the Office must ensure that its audit practice is subject to the same regime of independent supervision, inspection and enforcement as applies to private firms approved to undertake local audits, including those arrangements overseen by the Financial Reporting Council and recognised supervisory bodies.
(6) The Office must ensure that no part of its audit practice is exempt from the quality assurance, regulatory oversight or enforcement mechanisms that apply to any other local audit provider.”

This amendment seeks to ensure that, if the Local Audit Office elects to carry out local authority audits itself, its audit work will be subject to the same standards, scrutiny and independent oversight as apply to private firms undertaking local audits.

248

Clause 76, page 75, line 7, at end insert—
“(1A) The specific individual who acts as the Key Audit Partner (KAP) for a local council audit must rotate off the engagement after a maximum of 10 years.”

This amendment introduces a maximum ten-year rotation period for the individual acting as the Key Audit Partner (KAP) on a local council audit completed by the LAO.

249

Clause 79, page 79, line 20, after “resources” insert “are planned to be used or”

250

Clause 79, page 79, line 24, at the end insert—
“and making such reports and recommendations public where the audit committee concludes that it would be in the public interest to do so.”

251

After Clause 85, insert the following new Clause—
“Review of the Act
(1) The Secretary of State must—
(a) carry out a review of the operation and effect of this Act,
(b) set out the conclusions of the review in a report,
(c) publish the report, and
(d) lay a copy of the report before Parliament.
(2) The report must be published before the end of the period of five years beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
(3) The report must, in particular—
(a) assess the extent to which the objectives intended to be achieved by this Act have been achieved, and
(b) assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved more effectively in any other way.
(4) In carrying out the review, the Secretary of State must publish an invitation for interested parties to make submissions on the operation of the Act.”

252

After Clause 85, insert the following new Clause—
“Review of local and community banking powers
(1) The Secretary of State must undertake a review of the powers available to local authorities and combined authorities to support local economic growth through banking and credit provision.
(2) The review must, in particular, consider—
(a) the regulatory, supervisory and authorisation framework governing the establishment and operation of local, community and publicly owned banks,
(b) the extent to which local authorities and combined authorities may establish, support, participate in, or otherwise facilitate public or community banking institutions, and
(c) the impact of bank credit creation and allocation on—
(i) local and regional economic growth,
(ii) access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises,
(iii) infrastructure investment, and
(iv) regional economic inequalities.
(3) In conducting the review, the Secretary of State must assess whether existing legislative, regulatory or institutional arrangements inhibit the effective devolution of powers relating to local economic development.
(4) The review must include recommendations for reform which the Secretary of State considers appropriate to support local economic growth and to advance the objectives of this Act.
(5) The Secretary of State must publish a report of the review and lay it before Parliament within 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed.”

253

After Clause 85, insert the following new Clause—
“Review of regional and national public spending
(1) The Secretary of State must undertake a review of the levels of public spending available to the regions of England, and to local authorities and combined authorities, with a view to ensuring that all parts of England have sufficient potential for investment.
(2) The review must—
(a) examine the allocation of public funds across regions, and between local and combined authorities;
(b) identify any regional disparities in funding that negatively impact on particular areas;
(c) consider whether the current distribution of spending allows all areas adequate capacity to invest in public services and infrastructure;
(d) identify any measures that could improve equity and effectiveness in the distribution of funding.
(3) The Secretary of State must lay a report on the findings of the review before Parliament no later than six months after the day on which this section comes into force.”

254

After Clause 85, insert the following new Clause—
“Review of market impacts of rent review provisions
(1) The Secretary of State must, within the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which section 85 comes into force, carry out a review of the impact of the rent review provisions introduced by that section.
(2) The review must, in particular, consider the impact of those provisions on—
(a) the operation and efficiency of the commercial property market,
(b) levels of investment in commercial property,
(c) the supply and availability of business tenancies,
(d) rent-setting behaviour, including the setting of initial rents and alternative rent review mechanisms,
(e) landlord and tenant behaviour, including decisions to grant, renew, or terminate business tenancies, and
(f) the availability and terms of longer-duration commercial leases.
(3) The Secretary of State must prepare and publish a report setting out the findings of the review.
(4) The Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after completing the review.”

255

After Clause 85, insert the following new Clause—
“Duty relating to community empowerment
(1) Within one year beginning on the date on which this Act is passed, and each year thereafter, the Secretary of State must publish and lay before Parliament a report assessing the effectiveness of Part 5 of the Localism Act 2011 (Community empowerment).
(2) The report must—
(a) consider the effectiveness of the provisions in Part 5 of the Localism Act 2011 against the criteria in subsection (3), and
(b) set out a plan for better meeting those criteria, including potential legislative provision.
(3) The criteria are, in relation to people in England—
(a) access to a clean and healthy environment;
(b) access to land or space to play, roam, and swim;
(c) access to land for food growing;
(d) the ability to contribute to and challenge decisions made at a local level;
(e) access to, use of, and ability to propose acquisition of assets of community value.
(4) Within the period of 21 days beginning on the day on which a Report is published under this section, a Minister of the Crown must move a motion in the House of Commons that the House has considered the Report.
(5) In reckoning any period of 21 days under subsection (4), no account is taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or during which the House of Commons is adjourned for more than four days.”

This new clause would require the Government to report annually on the effectiveness of community empowerment measures under the Localism Act 2011. It requires that Ministers assess how well communities can access land, green space, and local decision-making mechanisms. The report must include plans to strengthen these rights, including potential new legislation.

256

After Clause 85, insert the following new Clause—
“Repeal of uncommenced local government provisions
(1) The following provisions are repealed—
(a) Schedule 8(20) to the Localism Act 2011 (regional strategies amendments to the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009);
(b) section 50(2), (3) and (7) of the Commons Act 2006 (schemes under the Commons Act 1899);
(c) section 69 of the Local Government Act 2003 (removal of power to prescribe rateable values);
(d) Schedule 27(68) to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (consequential VAT amendments).
(2) The repeals made by this section do not affect—
(a) the operation of any enactment amended or repealed by the provisions listed in subsection (1), or
(b) the continued force of any other provision of the Acts referred to in subsection (1).”

This new clause repeals a number of local government-related statutory provisions that have never been commenced and therefore have no legal effect. These provisions would have repealed or amended other enactments but were never brought into force. Their removal is a technical and housekeeping measure intended to tidy the statute book without making any substantive policy change.

260

Clause 89, page 85, line 11, at end insert—
“(A1) Before making any regulations under this Act, the Secretary of State must publish an assessment of the impact of this Act on rural areas, including its costs and benefits.”

261

Clause 92, page 87, line 19, leave out paragraphs (z2) and (z3)

This is consequential on the amendment of clause 92(6) which would provide for sections 62 and 73 and Schedule 30 to come into force two months after royal assent.

262

Clause 92, page 88, line 21, at end insert—
“(z1) section 62 (publication of addresses of members etc in authority registers);
(z2) section 73 (and Schedule 30) (extension of general power of competence to English National Park authorities and the Broads Authority).”

This would provide for sections 62 and 73 and Schedule 30 to come into force two months after royal assent.

264

Clause 92, page 88, line 24, at end insert “save that any provision of this Act which has not otherwise come into force shall do so on the fifth anniversary of the day on which this Act is passed.”

This amendment allows the Secretary of State to commence the Act by regulations but ensures that provisions contained in an Act of Parliament are implemented within a timeframe unless revoked by accordant legislation.

265

Clause 92, page 88, line 26, leave out “regulations” and insert “secondary legislation”

This would make subsection (8) consistent with subsection (1)(c) (so that they both refer to the wider concept of “secondary legislation”).

266

Clause 93, page 88, line 36, leave out “Devolution and Community Empowerment” and insert “Delegation and Local Authority Functions”

This amendment changes the title of the Bill to more accurately reflect its provisions related to the rebalancing between central and local governments.

267

Title, line 2, leave out “councils” and insert “authorities”

This would change the long title of the Bill to refer to “local authorities” instead of “local councils”. This would reflect the inclusion of clause 73 and Schedule 30 in the House of Commons (which relate to National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority).

115A

Schedule 9, page 157, line 28, at end insert—
“(1C) The key route network must consist only of classified numbered roads carrying strategic motor traffic.”

This amendment ensures that the highways or proposed highways that constitute the KRN are genuinely strategic.

115B

Schedule 9, page 158, line 25, at end insert—
“(1C) The key route network must consist only of classified numbered roads carrying strategic motor traffic.”

This amendment ensures that the highways or proposed highways that constitute the KRN are genuinely strategic.

121A

Schedule 10, page 173, line 15, at end insert—
“Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
22 Section 32 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (power of local authorities to provide parking places) is amended as follows.
23 After subsection (2), insert—
“(2A) A local transport authority or designated upper-tier local authority outside Greater London may prohibit pavement parking in their local area and may exempt individual streets.
(2B) Prohibitions under subsection (2A) may—
(a) exempt certain vehicles, or
(b) allow pavement parking in specified circumstances.
(2C) The Secretary of State may, by regulations, set out the process by which local transport authorities or designated upper-tier local authorities should exercise their powers under subsections (2A) and (2B) and may require them to conduct a consultation.
(2D) The Secretary of State may issue guidance on the provision of pavement parking by local transport authorities or designated upper-tier local authorities.
(2E) Prohibitions made under subsection (2A) may be enforced by civil enforcement officers employed by the local transport authority or designated upper-tier local authority.
(2F) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (2C) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.””

165A

Clause 44, page 45, line 14, at end insert—
“(f) the degree of ease or difficulty with which persons have access to high quality wheelchair and community equipment provision,”

This amendment would include wheelchair and community equipment provision in the list of ‘general health determinants’ that authorities need to have regard to as a cause of health inequality.

196A

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Mayoral special advisers
(1) A mayor may appoint mayoral special advisers.
(2) A “mayoral special adviser” is a person (“P”) who holds a position within a mayoral strategic authority and whose appointment to that position meets the requirements in subsection (3).
(3) The requirements are—
(a) P is appointed to assist the Mayor after being selected by the Mayor personally;
(b) the appointment will end not later than—
(i) the day on which the Mayor ceases to hold office, or
(ii) if earlier, the end of the day after the day of the poll at the election following the appointment.
(4) A mayor making any mayoral special adviser appointments must—
(a) prepare an annual report about mayoral special advisers serving, and
(b) lay the report before the relevant Strategic Authority.
(5) An annual report made on mayoral special advisers must contain information about the number and cost of the mayoral special advisers.
(6) The pay and remuneration of mayoral special advisers should be determined by the mayor with reference to the responsibilities of the role, experience of the candidate and allowances scheme for commissioners.
(7) The Secretary of State must publish a code of conduct for mayoral special advisers (“the code”).
(8) Before publishing the code (or any revision of it) the Secretary of State must consult the mayors of strategic authorities.
(9) The code must provide that a mayoral special adviser may not—
(a) authorise the expenditure of public funds, or
(b) exercise any power in relation to the management of any part of the mayoral or strategic authority.
(10) The code must provide that a mayoral special adviser may—
(a) engage in political activity, and
(b) provide party-political advice to the Mayor.
(11) The code must form part of the terms and conditions of service of any mayoral special adviser.
(12) A person appointed under this section is not to be regarded, for the purposes of Part I of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (political restriction of officers and staff), as holding a politically restricted post under a local authority.”

This new clause would insert a new section allowing mayors to appoint special advisers, to require mayors to publish an annual report on costs of any mayoral special adviser appointments they make and to have reference solely to the pay scales for commissioners and responsibilities of the role before making any decisions on their remuneration. It also extends these provisions to Greater London.

196B

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Local accounting officers
(1) Within one year beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the establishment of local accounting officers in each established mayoral strategic authority area.
(2) Regulations made under this section must—
(a) make provision for the Head of Paid Service in an established mayoral strategic authority to be the principal local accounting officer responsible for the value for money of mayoral strategic authority spending, including any monies given by the Secretary of State,
(b) make provision for the scrutiny of the local accounting officer within a strategic authority area by relevant local scrutiny bodies,
(c) make provision for the designation of other members of staff as additional accounting officers.
(3) The principal local accounting officer has—
(a) in relation to the accounts of the established mayoral strategic authority, and
(b) in relation to the performance by persons designated as accounting officers in pursuance of any provision of this Act of their responsibilities as accounting officers,
the responsibilities which are from time to time specified by the Treasury.
(4) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.”

This new clause would require the introduction of local accounting officers, including the designation of the Head of Paid Service in established mayoral strategic authorities to create local accountability for spend and allow places to innovate subject to local value for money considerations and scrutiny by relevant bodies and responsibilities set out by the Treasury. This is modelled on Devolved Administration processes.

223A

Schedule 29, page 296, line 37, after “economic” insert “, environmental”

This amendment and another in my name to Schedule 29 seek to extend the community right to buy to include assets that further the environmental wellbeing of local communities, alongside economic and social benefits; provided that the land is not allocated otherwise for the local development plan.

224A

Schedule 29, page 296, line 38, after “economic” insert “, environmental”

This amendment and another in my name to Schedule 29 seek to extend the community right to buy to include assets that further the environmental wellbeing of local communities, alongside economic and social benefits; provided that the land is not allocated otherwise for the local development plan.

235A

Clause 65, page 64, line 16, leave out “may” and insert “must”

This probing amendment, and others in the name of Lord Borwick, seeks to ensure that the Secretary of State makes regulations related to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within six months of the day on which this Act is passed.

235B

Clause 65, page 64, line 17, at end insert “, which must require taxis to conform with minimum taxi accessibility requirements under section 160(1) to (3) of the Equality Act 2010 within three years of the day on which such regulations are made.”

This amendment, and another in the name of Lord Borwick, seeks to commence section 160(1) to (3) of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to minimum taxi accessibility requirements, and ensure that the standards prescribed under clause 65 of this Bill conform with those taxi accessibility requirements in the Equality Act 2010.

235C

After Clause 68, insert the following new Clause—
“Minimum accessibility requirements for taxis
(1) In section 160(1) of the Equality Act 2010 (taxi accessibility regulations), after “regulations”)” insert “which must be adhered to in the prescribing of standards for the licensing of taxis under section 65 (standards relating to the grant of a regulated licence) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.”
(2) The Secretary of State must, by regulations under section 216(3) of the Equality Act 2010, commence section 160(1) to (3) (taxi accessibility regulations) of that Act on the day on which this Act is passed.”

This amendment, and another in the name of Lord Borwick, seeks to commence section 160(1) to (3) of the Equality Act 2010 in relation to minimum taxi accessibility requirements, and ensure that the standards prescribed under clause 65 of this Bill conform with those taxi accessibility requirements in the Equality Act 2010.

235D

Clause 71, page 68, line 21, at end insert—
“(A1) The Secretary of State must make regulations under section 65 within six months of the day on which this Act is passed.”

This probing amendment, and others in the name of Lord Borwick, seeks to ensure that the Secretary of State makes regulations related to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within six months of the day on which this Act is passed.

241A

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause—
“Local Authority Social Media Strategies
(1) A local authority must prepare and publish a social media strategy.
(2) The strategy must set out—
(a) how the local authority intends to use individual social media platforms,
(b) governance and oversight arrangements for social media use, and
(c) arrangements for review of the strategy.
(3) The strategy must include a risk assessment addressing—
(a) risks relating to misinformation and disinformation,
(b) risks to public trust and confidence, and
(c) risks relating to data protection, information security, and the use of automated or algorithmic tools.”

This amendment would require local authorities to publish a social media strategy, including a risk assessment, setting out how the authority and its elected officials intend to use individual social media platforms.

260A

Clause 92, page 86, line 18, leave out subsection (3)

This probing amendment, and others in the name of Lord Borwick, seeks to ensure that the Secretary of State makes regulations related to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within six months of the day on which this Act is passed.

261A

Clause 92, page 87, line 20, at end insert—
“(z2a) section 64 (“national minimum standard” and “regulated licence”);
(z2b) section 65 (standards relating to the grant of a regulated licence);
(z2c) section 66 (standards relating to the suspension or revocation of a regulated licence);
(z2d) section 67 (standards relating to the renewal of a regulated licence);
(z2e) section 68 (further provision about standards);
(z2f) section 69 (guidance);
(z2g) section 70 (relationship with existing licensing legislation);
(z2h) section 71 (regulations);
(z2i) section 72 (interpretation);”

This probing amendment, and others in the name of Lord Borwick, seeks to ensure that the Secretary of State makes regulations related to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within six months of the day on which this Act is passed.

114A

After Clause 26, insert the following new Clause—
“Parking charges and strategic authorities: restriction of powers
(1) In section 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (designation of paying parking places on highways), after subsection (1A) insert—
“(1B) A combined county authority or strategic mayoral authority may not make an order under subsection (1).”
(2) In section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994 (financial provisions relating to designation orders), after subsection (9) insert—
“(9A) A combined county authority or strategic mayoral authority may not undertake any activity provided for under this section.””

This amendment seeks to prevent mayors of CCAs from increasing charges or penalties for vehicle parking, and from using proceeds of those charges, to ensure local communities maintain control of these matters and cannot be imposed upon.

120A

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause—
“Workplace Parking Levy: mayoral authority
(1) The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 184(1) (confirmation of licensing schemes), after “national authority“ insert “or strategic authority mayor”.
(3) In section 185 (licensing schemes: consultation and inquiries)—
(a) in subsection (3), after “national authority” insert “or established strategic authority mayor”;
(b) in subsection (4), after “national authority” insert “or established strategic authority mayor”.
(4) In section 198(1) (interpretation of part 3), after the definition of “road”, insert ‘“strategic authority mayor” has the meaning given by the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026”.”

This new clause seeks to allow an established strategic authority mayor to approve a workplace parking levy in their area, rather than requiring Secretary of State approval.

120B

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause—
“Mayors as authorities on Transport and Work Act 1992 Orders
(1) The Transport and Works Act 1992 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 1 (orders as to railways, tramways etc.)—
(a) in subsection (1)—
(i) for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(ii) omit “, so far as it is in England and Wales”;
(b) after subsection (1), insert—
“(1ZA) In this Part, “relevant authority” means—
(a) in relation to an order for a scheme located in England & Wales, the Secretary of State;
(b) in relation to an order for a scheme wholly located in the area of a mayoral combined authority, the elected Mayor of that authority or the Secretary of State, and, where relevant and without limitation, provisions of this Act are to be construed—
(i) to allow applications under section 1 or 3 to be made to and determined by either the Secretary of State or the elected Mayor except that once an application is made, that application must be determined by the authority which has received the application, and
(ii) to permit an elected Mayor to carry out functions in relation to such an application or determination which would have otherwise been carried out by the Secretary of State on the date this Act came into force, excluding any power to make regulations or rules under this Act or any power under section 23 (Exercise of Secretary of State’s functions by appointed person) of this Act.”
(3) In section 3 (orders as to inland waterways etc.)—
(a) in subsection (1), for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(b) in subsection (2)—
(i) for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(ii) for “his” substitute “its”.
(4) In section 5 (subject-matter of orders under sections 1 and 3)—
(a) for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(b) in subsection (4)(b), for “him” substitute “it”.
(5) In section 6 (applications for orders under sections 1 and 3)—
(a) in subsection (1) for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(b) in subsection (1), for “him” substitute “it”;
(c) in subsection (4), for “he” substitute “it”;
(d) in subsections (3) and (7), for each reference to “relevant authority” substitute, “relevant body”.
(6) In section 6A (cases where Member States are affected), in subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c) and (2)(a), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute, “relevant authority”.
(7) In section 9 (schemes of national significance)—
(a) except in subsection (6), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(b) in subsection (1)—
(i) for “he” substitute “it”;
(ii) for “his” substitute “its”.
(8) In section 10 (objections)—
(a) except in subsection (1), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(b) in subsections (3) and (5) for “he” substitute “it”.
(9) In section 11 (inquiries and hearings)—
(a) for subsection (1) substitute—
“(1) The relevant authority may cause a public local inquiry to be held for the purposes of an application under section 6 above and the Secretary of State may cause a public inquiry to be held for the purposes of a proposal by the Secretary of State to make an order by virtue of section 7 above.”;
(b) in subsections (2) and (3), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”.
(10) In section 13 (making or refusal of orders under section 1 or 3: general)—
(a) in subsection (1)—
(i) for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(ii) for the first “he” substitute “the Secretary of State”;
(iii) for the second “he” substitute “the relevant authority”;
(b) in subsections (2) to (4)—
(i) for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(ii) for each reference to “he” substitute “it”;
(iii) for reach reference to “him” substitute “it”;
(iv) for each reference to “his” substitute “its”.
(11) In sections 13A (environmental impact assessment: definitions) to 13D (application or proposal for an EIA order: time limit), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”.
(12) In section 14 (publicity for making or refusal of orders)—
(a) except in subsections (4A) and (5), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(b) for each reference to “he” substitute “it”; c. for each reference to “him” substitute “it”.
(13) In section 14A (compulsory acquisition: notice requirements)—
(a) in subsection (7)(b) for the first reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”;
(b) in subsection (8), in the definition of “appropriate national authority” for the first reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”.”

This amendment seeks to give promoters the option to apply to mayors for a Transport and Work Act Order in addition to the Secretary of State.

120C

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause—
“Mayors as authorities on Transport and Work Act 1992 Orders: consequential amendments
(1) In section 90(2A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (development with government authorisation), for “Secretary of State” substitute “person making the order”.
(2) In section 12(2A) of the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 for “Secretary of State” substitute, “person making the order”.
(3) Section 12 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (reference of certain applications to Secretary of State) is amended as set out in subsections (4) to (6).
(4) In subsection (3A), for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”.
(5) After subsection (3A) insert—
“(3B) In subsection (3A) “relevant authority” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Transport and Works Act 1992.”
(6) After subsection (4B) insert—
“(4C) Subsection (4) does not apply to an application referred to the Welsh Ministers under this section instead of being dealt with by a local planning authority in Wales.””

This amendment is consequential on another amendment in Lord Bassam of Brighton’s name, which seeks to give promoters the option to apply to mayors for a Transport and Work Act Order in addition to the Secretary of State.

120D

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause—
“Implementing a Vision Zero programme
Strategic authorities must work with bus service providers, trade unions, professional bodies, and appropriate training institutions to implement a Vision Zero programme within the bus sector, modelled on best practice in the industry, with the aim of eliminating serious injuries in the course of bus operations.”

120E

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause—
“Bus safety performance data
In the Transport Act 2000, after section 144 insert—
“144ZA Bus safety performance data
(1) Strategic authorities must publish bus safety performance data online every quarter at a minimum.
(2) Every calendar year, strategic authorities must submit bus safety performance data to an independent auditor to assess the data’s accuracy.
(3) The independent auditor carrying out an assessment under subsection (2) must publish a report on the data which must be made available on the strategic authority’s website.””

159A

Clause 44, page 45, leave out lines 5 to 17 and insert—
“(a) availability and standards of housing, transport services or public safety,
(b) environmental factors, including air quality, noise pollution, and access to green space and bodies of water,
(c) educational opportunities and attainment, employment prospects, earning capacity and any other matters that affect levels of prosperity,
(d) the degree of ease or difficulty with which persons have access to public services, including retail, education, health, employment and leisure/entertainment destinations,
(e) the use of, level of use of, or exposure to, tobacco, alcohol or other substances, and any other matters of personal behaviour or lifestyle, including physical activity and diet, that are or may be harmful to health,
(f) social and structural conditions, including social class, gender, race, ethnicity and any other characteristics or forms of social inequality that influence exposure to advantage or disadvantage;
and any other matters that are determinants of life expectancy or the state of health of persons generally.”

This amendment seeks to bring the list of health detriments in line with academic research.

196C

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Business rates supplement: mayoral authority
(1) The Business Rate Supplements Act 2009 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 2 (levying authorities), for (1)(b) and (c), substitute—
“(b) an established mayoral authority in England;”
(3) In section 4, omit paragraph (1)(c).
(4) In section 10, omit—
(a) subsection (2)(c);
(b) subsection (10);
(c) subsection (11).
(5) In Schedule 1, omit paragraphs 19 and 20.”

This new clause seeks to allow an established mayoral authority in England to levy a Business Rates Supplement. It would remove the ability of county and district councils in England to act as a levying authority and would remove the existing requirement for such a supplement to be approved by referendum.

196D

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause—
“Strategic authority duty: community-based bodies
(1) In exercising its functions, a strategic authority must take reasonable steps to work with local and community-based bodies operating within its area.
(2) In this section, “local and community-based bodies” include—
(a) parish and town councils,
(b) voluntary and community sector organisations, and
(c) other bodies representing the interests of local communities.”

209A

Clause 60, page 62, line 4, at end insert—
“(4A) Regulations under this section must not—
(a) confer on any neighbourhood governance structure (including but not limited to neighbourhood area committees and any equivalent bodies established by or under those regulations) any power, authority, function or status that overrides or takes precedence over the statutory powers, functions, duties, finances, governance or operational independence of any parish or town council established under Part IV of the Local Government Act 1972 (or any successor enactment);
(b) limit, constrain, abrogate or otherwise diminish any statutory power, function, duty, financial autonomy or governance responsibility of any such parish or town council;
(c) abolish, merge, dissolve, or alter the constitution, electoral arrangements or any statutory function of any such parish or town council, except where such abolition, merger, dissolution or alteration is expressly authorised by an Act of Parliament.
(4B) In exercising the power to make regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must—
(a) consult representatives of parish and town councils, including appropriate national associations, and
(b) have special regard to the need to preserve the independence, financial autonomy and status as the primary tier of local government of parish and town councils in any area where they exist.
(4C) In this section “parish or town council” means a council established under Part IV of the Local Government Act 1972 or any successor enactment.”

This amendment would ensure that regulations made under Clause 60 to secure “effective neighbourhood governance” cannot be used to elevate new neighbourhood structures above existing parish and town councils or to erode their statutory powers, financial autonomy or governance responsibilities. It would also prevent such regulations being used to abolish or restructure parish and town councils and require consultation with their representative bodies with a view to preserving their independence and primacy where they exist.

216A

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause—
“Changes to years in which ordinary elections are held
(1) The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 87 (power to change years in which elections held)—
(a) in subsection (1), at beginning insert “In cases of national emergency,”;
(b) after subsection (1), insert—
“(1A) In all other circumstances, the Secretary of State may, by order, make provision which changes the years in which the ordinary elections of councillors of any specified local authority are to be held but which does not change the scheme which prevails (whether by virtue of an order under section 86 or otherwise) for the ordinary elections of those councillors.
(1B) Proposals for orders under subsection (1A) must be laid before Parliament no less than six months before the ordinary date of the election.
(1C) Draft orders must be laid before Parliament for approval no less than three months before the ordinary date of the election.
(1D) Prior to making an order under subsection (1A), the Secretary of State must consult each principal council and Member of Parliament in the affected area.”
(3) In section 105 (orders and regulations)—
(a) in subsection (5), after “(6)” insert “, (6ZA)”;
(b) after subsection (6), insert—
“(6ZA) Regulations under section 87(1A) are subject to the super-affirmative procedure as defined by section 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.””

This amendment seeks to enable full Parliamentary scrutiny of proposals to cancel local elections with a timetable to provide certainty for candidates and parties to prepare for the election.

216B

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause—
“Changes to time of mayoral elections
(1) The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 9HB (time of elections etc)—
(a) in subsection (1)(a), at end insert “, subject to subsections (2) and (3)”;
(b) at end insert—
“(2) Proposals for regulations made under the super-affirmative procedure as required by section 105(6ZA) must be laid before Parliament no less than six months before the ordinary date of the election and draft regulations must be laid before Parliament for approval no less than three months before the ordinary date of the election.
(3) Prior to making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult each principal council and Member of Parliament in the affected area.”
(3) In section 105 (orders and regulations)—
(a) in subsection (5), after “(6)” insert “, (6ZA)”;
(b) after subsection (6), insert—
“(6ZA) Regulations under section 9HB(1)(a) are subject to the super-affirmative procedure as defined by section 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 unless they are being made in cases of national emergency.””

This amendment seeks to enable full Parliamentary scrutiny of proposals to change timing of mayoral elections with a timetable to provide certainty for candidates and parties to prepare for the election.

216C

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause—
“Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011: changes to election years
(1) The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 50 (ordinary elections)—
(a) in subsection (4), after “But,” insert “in cases of national emergency,”;
(b) after subsection (5), insert—
“(5A) In circumstances which are not cases of national emergency, the Secretary of State may, by order, make provision which changes the years in which the election of police and crime commissioners are to be held.
(5B) Proposals for orders under subsection (5A) must be laid before Parliament no less than six months before the ordinary date of the election.
(5C) Draft orders must be laid before Parliament for approval no less than three months before the ordinary date of the election.
(5D) Prior to making an order under subsection (5A), the Secretary of State must consult each principal council and Member of Parliament in the affected area.”
(3) In section 154 (orders and regulations), after subsection (2), insert—
“(2A) A statutory instrument containing orders under section 50(5A) is subject to the super-affirmative procedure as defined by section 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.””

This amendment seeks to enable full Parliamentary scrutiny of proposals to change timing of police and crime commissioner elections with a timetable to provide certainty for candidates and parties to prepare for the election.

235ZA

Schedule 29, page 311, line 28, at end insert—
“(9A) Where —
(a) there is disagreement between the owner of the land and the preferred community buyer regarding the market value as determined by the valuer,
(b) the asset of community value is in danger of being lost, or
(c) the owner of the asset is unwilling to sell,
the relevant local authority must use their power under section 226 of the Planning Act 1990 to acquire compulsorily the relevant asset of community value, and pay the market value of the asset in accordance with section 14A of the Land Compensation Act 1961.”

235BA

After Clause 67, insert the following new Clause—
“Enforcement of private hire vehicles
(1) A licensing authority may exercise enforcement functions in respect of any private hire vehicle operating within its area, regardless of the licensing authority by which the vehicle is licensed.
(2) The enforcement functions referred to in subsection (1) include, in particular—
(a) stopping and inspecting a private hire vehicle;
(b) requiring the production of any licence, permit, record or other document required to be held in connection with the operation of the vehicle or the activities of the driver;
(c) conducting compliance checks for the purpose of determining whether—
(i) the vehicle is licensed, insured and roadworthy, and
(ii) the driver is licensed and authorised to operate the vehicle;
(d) taking such enforcement action as is available to the authority under this Act.
(3) “Licensing authority” in this section means a public authority which has licensing functions under—
(a) Part 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976;
(b) the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998;
(c) the Plymouth City Council Act 1975.”

This amendment enables a relevant local transport enforcement authority to carry out enforcement checks on any private hire vehicle operating in its area, irrespective of the licensing authority by which the vehicle is licensed.

235CA

After Clause 68, insert the following new Clause—
“Strategic authorities: joint committee for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles
(1) Within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must, by regulations, require all strategic authorities to establish a joint committee for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within a strategic authority’s area.
(2) Joint committees established under subsection (1) must be comprised of councillors from the authorities represented by the strategic authority and within the geographic area of the elected mayor.
(3) The Secretary of State must ensure joint committees established under subsection (1) have the power to—
(a) grant,
(b) suspend,
(c) revoke, and
(d) renew
regulated licences for taxis and private hire vehicles.
(4) All decisions related to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within a strategic authority’s area must be made by the joint committee, unless the joint committee has delegated licensing power to another licensing authority.
(5) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.”

This amendment seeks to clarify the democratic oversight of the licensing function, because it is designated to transport authorities and in combined mayoral areas the transport function is assigned to the combined authority.

235CB

After Clause 68, insert the following new Clause—
“Private hire vehicle licensing
(1) The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 55A (sub-contracting by operators), in subsection (1), at the beginning insert “Subject to section 55AB”.
(3) After section 55A (sub-contracting by operators), insert—
“55AB Bookings that both start and end within a single strategic authority area
(1) Only a person licensed under section 55 (licensing of operators of private hire vehicles) in respect of a controlled district within the relevant strategic authority area may provide a vehicle to carry out a booking for a private hire vehicle for a regulated strategic authority journey.
(2) A person licensed under section 55 who has in a controlled district accepted a booking for a private hire vehicle must arrange for another person to provide a vehicle to carry out the booking if—
(a) the journey is a regulated strategic authority journey;
(b) the controlled district in relation to which their licence is issued is not situated within the relevant strategic authority area.
(3) A person licensed under section 55 (“A”) who has accepted a booking for a private hire vehicle for a regulated strategic authority journey may not arrange in accordance with section 55A(1) for a person licensed outside of the same controlled district (“B”) to provide a vehicle to carry out the booking if B is not licensed in respect of a controlled district within the relevant strategic authority area.
(4) A London PHV operator or an operator licensed in Scotland who has accepted a private hire booking for a regulated strategic authority journey, must arrange for a person who is licensed under section 55 of this Act in respect of a controlled area within that strategic authority to provide the vehicle for that booking.
(5) Where a person licensed under section 55 in respect of a controlled district is licensed under section 55 in respect of more than one controlled district each of those licences is to be treated as being held by a different person.
(6) The provisions of this section do not apply to bookings for specialist private hire services.
(7) If any person knowingly contravenes the provisions of this section, they are guilty of an offence and are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.”
(4) In section 80 (interpretation of Part II) after the definition for “public service vehicle” insert—
““regulated strategic authority journey” means a journey that both—
(a) starts in a controlled district, and
(b) starts and ends in a single strategic authority area;
“specialist private hire services” means any category of service that the Secretary of State may specify by regulations;
“strategic authority” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026;
“strategic authority area” shall mean the geographic area for which a strategic authority has been established or designated;””

This new clause would introduce a “license where you operate” model, requiring that journeys that start and end within a single strategic authority area are fulfilled by locally licensed operators.

235CC

After Clause 68, insert the following new Clause—
“Private hire vehicle licensing
(1) The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 3A (London PHV operator's licences for persons subject to immigration control), insert—
“3B Bookings that both start and end within London
(1) Only a person who holds a London PHV operator’s licence may provide a vehicle to carry out a private hire booking for a journey that both starts and ends within London except where the booking is for specialist private hire services.
(2) A person who contravenes this section is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
(3) “Specialist private hire services” means any category of service that the licensing authority may specify by regulations.”
(3) In section 5 (hirings accepted on behalf of another operator), after subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Where the first operator has accepted a private hire booking for a journey that both starts and ends within London, they may not arrange for another operator to provide a vehicle to carry out that booking as sub-contractor unless—
(a) the other operator is a London PHV operator, and
(b) the sub-contracted booking is accepted at an operating centre in London,
except where the booking is for specialist private hire services.”
(4) In section 5 (hirings accepted on behalf of another operator), after subsection (5) insert—
“(6) An operator that is licensed under section 55 of the 1976 Act by a district council or an operator licensed in Scotland and who has accepted a private hire booking for a journey that both starts and ends within London, may not arrange for another operator to carry out that booking unless—
(a) the other operator is a London PHV operator, and
(b) the sub-contracted booking is accepted at an operating centre in London,
except where the booking is for specialist private hire services.
(7) An operator who contravenes subsection (6) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.””

235E

Clause 72, page 68, line 35, after “means” insert “—
(a) a joint committee established under section (Strategic authorities: joint committee for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles), or”

This amendment is related to another amendment in Lord Blunkett’s name, which seeks to establish joint committees for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles in strategic authority areas.

241B

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause—
“Duty to deliver on the environment and climate change
Strategic authorities, mayoral, or local authorities must, in the exercise of their functions, and when delivering on areas of competence in section 2, take all reasonable steps to contribute to—
(a) the achievement of targets set under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008;
(b) the achievement of biodiversity targets set under sections 1 to 3 of the Environment Act 2021;
(c) adapting to any current or predicted impacts of climate change identified in the most recent report under section 56 of the Climate Change Act 2008.”

This amendment would ensure that local government was aligned with the Government’s national targets for climate change and the environment, and give them a duty to advance progress towards meeting them.

261B

Clause 92, page 87, line 23, after “(6)” insert “, (6A)”

This amendment is connected to the proposal to add subsection (6A).

263A

Clause 92, page 88, line 21 at end insert—
“(6A) section (Private hire vehicle licensing) comes into force at the end of a period of three years beginning on the day on which this Act is passed.”

This amendment is connected to the proposal to add a new clause on private hire vehicle licensing and is designed to ensure that the restriction on out of area operation is introduced as early as possible whilst allowing time for drivers, whose licences are generally issued for a period of three years to re-licence in the area in which they predominantly operate should they wish to do so.

216D

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause—
“Election communication
(1) Any person standing for election as a mayor or as a member of a local authority must provide the relevant returning officer, when they submit their nomination, with details of how the candidate may, conveniently and without charge, be contacted by electors, and the returning officer must arrange for that information to be made public.
(2) The returning officer must make available to candidates an address at which correspondence addressed to the candidate may be left.”

This amendment would require certain candidates to provide electors with a means of contacting them, as opposed to the current situation where electors often have no means of contacting candidates.

120EA

After Clause 30, insert the following Clause—
“Passenger rail services
(1) The Railways Act 1993 is amended as follows.
(2) In section 30 (1A), at end insert “or by entering into an agreement with a Passenger Transport Executive accountable to an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority, for the carriage of passengers by railway, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Railways Act 2005.””

This amendment would provide the Secretary of State with the flexibility to agree the provision of passenger services with Passenger Transport Executives as part of a further devolution of functions to EMSA.

159B

Clause 44, page 45, line 5, before “standards” insert “availability and”

This amendment and others to clause 44 in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon seek to bring the list of health determinants in line with academic research.

160A

Clause 44, page 45, line 6, after “air quality” insert “, noise pollution,”

This amendment and others to clause 44 in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon seek to bring the list of health determinants in line with academic research.

161A

Clause 44, page 45, line 8, before “employment” insert “educational opportunities and attainment,”

This amendment and others to clause 44 in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon seek to bring the list of health determinants in line with academic research.

163A

Clause 44, page 45, line 11, at end insert “including retail, education, health, employment and leisure or entertainment destinations,”

This amendment and others to clause 44 in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon seek to bring the list of health determinants in line with academic research.

163B

Clause 44, page 45, line 12, leave out “the use, or level of use, of” and insert “the use of, level of use of, or exposure to”

This amendment and others to clause 44 in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon seek to bring the list of health determinants in line with academic research.

165ZA

Clause 44, page 45, line 13, after “lifestyle,” insert “including physical activity and diet,”

This amendment and others to clause 44 in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon seek to bring the list of health determinants in line with academic research.

165B

Clause 44, page 45, line 14, at end insert—
“(f) social and structural conditions, including social class, gender, race, ethnicity and any other characteristics or forms of social inequality that influence exposure to advantage or disadvantage,”

This amendment and others to clause 44 in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon seek to bring the list of health determinants in line with academic research.

167A

Clause 44, page 46, line 2, before “standards” insert “availability and”

This amendment is connected to other amendments in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon to clause 44.

167B

Clause 44, page 46, line 3, after “air quality” insert “, noise pollution”

This amendment is connected to other amendments in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon to clause 44.

167C

Clause 44, page 46, line 5, before “employment” insert “educational opportunities and attainment, ”

This amendment is connected to other amendments in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon to clause 44.

167D

Clause 44, page 46, line 8, at end insert “including retail, education, health, employment and leisure or entertainment destinations,”

This amendment is connected to other amendments in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon to clause 44.

167E

Clause 44, page 46, line 9, leave out “the use, or level of use, of” and insert “the use of, level of use of, or exposure to”

This amendment is connected to other amendments in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon to clause 44.

167F

Clause 44, page 46, line 10, after “lifestyle” insert “including physical activity and diet”

This amendment is connected to other amendments in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon to clause 44.

167G

Clause 44, page 46, line 11, at end insert—
“(f) social and structural conditions, including social class, gender, race, ethnicity and any other characteristics or forms of social inequality that influence exposure to advantage or disadvantage,”

This amendment is connected to other amendments in the name of Baroness Freeman of Steventon to clause 44.

180A

Schedule 24, page 263, line 14, leave out “(whenever passed or made)” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act”

This amendment seeks to limit the Secretary of State's power to amend future Acts of Parliament using secondary legislation, in line with the DPRRC's recommendation. The 'Henry VIII power' could only be used prospectively for Acts passed in this session, rather than any future Act of Parliament. It is connected to three other amendments in the name of Lord Lansley.

184A

Clause 54, page 58, line 5, leave out “(whenever passed)” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act”

This amendment seeks to limit the Secretary of State's power to amend future Acts of Parliament using secondary legislation, in line with the DPRRC's recommendation. The 'Henry VIII power' could only be used prospectively for Acts passed in this session, rather than any future Act of Parliament. It is connected to three other amendments in the name of Lord Lansley.

196F

Schedule 26, page 279, line 15, leave out “whenever passed or made” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act”

This amendment seeks to limit the Secretary of State's power to amend future Acts of Parliament using secondary legislation, in line with the DPRRC's recommendation. The 'Henry VIII power' could only be used prospectively for Acts passed in this session, rather than any future Act of Parliament. It is connected to three other amendments in the name of Lord Lansley.

235DA

Clause 71, page 68, line 25, leave out “(whenever passed)” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act”

This amendment seeks to limit the Secretary of State's power to amend future Acts of Parliament using secondary legislation, in line with the DPRRC's recommendation. The 'Henry VIII power' could only be used prospectively for Acts passed in this session, rather than any future Act of Parliament. It is connected to three other amendments in the name of Lord Lansley.

241D

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause—
“Neighbourhood priorities statement
(1) In inserted section 15K (neighbourhood priorities statements) in Schedule 7 of LURA 2023—
(a) In subsection (13), after paragraph (d) insert—
“(da) a single foundation strategic authority,
(db) a development corporation which exercises the responsibilities of a local planning authority, or”;
(b) In subsection (14), in the definition for "qualifying body", omit "a parish council" and insert—
“(a) a town or parish council or organised structure for a neighbourhood area established under section 60 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (local authorities: effective neighbourhood governance),”.
(2) Within two months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must, by regulations, make provision commencing section 15K of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, as inserted by section 97 of LURA 2023.
(3) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.”

After Clause 30, insert the following Clause – "Passenger rail services (1) The Railways Act 1993 is amended as follows. (2) In section 30 (1A), at end insert “or by entering into an agreement with a Passenger Transport Executive accountable to an Established Mayoral Strategic Authority, for the carriage of passengers by railway, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Railways Act 2005.”

Clause 44, page 45, line 5, before “standards” insert “availability and"

Clause 44, page 45, line 6, after “air quality” insert “, noise pollution,"

Clause 44, page 45, line 8, before “employment” insert “educational opportunities and attainment,"

Clause 44, page 45, line 11, at end insert “including retail, education, health, employment and leisure or entertainment destinations,"

Clause 44, page 45, line 12, leave out “the use, or level of use, of” and insert “the use of, level of use of, or exposure to”

Clause 44, page 45, line 13, after “lifestyle,” insert “including physical activity and diet,"

Clause 44, page 45, line 14, at end insert- "(f) social and structural conditions, including social class, gender, race, ethnicity and any other characteristics or forms of social inequality that influence exposure to advantage or disadvantage,”

Clause 44, page 46, line 2, before “standards” insert “availability and”

Clause 44, page 46, line 3, after “air quality” insert “, noise pollution"

Clause 44, page 46, line 5, before “employment” insert “educational opportunities and attainment, "

Clause 44, page 46, line 8, at end insert “including retail, education, health, employment and leisure or entertainment destinations,"

Clause 44, page 46, line 9, leave out “the use, or level of use, of” and insert “the use of, level of use of, or exposure to"

Clause 44, page 46, line 10, after "lifestyle” insert “including physical activity and diet"

Clause 44, page 46, line 11, at end insert- "(f) social and structural conditions, including social class, gender, race, ethnicity and any other characteristics or forms of social inequality that influence exposure to advantage or disadvantage,”

Schedule 24, page 263, line 14, leave out “(whenever passed or made)” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act"

Clause 54, page 58, line 5, leave out “(whenever passed)” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act"

Schedule 26, page 279, line 15, leave out “whenever passed or made” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act"

Clause 71, page 68, line 25, leave out “(whenever passed)” and insert “passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act"

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause- "Neighbourhood priorities statement (1) In inserted section 15K (neighbourhood priorities statements) in Schedule 7 of LURA 2023- (a) In subsection (13), after paragraph (d) insert- "(da) a single foundation strategic authority, (db) a development corporation which exercises the responsibilities of a local planning authority, or”; (b) In subsection (14), in the definition for "qualifying body", omit "a parish council" and insert- “(a) a town or parish council or organised structure for a neighbourhood area established under section 60 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (local authorities: effective neighbourhood governance),”

104A

Schedule 5, page 138, line 33, after “vehicle” insert “, including those used for delivery services”

This is a probing amendment to ensure that providers of non-passenger micromobility vehicles referred to in this schedule also include those who provide these vehicles for delivery services.

105A

Schedule 5, page 139, line 23, at end insert—
“(aa) may be used to provide delivery services,”

179A

Schedule 24, page 263, line 6, at end insert—
“4A In section 13 (authorised persons and responsible authorities), in subsection (4), after paragraph (ha), insert—
“(hb) where the premises are situated in Greater London, the Greater London Authority,”.
4B After section 17 insert—
“17A Licence applications of potential strategic importance: Greater London
(1) A London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the Greater London Authority of any application made to it under section 17 that is a relevant licence application.
(2) A “relevant licence application” is an application for a premises licence in Greater London which would authorise the premises to be used for one or more of the following activities—
(a) the sale by retail of alcohol;
(b) the provision of regulated entertainment;
(c) the provision of late night refreshment.
(3) The Greater London Authority must give notice to each interested party if the Authority considers that the relevant licence application is an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London.
(4) On receipt of a notice under subsection (3), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the determination of the Greater London Authority.
(5) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (4) is to be made.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (3),“application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” is to be interpreted in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(7) In this section, an “interested party” in relation to an application means—
(a) the London licensing authority that the application was made to;
(b) the applicant;
(c) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates.”
4C In section 18 (determination of application for premises licence), after subsection (9) insert—
“(9A) Where a London licensing authority is to hold a hearing in accordance with subsection (3) in relation to an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London, the authority must give to the Greater London Authority—
(a) in advance of the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period;
(b) following the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period.
(9B) In subsection (9A)—
“application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means a licence application that has been notified to the London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 17A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.”
4D In section 22 (prohibited conditions: plays), in subsection (2)—
(a) the words from “a licensing authority” to the end become paragraph (a);
(b) after that paragraph, insert
“or,
(b) the Mayor of London directing a London licensing authority under section 25C(1)(a)(i) or (b)(i), or section 41ZB(1)(a) or (c) to impose conditions which the Mayor considers appropriate on the grounds of public safety.”
4E In section 23 (grant or rejection of application)—
(a) after subsection (2) insert—
“(2A) Where an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London is granted with no steps taken under section 18(4)(a) to (c) in relation to the licence, the relevant licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to that effect to the Greater London Authority.
(2B) Subsection (2A) does not apply if the Greater London Authority made relevant representations in respect of the application.”;
(b) in subsection (4), after “this section” insert—
““application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means a licence application that has been notified to a London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 17A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;”
4F In section 24 (form of licence and summary), after subsection (2)(f), insert—
“(g) if it is issued on a direction from the Mayor of London, specify this.”
4G After section 25A insert—
“Power of Mayor of London to determine licence applications
25B Power of the Mayor of London to determine applications
(1) This section applies where on an application of potential strategic importance to Greater London a London licensing authority—
(a) grants a premises licence having taken one or more of the steps under section 18(4)(a) to (c) in relation to the licence, or
(b) rejects the application to grant a premises licence under section 18(4)(d).
(2) The London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the applicant and the Greater London Authority of—
(a) its decision to grant the premises licence and the steps, and reasons for the steps, taken under section 18(4)(a) to (c) in relation to the licence (including the detail of any modifications made to conditions under section 18(4)(a)), or
(b) its decision to reject the application under section 18(4)(d) and the reasons for doing so.
(3) But the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application does not otherwise have effect unless and until the Mayor of London gives notice under subsection (6) of a decision under subsection (5)(b).
(4) Accordingly, the London licensing authority must not take any steps under this Act in relation to the decision (including giving notice under section 23) unless and until such a notice is given.
(5) The Mayor of London must by the end of the specified period decide—
(a) to give a direction to the London licensing authority in relation to the application (see section 25C), or
(b) that the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application is to have effect for the purposes of this Act (and, accordingly, any requirements in relation to that decision now apply).
(6) The Mayor of London must give notice of the Mayor’s decision under subsection (5) to—
(a) each interested party;
(b) any person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 18.
(7) On receipt of a notice under subsection (6), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the decision of the Mayor.
(8) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (7) is to be made.
(9) In this section—
“application of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means an application that has been notified to a London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 17A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;
“interested party” has the same meaning as in section 17A (see subsection (7) of that section);
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
25C Directions by the Mayor of London
(1) Where section 25B(5)(a) applies the Mayor of London must direct the London licensing authority—
(a) to grant the licence in accordance with the application subject only to—
(i) such conditions specified in the direction as are consistent with the operating schedule accompanying the application, and
(ii) any conditions which must under section 19, 20 or 21 be included in the licence,
(b) to grant the licence subject to—
(i) the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i) with such permitted modifications as may be specified in the direction, and
(ii) any condition which must under section 19, 20 or 21 be included in the licence,
(c) to grant the licence in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b), but to also do one or both of the following—
(i) exclude from the scope of the licence any of the licensable activities which were excluded by the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application under section 18(4)(b);
(ii) refuse to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor where the London licensing authority refused to specify that person in their decision in relation to the application under section 18(4)(c), or
(d) to reject the application.
(2) The Mayor may only give a direction to the London licensing authority under subsection (1)(d) to reject the application if the application was rejected by the authority under section 18(4)(d).
(3) The London licensing authority must grant the licence or reject the application in accordance with the direction given under subsection (1).
(4) When giving a direction under this section the Mayor must have regard to—
(a) the licensing policy statement published by the Mayor under section 8A, and
(b) the importance of promoting the licensing objectives.
(5) Directions given under subsection (1)(a) or (b) may have the effect of requiring a premises licence to be granted subject to different conditions in respect of—
(a) different parts of the premises concerned;
(b) different licensable activities.
(6) A direction under this section must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving the direction.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i) the conditions mentioned in subsection (1)(a)(i) are modified if any of them is altered or omitted or any new condition is added.
(8) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)(i), a modification to a condition is “permitted” if—
(a) the condition was modified by the London licensing authority when granting the licence under section 18(4)(a), and the modification is—
(i) the same as that modification, or
(ii) in the Mayor’s opinion less restrictive than that modification (but see subsection (9)), or
(b) the condition relates to an application that was rejected by the London licensing authority under section 18(4)(d).
(9) The Mayor may not make a modification to a condition under subsection (8)(a)(ii) if the effect of the modification would be that the condition would apply to a different part of the premises, or to different licensable activities, than that it applied to as modified by the London licensing authority under section 18(4)(a).
25D Issue of licence etc by licensing authority
(1) A London licensing authority that grants a licence on a direction under section 25C(1)(a) to (c) must as soon as possible—
(a) give notice that the licence is granted to—
(i) the applicant,
(ii) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(iii) any person who made relevant representations under section 18 in respect of the application, and
(iv) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated, and
(b) issue the applicant with the licence and a summary of it.
(2) A London licensing authority that rejects an application on a direction under section 25C(1)(d) must as soon as possible give notice that the application is rejected to—
(a) the applicant,
(b) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(c) any person who made relevant representations under section 18 in respect of the application, and
(d) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated.
(3) A notice under subsection (1) or (2) must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving the direction as notified to the London licensing authority under section 25C(6).”
4H After section 34 insert—
“34A Applications to vary of potential strategic importance: Greater London
(1) A London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the Greater London Authority of any application made to it under section 34 that is a relevant application.
(2) A “relevant application” is an application to vary a premises licence in Greater London where the premises are, or would after the variation be, used for one or more of the following activities—
(a) the sale by retail of alcohol;
(b) the provision of regulated entertainment;
(c) the provision of late night refreshment.
(3) The Greater London Authority must give notice to each interested party if the Authority considers that the relevant application is an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London.
(4) On receipt of a notice under subsection (3), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the determination of the Greater London Authority.
(5) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (4) must be made.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (3) “application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London” is to be interpreted in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.
(7) In this section, an “interested party” in relation to an application means—
(a) the London licensing authority that the application was made to;
(b) the applicant;
(c) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates.”
4I In section 35 (determination of application under section 34), after subsection (7) insert—
“(8) Where a London licensing authority is to hold a hearing in accordance with subsection (3) in relation to an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London, the authority must give to the Greater London Authority—
(a) in advance of the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period;
(b) following the hearing, specified information relating to the hearing within the specified period.
(9) In this section—
“application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means an application to vary a premises licence that has been notified to the London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 34A(3);
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.”
4J After section 41 insert—
“Power of Mayor of London to determine applications to vary
41ZA Power of the Mayor of London to determine applications to vary
(1) This section applies where, on an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London, a London licensing authority—
(a) grants an application to vary a premises licence in whole under section 35 and modifies the conditions of the licence under subsection (4)(a) of that section,
(b) rejects an application to vary a premises licence in whole under section 35(4)(b), or
(c) rejects an application to vary a premises licence in part under section 35(4)(b) and grants the other part (whether with or without modifying the conditions of the licence).
(2) The London licensing authority must as soon as possible give notice to the applicant and the Greater London Authority of—
(a) its decision to grant the application in whole and modify the conditions of the licence and the reasons for doing so (including the detail of the modifications made),
(b) its decision to reject the application in whole and the reasons for doing so, or
(c) its decision to reject part of the application and to grant the other part with or without modifying the conditions of the licence, and the reasons for doing so (including the detail of any modifications made).
(3) But the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application does not otherwise have effect unless and until—
(a) the Mayor of London gives notice under subsection (8) of a decision under subsection (7)(b), or
(b) the obligations on the Mayor of London under subsection (7) of this section or section 41ZB cease to apply (see section 41ZC).
(4) Accordingly, the London licensing authority must not take any steps under this Act in relation to the decision (including taking steps under section 56) unless and until the circumstances in subsection (3)(a) or (b) apply.
(5) Where the decision of the London licensing authority has effect by virtue of subsection (3)(b), that decision is to take effect as subject to the intervening decision made by the authority in relation to the licence (see section 41ZC(2)(a)).
(6) For the purpose of supplementing subsection (5), the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision modifying any provision of this Act as it applies to a decision of the London licensing authority that has effect by virtue of subsection (3)(b).
(7) The Mayor of London must by the end of the specified period decide—
(a) to give a direction to the London licensing authority in relation to the application (see section 41ZB), or
(b) that the decision of the London licensing authority in relation to the application has effect for the purposes of this Act (and, accordingly, any requirements in relation to that decision now apply).
(8) The Mayor of London must give notice of the Mayor’s decision under subsection (7) to—
(a) each interested party;
(b) any person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 35.
(9) On receipt of a notice under subsection (8), the London licensing authority must as soon as reasonably practicable advertise the decision of the Mayor.
(10) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify the form and manner in which an advertisement under subsection (9) must be made.
(11) In this section—
“application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London” means an application to vary a premises licence that has been notified to the London licensing authority by the Greater London Authority under section 34A(3) as being of potential strategic importance to Greater London;
“interested party” has the same meaning as in section 34A;
“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
41ZB Directions by the Mayor of London
(1) Where section 41ZA(7)(a) applies the Mayor of London must direct the London licensing authority—
(a) to grant the application in whole with or without such permitted modifications to the conditions of the licence as may be specified in the direction,
(b) to reject the application in whole, or
(c) to grant part of the application with or without such permitted modifications to the conditions of the licence as may be specified in the direction (and to reject the other part of the application).
(2) The Mayor may only give a direction to the London licensing authority under subsection (1)(b) or (c) to reject the application in whole or in part if the application, or that part of the application, was rejected by the authority under section 35(4)(b).
(3) The London licensing authority must grant or reject the application in accordance with the direction given under subsection (1).
(4) Subsection (1)(a) and (c) are subject to sections 19 to 21 (which require certain conditions to be included in premises licences).
(5) A direction under this section may not require a licence to be varied so as—
(a) to extend the period for which the licence has effect, or
(b) to vary substantially the premises to which it relates.
(6) Directions given under subsection (1)(a) or (c) may have the effect of requiring a premises licence to be varied so as to have effect subject to different conditions in respect of—
(a) different parts of the premises concerned;
(b) different licensable activities.
(7) When giving a direction under this section the Mayor must have regard to—
(a) the licensing policy statement published by the Mayor under section 8A, and
(b) the importance of promoting the licensing objectives.
(8) A direction under this section must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving that direction.
(9) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) and (c), the conditions are modified if any of them is altered or omitted or any new condition is added.
(10) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) or (c), a modification to a condition is “permitted” if—
(a) the condition was modified by the London licensing authority when granting the application in whole or in part under section 35(4)(a), and the modification is—
(i) the same as that modification, or
(ii) in the Mayor’s opinion less restrictive than that modification (but see subsection (11)), or
(b) the condition relates to an application, or part of an application, that was rejected by the London licensing authority under subsection 35(4)(b).
(11) The Mayor may not make a modification to a condition under subsection (10)(a)(ii) if the effect of the modification would be that the condition would apply to a different part of the premises, or to different licensable activities, than that it applied to as modified by the London licensing authority under section 35(4)(a).
41ZC Intervening decision by a London licensing authority
(1) The obligations on the Mayor of London under section 41ZA(7) or 41ZB in relation to an application to vary of potential strategic importance to Greater London cease to apply if the conditions in subsection (2) are met in relation to the obligation in question.
(2) The conditions in this subsection are met if—
(a) the London licensing authority that made the decision under section 35 in relation to the application to vary the premises licence has, before the relevant time, made an intervening decision in relation to the licence, and
(b) the authority has given notice of that decision to the Mayor of London.
(3) In this section, an “intervening decision” means a decision—
(a) to take any of the steps under section 52(4) on an application for review of the licence;
(b) to take any of the steps under section 53C(3) on an application by a senior police officer for review of the licence;
(c) to take any of the steps under section 167(6) on a review of the licence following a closure order.
(4) The “relevant time” for the purposes of subsection (2)(a)—
(a) in relation to the obligation to make a decision under section 41ZA(7), is the time at which the Mayor makes the decision,
(b) in relation to an obligation to give a direction under section 41ZB, is the time at which the direction is given.
41ZD Notification by the London licensing authority
(1) A London licensing authority that grants an application (or any part of an application) on a direction under section 41ZB must as soon as possible give notice to that effect to—
(a) the applicant,
(b) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(c) any person who made relevant representations under section 35 in respect of the application, and
(d) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated.
(2) The notice under subsection (1) must—
(a) specify the time when any variation takes effect, and
(b) specify any modifications to conditions of the licence.
(3) The time for the purposes of subsection (2) is the time specified in the application or, if that time is before the applicant is given notice under this section, such later time as the London licensing authority specifies in the notice.
(4) A London licensing authority that rejects an application (or any part of an application) on a direction under section 41ZB must as soon as possible give notice to that effect to—
(a) the applicant,
(b) each responsible authority in relation to the premises to which the application relates,
(c) any person who made relevant representations under section 35 in respect of the application, and
(d) the chief officer of police for the police area (or each police area) in which the premises are situated.
(5) A notice under subsection (1) or (4) must state the Mayor’s reasons for giving the direction as notified to the London licensing authority under section 41ZB(8).”
4K In section 54 (form of applications and notices)—
(a) in paragraph (a), after “form” insert “or content”;
(b) after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba) the period within which it is to be made or given;”.
4L In section 56 (licensing authority’s duty to update licence document), in subsection (1), after paragraph (a) insert—
“(aa) a London licensing authority, in relation to a premises licence, is subject to a direction under section 41ZB (directions by Mayor of London),”
4M In section 181 (appeals against decisions of licensing authorities)—
(a) in the heading, after “licensing authorities” insert “or the Mayor of London”;
(b) in subsection (1), after “licensing authorities” insert “or the Mayor of London”;
(c) in subsection (2), in the opening words, after “licensing authority” insert “or the Mayor of London”;
(d) in subsection (2)(b), after “authority” insert “or (as the case may be) the Mayor”;
(e) in subsection (2)(c), after “authority” insert “or (as the case may be) the Mayor”.
4N In section 185 (provision of information)—
(a) in subsection (1)—
(i) the words from “information which” to the end become paragraph (a);
(ii) after that paragraph insert
“, and
(b) information which is held by or on behalf of the Mayor of London in connection with the Mayor’s functions under this Act.”;
(b) in subsection (2)—
(i) at the end of paragraph (a) omit “or”;
(ii) at the end of paragraph (b) insert
“or
(c) to the Mayor of London,”;
(iii) in the closing words, after “functions” insert “or the Mayor’s functions”;
(c) in subsection (3), for “or responsible authority” substitute “, responsible authority or the Mayor of London”.
4P In Schedule 5 (appeals)—
(a) after paragraph 1 insert—
“1A Where the Mayor of London gives a direction to a London licensing authority—
(a) to reject an application for a premises licence under section 25C, or
(b) to reject (in whole or in part) an application to vary a premises licence under section 41ZB,
the applicant may appeal against the direction.”;
(b) after paragraph 2 insert—
“2A (1)This paragraph applies where the Mayor of London gives a direction to a London licensing authority under section 25C to grant a premises licence.
(2)The holder of the licence may appeal against the following aspects of any such direction—
(a)to impose conditions on the licence under subsection (1)(a)(i) of that section;
(b)to impose conditions on the licence under subsection (1)(b)(i) of that section;
(c)to exclude licensable activities from the scope of the licence under subsection (1)(c)(i) of that section;
(d)to refuse to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor under subsection (1)(c)(ii) of that section.
(3)A person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 18 may appeal against the Mayor’s direction to grant the licence on the following basis—
(a)that the licence ought not to have been granted, or
(b)that the direction ought to have imposed different or additional conditions under section 25C(1)(a)(i) or (b)(i), or to have taken a step mentioned in section 25C(1)(c)(i) or (ii).”
(c) in the heading of paragraph 4, after “35” insert “or 41ZB”;
(d) after paragraph 4 insert—
“4A (1)This paragraph applies where the Mayor of London gives a direction to a London licensing authority under section 41ZB to grant an application to vary a premises licence (in whole or in part).
(2)The applicant may appeal against any direction under that section to make permitted modifications to the conditions of the licence.
(3)A person who made relevant representations in relation to the application under section 35 may appeal against the Mayor’s direction to grant the application on the following basis—
(a)that any variation made ought not to have been made, or
(b)that, when directing the licence to be varied, the Mayor ought not to have directed that permitted modifications be made to the conditions of the licence, or ought to have directed that different permitted modifications be made to the conditions.
(4)In sub-paragraph (3), “permitted modifications” has the meaning given in section 41ZB(10).”
(e) in paragraph 9—
(i) in sub-paragraph (2), for the words from “the day” to the end substitute—
“(a) on an appeal under paragraph 1A, 2A or 4A, the day on which the appellant was notified by the London licensing authority of the outcome of the direction appealed against, and
(b) on any other appeal under this Part, the day on which the appellant was notified by the licensing authority of the decision appealed against.”;
(ii) after sub-paragraph (3) insert—
(3A)On an appeal under paragraph 2A(3) or 4A(3), the holder of the premises licence is to be the respondent in addition to the Mayor of London.””

117A

Schedule 9, page 165, line 13, leave out “using key route network roads”

117B

Schedule 9, page 165, line 17, leave out “using key route network roads”

117C

Schedule 9, page 165, line 22, leave out “using key route network roads”

117D

Schedule 9, page 165, line 27, leave out “using key route network roads”

117E

Schedule 9, page 165, line 31, leave out “using key route network roads”

117F

Schedule 9, page 165, line 34, leave out “using key route network roads”

117G

Schedule 9, page 167, line 16, leave out paragraph 11

118A

Clause 29, page 37, line 7, after “policies” insert “and proposals"

118B

Clause 29, page 37, leave out lines 12 to 13

119A

Clause 29, page 37, line 28, after “policies” insert “and proposals"

119B

Clause 29, page 37, leave out lines 34 to 35

120F

Schedule 10, page 169, leave out lines 22 to 24 then insert — "(8) A local transport authority – (a) must review the local transport plan whenever the local transport authority thinks it appropriate to do so, and (b) in any event, must subsequently amend the local transport plan at intervals of no more than five years."

196E

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause – "Local government data (1) The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 is amended as follows. (2) In section 84(2)(b) (power in relation to the processing of planning data), after “development” insert “including in relation to economic conditions, transport, tourism and nature". (3) In section 91 (interpretation of Chapter), in the definition of “relevant planning enactment" - (a) in paragraph (g), at end insert “, Parts 2 and 3 of the Transport Act 2000"; (b) in paragraph (k), at end insert “, the Environment Act 2021, Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026"."

234A

Schedule 29, page 298, line 21, at end insert “or is used wholly or mainly for sporting or physical recreational activities.”

241C

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause – “English National Park authorities: community consultation Where a community in England is not part of an English National Park authority area but- (a) is surrounded by one, or (b) shares a border with one, that authority must consult with that community on any matter within the competence of that authority which may impact on that community before a decision is made."

256A

After Clause 85, insert the following new Clause – “Major precepting authorities: parish and community councils (1) Section 39 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (precepting and precepted authorities) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1), after paragraph (ac) insert - “(ad) a parish or community council where the population of the authority area is greater than 50,000 people; (ae) the chairman of a parish meeting where the parish council's authority area has a population greater than 50,000 people.” (3) In subsection (2) – (a) in paragraph (c), at end insert “of an area with a population less than 50,000 people;"; (b) in paragraph (d), after “meeting” insert “for a parish council of an area with a population less than 50,000 people"."

Lord Fuller gives notice of his intention to oppose the Question that Clause 16 stand part of the Bill.

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause – "Election communication (1) Any person standing for election as a mayor or as a member of a local authority must provide the relevant returning officer, when they submit their nomination, with details of how the candidate may, conveniently and without charge, be contacted by electors, and the returning officer must arrange for that information to be made public. (2) The returning officer must make available to candidates an address at which correspondence addressed to the candidate may be left."

222A

After Clause 63, insert the following new Clause – "Funding for buying assets of community value The Secretary of State may, in conjunction with the National Lottery or otherwise, make funds available for the purchase of assets of community value.”

After Clause 26, insert the following new Clause- "Parking charges and strategic authorities: restriction of powers (1) In section 45 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (designation of paying parking places on highways), after subsection (1A) insert- "(1B) A combined county authority or strategic mayoral authority may not make an order under subsection (1)." (2) In section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994 (financial provisions relating to designation orders), after subsection (9) insert – “(9A) A combined county authority or strategic mayoral authority may not undertake any activity provided for under this section.”

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause – "Implementing a Vision Zero programme Strategic authorities must work with bus service providers, trade unions, professional bodies, and appropriate training institutions to implement a Vision Zero programme within the bus sector, modelled on best practice in the industry, with the aim of eliminating serious injuries in the course of bus operations.”

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause - "Bus safety performance data In the Transport Act 2000, after section 144 insert "144ZA Bus safety performance data (1) Strategic authorities must publish bus safety performance data online every quarter at a minimum. (2) Every calendar year, strategic authorities must submit bus safety performance data to an independent auditor to assess the data's accuracy. (3) The independent auditor carrying out an assessment under subsection (2) must publish a report on the data which must be made available on the strategic authority's website.'""

After Clause 68, insert the following new Clause – "Strategic authorities: joint committee for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles (1) Within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must, by regulations, require all strategic authorities to establish a joint committee for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within a strategic authority's area. (2) Joint committees established under subsection (1) must be comprised of councillors from the authorities represented by the strategic authority and within the geographic area of the elected mayor. (3) The Secretary of State must ensure joint committees established under subsection (1) have the power to – (a) grant, (b) suspend, (c) revoke, and (d) renew regulated licences for taxis and private hire vehicles. (4) All decisions related to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles within a strategic authority's area must be made by the joint committee, unless the joint committee has delegated licensing power to another licensing authority. (5) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure."

Clause 72, page 68, line 35, after “means” insert “ (a) a joint committee established under section (Strategic authorities: joint committee for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles), or”

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause- "Mayors as authorities on Transport and Work Act 1992 Orders (1) The Transport and Works Act 1992 is amended as follows. (2) In section 1 (orders as to railways, tramways etc.) — (a) in subsection (1) – (i) for "Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”; (ii) omit ", so far as it is in England and Wales"; (b) after subsection (1), insert – "(1ZA) In this Part, “relevant authority” means – (a) in relation to an order for a scheme located in England & Wales, the Secretary of State; (b) in relation to an order for a scheme wholly located in the area of a mayoral combined authority, the elected Mayor of that authority or the Secretary of State, and, where relevant and without limitation, provisions of this Act are to be construed (i) to allow applications under section 1 or 3 to be made to and determined by either the Secretary of State or the elected Mayor except that once an application is made, that application must be determined by the authority which has received the application, and (ii) to permit an elected Mayor to carry out functions in relation to such an application or determination which would have otherwise been carried out by the Secretary of State on the date this Act came into force, excluding any power to make regulations or rules under this Act or any power under section 23 (Exercise of Secretary of State's functions by appointed person) of this Act.” (3) In section 3 (orders as to inland waterways etc.) – (a) in subsection (1), for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”; (b) in subsection (2) – (i) for "Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority"; (ii) for "his" substitute “its”. (4) In section 5 (subject-matter of orders under sections 1 and 3) – (a) for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority"; (b) in subsection (4)(b), for “him” substitute “it”. (5) In section 6 (applications for orders under sections 1 and 3) – (a) in subsection (1) for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”; (b) in subsection (1), for “him” substitute “it”; (c) in subsection (4), for “he” substitute “it”; (d) in subsections (3) and (7), for each reference to “relevant authority" substitute, “relevant body". (6) In section 6A (cases where Member States are affected), in subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c) and (2)(a), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute, “relevant authority". (7) In section 9 (schemes of national significance) — (a) except in subsection (6), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority"; (b) in subsection (1) – (i) for "he" substitute “it”; (ii) for "his" substitute “its”. (8) In section 10 (objections) – (a) except in subsection (1), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority"; (b) in subsections (3) and (5) for "he" substitute “it”. (9) In section 11 (inquiries and hearings) (a) for subsection (1) substitute - “(1) The relevant authority may cause a public local inquiry to be held for the purposes of an application under section 6 above and the Secretary of State may cause a public inquiry to be held for the purposes of a proposal by the Secretary of State to make an order by virtue of section 7 above."; (b) in subsections (2) and (3), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority". (10) In section 13 (making or refusal of orders under section 1 or 3: general) — (a) in subsection (1) – (i) for "Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”; (ii) for the first “he” substitute “the Secretary of State"; (iii) for the second “he” substitute “the relevant authority"; (b) in subsections (2) to (4) – (i) for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority"; (ii) for each reference to “he” substitute “it”; (iii) for reach reference to "him” substitute “it”; (iv) for each reference to “his” substitute “its”. (11) In sections 13A (environmental impact assessment: definitions) to 13D (application or proposal for an EIA order: time limit), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority". (12) In section 14 (publicity for making or refusal of orders) (a) except in subsections (4A) and (5), for each reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority"; (b) for each reference to “he” substitute “it”; c. for each reference to “him” substitute "it". (13) In section 14A (compulsory acquisition: notice requirements) - (a) in subsection (7)(b) for the first reference to “Secretary of State” substitute "relevant authority"; (b) in subsection (8), in the definition of “appropriate national authority" for the first reference to “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”."

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause – "Mayors as authorities on Transport and Work Act 1992 Orders: consequential amendments (1) In section 90(2A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (development with government authorisation), for “Secretary of State” substitute “person making the order". (2) In section 12(2A) of the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 for “Secretary of State" substitute, “person making the order". (3) Section 12 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (reference of certain applications to Secretary of State) is amended as set out in subsections (4) to (6). (4) In subsection (3A), for “Secretary of State” substitute “relevant authority”. (5) After subsection (3A) insert- "(3B) In subsection (3A) “relevant authority” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Transport and Works Act 1992." (6) After subsection (4B) insert- "(4C) Subsection (4) does not apply to an application referred to the Welsh Ministers under this section instead of being dealt with by a local planning authority in Wales.”””

Schedule 29, page 311, line 28, at end insert - "(9A) Where - (a) there is disagreement between the owner of the land and the preferred community buyer regarding the market value as determined by the valuer, (b) the asset of community value is in danger of being lost, or (c) the owner of the asset is unwilling to sell, the relevant local authority must use their power under section 226 of the Planning Act 1990 to acquire compulsorily the relevant asset of community value, and pay the market value of the asset in accordance with section 14A of the Land Compensation Act 1961.”

Schedule 1, page 96, line 22 at end insert— "(2A) The Secretary of State has obtained consent for the proposal from any affected local government area.”

Schedule 1, page 97, line 11, at end insert - “(6A) After preparing a proposal the Secretary of State must publish a statement demonstrating how the physical geography, community identity, and the boundaries of other public services in the area would be affected by the proposal."

Schedule 3, page 121, leave out lines 1 to 32

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause – "Workplace Parking Levy: mayoral authority (1) The Transport Act 2000 is amended as follows. (2) In section 184(1) (confirmation of licensing schemes), after “national authority" insert “or strategic authority mayor". (3) In section 185 (licensing schemes: consultation and inquiries) – (a) in subsection (3), after “national authority” insert “or established strategic authority mayor"; (b) in subsection (4), after “national authority” insert “or established strategic authority mayor". (4) In section 198(1) (interpretation of part 3), after the definition of “road”, insert “strategic authority mayor” has the meaning given by the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026".

Clause 53 stand part of the Bill.

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause – "Business rates supplement: mayoral authority (1) The Business Rate Supplements Act 2009 is amended as follows. (2) In section 2 (levying authorities), for (1)(b) and (c), substitute – “(b) an established mayoral authority in England;” (3) In section 4, omit paragraph (1)(c). (4) In section 10, omit – (a) subsection (2)(c); (b) subsection (10); (c) subsection (11). (5) In Schedule 1, omit paragraphs 19 and 20.”

Clause 60, page 62, line 4, at end insert – "(4A) Regulations under this section must not - (a) confer on any neighbourhood governance structure (including but not limited to neighbourhood area committees and any equivalent bodies established by or under those regulations) any power, authority, function or status that overrides or takes precedence over the statutory powers, functions, duties, finances, governance or operational independence of any parish or town council established under Part IV of the Local Government Act 1972 (or any successor enactment); (b) limit, constrain, abrogate or otherwise diminish any statutory power, function, duty, financial autonomy or governance responsibility of any such parish or town council; (c) abolish, merge, dissolve, or alter the constitution, electoral arrangements or any statutory function of any such parish or town council, except where such abolition, merger, dissolution or alteration is expressly authorised by an Act of Parliament. (4B) In exercising the power to make regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must- (a) consult representatives of parish and town councils, including appropriate national associations, and (b) have special regard to the need to preserve the independence, financial autonomy and status as the primary tier of local government of parish and town councils in any area where they exist. (4C) In this section “parish or town council” means a council established under Part IV of the Local Government Act 1972 or any successor enactment."

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause – "Changes to years in which ordinary elections are held (1) The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows. (2) In section 87 (power to change years in which elections held) (a) in subsection (1), at beginning insert “In cases of national emergency,”; (b) after subsection (1), insert – "(1A) In all other circumstances, the Secretary of State may, by order, make provision which changes the years in which the ordinary elections of councillors of any specified local authority are to be held but which does not change the scheme which prevails (whether by virtue of an order under section 86 or otherwise) for the ordinary elections of those councillors. (1B) Proposals for orders under subsection (1A) must be laid before Parliament no less than six months before the ordinary date of the election. (1C) Draft orders must be laid before Parliament for approval no less than three months before the ordinary date of the election. (1D) Prior to making an order under subsection (1A), the Secretary of State must consult each principal council and Member of Parliament in the affected area." (3) In section 105 (orders and regulations) (a) in subsection (5), after “(6)” insert “, (6ZA)”; (b) after subsection (6), insert- "(6ZA) Regulations under section 87(1A) are subject to the super-affirmative procedure as defined by section 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006."

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause- "Changes to time of mayoral elections (1) The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows. (2) In section 9HB (time of elections etc) – (a) in subsection (1)(a), at end insert “, subject to subsections (2) and (3)"; (b) at end insert- “(2) Proposals for regulations made under the super-affirmative procedure as required by section 105(6ZA) must be laid before Parliament no less than six months before the ordinary date of the election and draft regulations must be laid before Parliament for approval no less than three months before the ordinary date of the election. (3) Prior to making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult each principal council and Member of Parliament in the affected area." (3) In section 105 (orders and regulations) (a) in subsection (5), after “(6)” insert “, (6ZA)”; (b) after subsection (6), insert- "(6ZA) Regulations under section 9HB(1)(a) are subject to the super-affirmative procedure as defined by section 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 unless they are being made in cases of national emergency."

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause – "Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011: changes to election years (1) The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 is amended as follows. (2) In section 50 (ordinary elections) (a) in subsection (4), after “But,” insert “in cases of national emergency,”; (b) after subsection (5), insert – “(5A) In circumstances which are not cases of national emergency, the Secretary of State may, by order, make provision which changes the years in which the election of police and crime commissioners are to be held. (5B) Proposals for orders under subsection (5A) must be laid before Parliament no less than six months before the ordinary date of the election. (5C) Draft orders must be laid before Parliament for approval no less than three months before the ordinary date of the election. (5D) Prior to making an order under subsection (5A), the Secretary of State must consult each principal council and Member of Parliament in the affected area." (3) In section 154 (orders and regulations), after subsection (2), insert – "(2A) A statutory instrument containing orders under section 50(5A) is subject to the super-affirmative procedure as defined by section 18 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006."

After Clause 67, insert the following new Clause – “Enforcement of private hire vehicles (1) A relevant local transport enforcement authority may exercise enforcement functions in respect of any private hire vehicle operating within its area, regardless of the licensing authority by which the vehicle is licensed. (2) The enforcement functions referred to in subsection (1) include, in particular - (a) stopping and inspecting a private hire vehicle; (b) requiring the production of any licence, permit, record or other document required to be held in connection with the operation of the vehicle or the activities of the driver; (c) conducting compliance checks for the purpose of determining whether – (i) the vehicle is licensed, insured and roadworthy, and (ii) the driver is licensed and authorised to operate the vehicle; (d) taking such enforcement action as is available to the authority under this Act."

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause- "Duty to deliver on the environment and climate change Strategic authorities, mayoral, or local authorities must, in the exercise of their functions, and when delivering on areas of competence of section 2, take all reasonable steps to contribute to - (a) the achievement of targets set under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008; (b) the achievement of biodiversity targets set under sections 1 to 3 of the Environment Act 2021; (c) adapting to any current or predicted impacts of climate change identified in the most recent report under section 56 of the Climate Change Act 2008."

Clause 9, page 11, line 4, leave out “not more than 7"

Clause 9, page 11, line 9, at end insert- "(1A) The Mayor must appoint a person for each of the areas of competence listed in section 2 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026."

Clause 9, page 11, line 28, leave out “not more than 7"

Clause 9, page 11, line 34, at end insert - "(1A) The Mayor must appoint a person for each of the areas of competence listed in section 2 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026."

Schedule 9, page 157, line 28, at end insert- "(1C) The key route network must consist only of classified numbered roads carrying strategic motor traffic."

Schedule 9, page 158, line 25, at end insert— "(1C) The key route network must consist only of classified numbered roads carrying strategic motor traffic."

Schedule 10, page 173, line 15, at end insert - “Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 22 Section 32 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (power of local authorities to provide parking places) is amended as follows. 23 After subsection (2), insert- "(2A) A local transport authority or designated upper-tier local authority outside Greater London may prohibit pavement parking in their local area and may exempt individual streets. (2B) Prohibitions under subsection (2A) may (a) exempt certain vehicles, or (b) allow pavement parking in specified circumstances. (2C) The Secretary of State may, by regulations, set out the process by which local transport authorities or designated upper-tier local authorities should exercise their powers under subsections (2A) and (2B) and may require them to conduct a consultation. (2D) The Secretary of State may issue guidance on the provision of pavement parking by local transport authorities or designated upper-tier local authorities. (2E) Prohibitions made under subsection (2A) may be enforced by civil enforcement officers employed by the local transport authority or designated upper-tier local authority. (2F) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (2C) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.'""

Clause 44, page 45, line 14, at end insert- "(f) the degree of ease or difficulty with which persons have access to high quality wheelchair and community equipment provision,"

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause- "Mayoral special advisers (1) A mayor may appoint mayoral special advisers. (2) A “mayoral special adviser” is a person (“P”) who holds a position within a mayoral strategic authority and whose appointment to that position meets the requirements in subsection (3). (3) The requirements are – (a) P is appointed to assist the Mayor after being selected by the Mayor personally; (b) the appointment will end not later than - (i) the day on which the Mayor ceases to hold office, or (ii) if earlier, the end of the day after the day of the poll at the election following the appointment. (4) A mayor making any mayoral special adviser appointments must (a) prepare an annual report about mayoral special advisers serving, and (b) lay the report before the relevant Strategic Authority. (5) An annual report made on mayoral special advisers must contain information about the number and cost of the mayoral special advisers. (6) The pay and remuneration of mayoral special advisers should be determined by the mayor with reference to the responsibilities of the role, experience of the candidate and allowances scheme for commissioners. (7) The Secretary of State must publish a code of conduct for mayoral special advisers ("the code"). (8) Before publishing the code (or any revision of it) the Secretary of State must consult the mayors of strategic authorities. (9) The code must provide that a mayoral special adviser may not - (a) authorise the expenditure of public funds, or (b) exercise any power in relation to the management of any part of the mayoral or strategic authority. (10) The code must provide that a mayoral special adviser may (a) engage in political activity, and (b) provide party-political advice to the Mayor. (11) The code must form part of the terms and conditions of service of any mayoral special adviser. (12) A person appointed under this section is not to be regarded, for the purposes of Part I of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (political restriction of officers and staff), as holding a politically restricted post under a local authority.”

Clause 92, page 86, line 18, leave out subsection (3)

Clause 92, page 87, line 20, at end insert- "(z2a) section 64 (“national minimum standard” and “regulated licence"); (z2b) section 65 (standards relating to the grant of a regulated licence); (z2c) section 66 (standards relating to the suspension or revocation of a regulated licence); (z2d) section 67 (standards relating to the renewal of a regulated licence); (z2e) section 68 (further provision about standards); (z2f) section 69 (guidance); (z2g) section 70 (relationship with existing licensing legislation); (z2h) section 71 (regulations); (z2i) section 72 (interpretation);"

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause- “Local accounting officers (1) Within one year beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the establishment of local accounting officers in each established mayoral strategic authority area. (2) Regulations made under this section must- (a) make provision for the Head of Paid Service in an established mayoral strategic authority to be the principal local accounting officer responsible for the value for money of mayoral strategic authority spending, including any monies given by the Secretary of State, (b) make provision for the scrutiny of the local accounting officer within a strategic authority area by relevant local scrutiny bodies, (c) make provision for the designation of other members of staff as additional accounting officers. (3) The principal local accounting officer has – (a) in relation to the accounts of the established mayoral strategic authority, and (b) in relation to the performance by persons designated as accounting officers in pursuance of any provision of this Act of their responsibilities as accounting officers, the responsibilities which are from time to time specified by the Treasury. (4) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure."

Schedule 29, page 296, line 37, after “economic” insert “, environmental”

Schedule 29, page 296, line 38, after “economic” insert “, environmental”

Clause 65, page 64, line 16, leave out “may” and insert “must”

Clause 65, page 64, line 17, at end insert “, which must require taxis to conform with minimum taxi accessibility requirements under section 160(1) to (3) of the Equality Act 2010 within three years of the day on which such regulations are made.”

After Clause 68, insert the following new Clause- "Minimum accessibility requirements for taxis (1) In section 160(1) of the Equality Act 2010 (taxi accessibility regulations), after "regulations")” insert “which must be adhered to in the prescribing of standards for the licensing of taxis under section 65 (standards relating to the grant of a regulated licence) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026." (2) The Secretary of State must, by regulations under section 216(3) of the Equality Act 2010, commence section 160(1) to (3) (taxi accessibility regulations) of that Act on the day on which this Act is passed."

Clause 71, page 68, line 21, at end insert- “(A1) The Secretary of State must make regulations under section 65 within six months of the day on which this Act is passed."

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause – "Local Authority Social Media Strategies (1) A local authority must prepare and publish a social media strategy. (2) The strategy must set out- (a) how the local authority intends to use individual social media platforms, (b) governance and oversight arrangements for social media use, and (c) arrangements for review of the strategy. (3) The strategy must include a risk assessment addressing- (a) risks relating to misinformation and disinformation, (b) risks to public trust and confidence, and (c) risks relating to data protection, information security, and the use of automated or algorithmic tools."

3

Clause 2, page 2, line 18, at beginning insert “energy,”

4

Clause 2, page 2, line 21, at end insert “, including through tourism”

9

Clause 2, page 2, line 24, at end insert- "(h) reducing poverty and socio-economic inequality; (i) food security."

10

Clause 2, page 2, line 24, at end insert- "(h) culture and heritage"

21

Schedule 1, page 92, line 35, leave out paragraph (d)

24

Schedule 1, page 94, line 16, leave out from “order” to end of line 19 and insert “ — (a) having regard to the importance of the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of some or all of the people of the area in relation to the areas of competence of the authority, and (b) in relation to a proposal under section 109A that the authority may be expected to achieve the purposes specified under subsection (7) of that section."

41

Clause 6, page 3, line 32, leave out from “CCA” to end of line 33

42

Clause 6, page 4, line 6, at end insert “or such voting power as may be determined under section 10(2)(b)”

43

Clause 6, page 5, line 20, leave out “and such a majority must include the mayor, or the deputy mayor acting in place of the mayor"

44

Clause 6, page 5, line 29, at end insert “, or such voting power as may be determined in accordance with the provisions of section 84(2)(b) of the Local Transport Act 2008 (constitutional arrangements) as applied to the combined authority by section 104(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (constitution and functions: transport)."

46

Schedule 2, page 116, line 20, at end insert- "2A In Section 12D of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (contents of spatial development strategy), after subsection (5) insert — "(5A) In preparing a spatial development strategy, the strategic planning authority must have regard to the Environmental Improvement Plan

49

Clause 8, page 9, line 15, at end insert “, and may not be made without the consent of the Combined County Authority”

54

Schedule 3, page 121, line 3, after “one” insert “or more”

55

Schedule 3, page 121, line 4, leave out “area” and insert “areas”

57

Schedule 3, page 121, leave out lines 21 to 32

58

Schedule 3, page 128, line 26, after “one” insert “or more”

59

Schedule 3, page 128, line 27, leave out “area” and insert “areas”

61

Schedule 3, page 129, leave out lines 7 to 18

62

Clause 10, page 12, line 34, at end insert- “(3A) Any report produced under subsection (3) must be produced annually and published on the website of the Combined County Authority.”

75

After Clause 15, insert the following new Clause- "Review of the London governance model Within 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a review of the effectiveness, accountability and outcomes of the Greater London Authority governance model, including lessons applicable to mayoral and combined authority arrangements established under this Act."

102

Leave out Clause 22, and insert the following new Clause- "Joint Strategic Development Plans and Joint Strategic Planning Boards (1) The Secretary of State must issue guidance on the circumstances in which strategic authorities should consider the preparation of Joint Strategic Development Plans with neighbouring strategic authorities, particularly where strategic planning matters have cross-boundary effects. (2) Where- (a) the area of two or more strategic authorities forms a significant part of a housing market, labour market, transport corridor, environmental system or infrastructure network that extends into each other's boundaries, and (b) the effective exercise of strategic planning functions would be materially enhanced by joint plan-making, the strategic authorities must broadly follow the aforementioned guidance and exercise those functions jointly with one or more neighbouring strategic authorities, (3) Joint exercise of functions under subsection (2) includes the preparation, publication, review and revision of a Joint Strategic Development Plan. (4) A Joint Strategic Development Plan must be overseen by a Joint Strategic Planning Board comprising representatives appointed by each participating strategic authority. (5) Where the Secretary of State considers that strategic authorities are failing, or are likely to fail, to comply with this section, the Secretary of State may - (a) direct the strategic authorities to prepare a Joint Strategic Development Plan, and (b) require participation in mediation or arbitration. (6) A direction under subsection (5) may be given before the submission of a draft plan. (7) The Secretary of State must publish reasons for any direction made under subsection (5)."

103

After Clause 22, insert the following new Clause – “Duty on mayors to establish a citizens' assembly (1) After section 17E of LURA 2023 (inserted by section 22 of this Act), insert – "17F Duty to establish a citizens' assembly (1) The mayor for an area of a CCA must establish a deliberative citizen's assembly (“the assembly”) within six months beginning on the day of their election. (2) The purpose of the assembly is to inform strategic decision making on relevant local matters. (3) The assembly must comprise at least 40 persons from the area of the CСА, who are - (a) selected by sortition or lottery, and (b) representative of the population of the local authority area. (4) "Relevant local matters” are such matters as the mayor may specify with the agreement of the assembly. (5) The mayor must make arrangements for - (a) the assembly to convene within one year beginning on the day on which the mayor is first elected, and at least once per year thereafter; (b) the establishment of a regular consultation process with the assembly in addition to its convening under paragraph (2)(a); (6) The mayor must- (a) take into account any recommendation made by the assembly either at a convened meeting, or in regular consultation; (b) publish a response to any such recommendation within two months beginning on the day on which the mayor first receives the recommendation." (2) After section 103E of LDEDCA 2009 (inserted by section 22 of this Act), insert— "103F Duty to establish a citizens' assembly (1) The mayor for the area of a combined authority must establish a deliberative citizen's assembly (“the assembly”) within six months beginning on the day of their election. (2) The purpose of the assembly is to inform strategic decision making on relevant local matters. (3) The assembly must comprise at least 40 persons from the area of the combined authority, who are -

104

After Clause 22, insert the following new Clause- “Power of mayors to convene meetings with local public service providers and government (1) After section 17E of LURA 2023 (inserted by section 22 of this Act) insert- "17F Mayoral duty to convene meetings with local public service providers and government (1) The mayor for the area of a CCA must convene regular meetings with- (a) principal local authorities within their area, (b) public service providers in their area, and (c) town and parish councils within their area. (2) Meeting under subsection (1) must occur at least every 12 months." (2) After section 103E of LDEDCA 2009 (inserted by section 22 of this Act), insert- “103F Mayoral duty to convene meetings with local public service providers and government (1) The mayor for the area of a CCA must convene regular meetings with- (a) principal local authorities within their area, (b) public service providers in their area, and (c) town and parish councils within their area. (2) Meeting under subsection (1) must occur at least every 12 months.” (3) After section 40E of GLAA 1999 (inserted by section 22 of this Act) insert- "40F Mayoral duty to convene meetings with local public service providers and government (1) The mayor for the area of a CCA must convene regular meetings with– (a) principal local authorities within their area, (b) public service providers in their area, and

105

LORD ΜOYLAN

Schedule 5, page 139, leave out lines 16 to 20

106

LORD ΜOYLAN

Schedule 5, page 139, line 27, leave out “subsections (1)(c) and” and insert “subsection”

107

LORD ΜOYLAN

Schedule 5, page 140, leave out lines 3 to 16

110

Leave out "sufficient"

111

Schedule 5, page 141, line 16, at end insert- "22IA Disposal or destruction of micromobility vehicles (1) Where a micromobility vehicle or associated equipment has been removed by or on behalf of a licensing authority following a contravention of section 22E, the licensing authority may dispose of or destroy it if — (a) the person providing the vehicle cannot be identified (b) the vehicle has not been claimed within a period of three days beginning with the day on which it was removed, or (d) the vehicle or equipment poses a continuing risk to public safety. (2) Before disposing of or destroying a vehicle under this section, the licensing authority must where reasonably practicable, give notice to the person appearing to be the provider of the vehicle, if applicable."

115

Schedule 9, page 157, leave out lines 22 to 25

116

Schedule 9, page 160, line 6, at end insert “, which the Secretary of State must revise to include guidance on Key Route Networks, ensuring that this power cannot be used to undo Traffic Regulation Orders.”

117

LORD ΜOYLAN

Schedule 9, page 165, line 6 at end insert – "8A In section 2(1)(a), after “area” insert “other than a key route network road"."

120

After Clause 30, insert the following new Clause – “Rail devolution: passenger rail services A mayoral combined authority has the power to provide, or secure the provision of, passenger rail services within, or within the surroundings of, its area.”

121

Schedule 10, page 170, line 36, leave out paragraph 14

129

In subsection (1), after “employment” insert “, public and active transport provision”

134

Clause 39, page 39, line 27, at end insert “and cultural ecosystem plans”

140

Schedule 20, page 225, line 22, at end insert - “(d) take account of the statutory health duty and health inequalities strategy prepared by the strategic authority, and (e) promote community wealth building, cooperatives, mutuals and the wider social economy as mechanisms to narrow health inequalities."

144

Schedule 20, page 227, line 23, at end insert - "(d) identify the infrastructure projects required to meet the growth priorities and spatial development implications of employment-related growth opportunities."

145

Schedule 20, page 227, line 23, at end insert - "(d) identify the spatial development implications required to meet the employment, industrial, commercial and logistic growth opportunities identified in the local growth plan;"

147

Schedule 20, page 230, line 9, at end insert — “Cultural ecosystem plans 2 (1) A mayoral combined authority must prepare and publish a multi-year local cultural ecosystem plan developed in partnership with its constituent local authorities relating to their local cultural assets and workforce. (2) A cultural ecosystem plan must- (a) complement local growth plans, (b) align with and improve existing local cultural and creative strategies, and (c) map existing cultural infrastructure including any relevant venues, studies, archives, heritage assets, and digital assets.”

159

Clause 44, page 45, line 1, leave out from “of” to end of line 3 and insert “general state of health which is wholly or partly a result of differences in respect of general health determinants, including - (a) life expectancy, (b) healthy life expectancy, (c) disability, and (d) mental health and wellbeing.”"

160

Clause 44, page 45, line 5, after “housing,” insert “including access to affordable low carbon energy,”

161

Clause 44, page 45, line 7, at end insert- "(ba) exposure to water pollution and resilience to flooding and heatwaves,"

163

Clause 44, page 45, line 11, at end insert “and the ability of communities to meaningfully shape local decisions that impact their health and wellbeing,"

164

Clause 44, page 45, line 12, after “substances,” insert “the consumption of ultra processed foods,"

165

Clause 44, page 45, line 13, after “lifestyle” insert “, including diet”

166

Clause 44, page 45, line 25, at end insert- “107ZBA Health inequalities strategy (1) Each strategic authority must prepare and publish a health inequalities strategy setting out how it will operationalise the duty under section 107ZB. (2) The strategy may be a standalone document or incorporated within another statutory or strategic plan of the authority. (3) The strategy must promote health improvement and the reduction of health inequalities between persons living in the strategic authority area. (4) In preparing the strategy, an authority must have regard to relevant national and local strategies relating to health improvement and the reduction of health inequalities.

167

Clause 44, page 45, line 39, leave out from “of” to end of line 41 and insert “general state of health which is wholly or partly a result of differences in respect of general health determinants, including - "(a) life expectancy, (b) healthy life expectancy, (c) disability, and (d) mental health and wellbeing."

169

After Clause 44, insert the following new Clause – “Duty relating to allotments and community gardening spaces (1) When fulfilling its health improvement and health inequalities duty under section 44, a combined authority must have regard to the need to increase the provision of allotments and community gardening spaces to improve the health of persons in the authority's area and to reduce health inequalities. (2) In complying with this section, a combined authority must- (a) publish an annual report detailing- (i) the size of the allotment waiting list or lists in its area, and (ii) the number of allotments owned and leased in its areas; (b) take reasonable steps to ensure that across its area the number of persons waiting for allotments is no more than one half of the total number of allotments owned and leased; (c) provide funding for the employment of community organisers and the provision of spaces to support community gardening across its area.”

171

Schedule 22, page 235, line 2, after “Area,” insert “or for more than one Area,”

184

Clause 54, page 58, line 4, leave out subsection (3).

192

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause- "Duty to contribute to delivery of nature, clean air and climate targets (1) When exercising their functions, a strategic authority, mayor, or local authority must contribute to - (a) meeting the targets and carbon budgets set under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008; (b) meeting the targets and interim targets set under Part 1 of the Environment Act 2021; (c) meeting the limit values set under Schedule 2 of the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010; (d) the delivery of the programme for adaptation to climate change under section 58 of the Climate Change Act 2008. (2) A strategic authority, mayor or local authority must not make any decision that is incompatible with the duty described in subsection (1). (3) Within one year beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must publish guidance describing the contribution that each strategic authority should make toward meeting the targets listed in subsection (1). (4) Guidance under subsection (3) must include clear metrics and measurable terms for strategic authorities, mayors and local authorities to meet."

193

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause- "Identification and monitoring of poverty (1) In their delivery of functions under this Act, strategic authorities must collect and publish annually information on the levels of poverty within their authority. (2) Poverty data collected by strategic authorities under subsection (1) must include information regarding- (a) age, (b) gender, (c) housing occupancy status, (d) education, and (e) ethnicity, and may include other information regarded as relevant."

194

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause – "Community wealth building (1) A strategic authority has a duty to prepare and publish a Community Wealth Building Action Plan (“a plan”). (2) The purposes of a plan are to facilitate and support the— (a) generation, (b) circulation, and (c) retention of wealth in local and regional economies. (3) A plan under this section must include provision about- (a) the development of plural ownership models for the local economy, including co-operatives, (b) the development of fair employment and labour markets, (c) procurement practices that support local economic development, and (d) promoting the socially productive use of land and property. (4) Strategic authorities may convene groups of anchor institutions (“anchor institution networks") within the strategic authority area to support the development and implementation of a plan. (5) Strategic authorities may make arrangements to support anchor institution networks for the purpose of delivering a plan. (6) For the purposes of this section an “anchor institution” means any organisation within the strategic authority area that the strategic authority considers relevant for the delivery of a plan, including, but not limited to - (a) employers; (b) landowners or purchasers; (c) community groups; (d) groups with another relevant connection to the area. (7) Strategic authorities have a right to request powers to apply local levies to private equity in local public services.”

195

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause- "English Local Government Council (1) Within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must establish a national body called the English Local Government Council. (2) The general functions of the Council are to- (a) to represent English local government in matters relating to devolution, (b) to work with central government to create a framework for the further devolution of power to English local government (“the Devolution Framework"), (c) to work with central government to agree the fair funding of local and strategic authorities, and (d) to identify a representative or representatives of the English Local Government Council to participate in the Council of Nations and Regions. (3) The members of the Council are – (a) a person appointed by constituent members of each strategic authority to represent the combined local authority in the proceedings of the Council, and (b) the Mayor of London. (4) The Secretary of State must, by regulations, make provision about the operation of the Council. (5) The Regulations must, in particular, make provision about- (a) staffing of the Council, (b) proceedings of the Council, (c) accounting and other record-keeping by the Council, (d) publication of proceedings of the Council, and (e) publication of guidance and advice by the Council. (6) In making regulations the Secretary of State must, in particular – (a) provide for transitional arrangements to ensure that upper-tier authorities that are not part of a combined local authority are represented in the Council, (b) allow for weighting of the voting power of strategic authorities to account for combined local authorities having different population sizes, and (c) require the Mayor of London to consult with representatives of London authorities in performing functions as a member of the Council. (7) Members of the Council must pay annual fees to the Council, which must be set by the Secretary of State in regulations. (8) The Secretary of State must pay the costs of the establishment and maintenance of the Council, except in so far as those costs are met from annual fees. (9) Regulations made under this section— (a) are to be made by statutory instrument subject to affirmative resolution procedure, and (b) may include incidental, consequential or transitional provision.”

196

After Clause 56, insert the following new Clause- “Duty of local public service partners to co-operate (1) The Secretary of State must, by regulations made by statutory instrument, designate certain persons or bodies as local public service partners" for the purposes of this section. (2) Those designated must include, at a minimum- (a) NHS bodies, (b) police and fire authorities, and (c) any other public service providers exercising functions in the area of a strategic authority, in addition to the principal councils in that area. (3) A local public service partner operating (in whole or in part) in the area of a strategic authority must, in exercising its functions so far as they affect that area, co-operate with- (a) the strategic authority, and (b) the principal councils for that area. (4) The duty to co-operate under subsection (3) includes, in particular – (a) a duty to attend any meeting reasonably convened by the mayor of the strategic authority under section 21 (or by the strategic authority acting collectively), when given due notice, (b) a duty to provide information and assistance to the strategic authority and to principal councils, insofar as reasonably required to facilitate the exercise of their functions or any joint planning of services for that area, and (c) a duty to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis with the strategic authority and principal councils when formulating or implementing policies, plans and services that affect the area. (5) In performing the duty set out in subsection (3), a local public service partner must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State on the implementation of whole-area public service collaboration. (6) In this section, “principal councils” means the county, district or London borough councils (including the Common Council of the City of London) whose territories lie within the area of the strategic authority."

203

Schedule 27, page 296, line 37, after “economic” insert “, environmental"

204

Schedule 27, page 296, line 38, after “economic” insert “, environmental”

209

Clause 60, page 61, line 39, at end insert- “(e) requiring that local engagement activities under paragraph (d) meet minimum standards to ensure meaningful community participation, including- (i) the use of deliberative processes such as citizens' panels, assemblies, or community conversations, (ii) the active inclusion of communities most likely to be impacted by the policy measures, and communities underrepresented in policy making, and (iii) reporting, and publication of resulting reports, on how community input has influenced local plans and decisions; (f) providing existing local democratic bodies, including parish and town councils, with appropriate powers, funding and infrastructure to support and facilitate such participation.”

210

After Clause 60, insert the following new Clause – “Constitution of new parishes (1) In section 87 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (constitution of new parish) – (a) after subsection (1) insert – “(1A) Notwithstanding any requirement for a community governance review, the Secretary of State may, by order, direct that new parishes are to be constituted in any unparished area.”; (b) In section (4) after “the review” insert “or a direction by the Secretary of State". (2) The Secretary of State must issue guidance under section 100 to secure that unparished areas are brought into a parished area wherever reasonably practicable."

214

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause - "Councillors: proportional representation vote system (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations introduce a proportional representation vote system in elections of local authority councillors. (2) The regulations in subsection (1) are subject to affirmative resolution procedure."

215

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause – "Councillors: proportional representation vote system (No. 2) (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations introduce a proportional representation vote system in elections of local authority councillors. (2) The regulations in subsection (1) are subject to affirmative resolution procedure. (3) Such regulations must provide for a mechanism by which councils may democratically decide to opt for such a voting system, or a referendum of local residents may be held to direct such a voting system be deployed.”

216

After Clause 61, insert the following new Clause – "Limitation on delay to elections resulting from local government reorganisation (1) The Secretary of State may not make any order or regulations to delay the ordinary elections of councillors of any specified authority if - (a) the order or regulations result from any change to local government organisation under or by virtue of this Act, and (b) the effect of the order or regulations is to delay any such election by a period exceeding 53 weeks from the date on which it was originally scheduled to be held. (2) For the purposes of this section, “any order or regulations” includes – (a) an order under section 87 (power to change years in which elections held) of the Local Government Act 2000; (b) an order under sections 7 (implementation of proposals by order), 10 (implementation of recommendations by order of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007; (c) any other delegated power exercisable by order or by regulations in relation to the scheduling of ordinary elections of councillors."

221

After Clause 62, insert the following new Clause – “Power to provide for an elected mayor to appoint a deputy mayor (1) Section 107C of LDEDCA 2009 (deputy mayors) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1), for “one of the members of the authority to be the mayor's deputy" substitute “a deputy mayor”. (3) In subsection (3)(c), for “member of the combined authority” substitute “councillor of a constituent council of the authority”. (4) In subsection (4), for “member of the combined authority” substitute “councillor of a constituent council"."

223

Schedule 29, page 296, line 37, after “economic” insert “, cultural"

224

Schedule 29, page 296, line 38, after “economic” insert “, cultural"

225

Schedule 29, page 296, line 38, after “community” insert “or furthers the environmental wellbeing of the local communities, as long as the land is not allocated in the local development plan"

226

Schedule 29, page 296, line 41, after “economic” insert “, environmental"

227

Schedule 29, page 297, line 1, after “economic” insert “, cultural”

228

Schedule 29, page 297, line 1, after “economic” insert “, environmental"

229

Schedule 29, page 297, line 9, after the first “economic” insert “, cultural”

230

Schedule 29, page 297, line 9, after the second “economic” insert “, cultural”

231

Schedule 29, page 297, line 14, after “economic” insert “, cultural"

232

Schedule 29, page 297, line 15, after “economic” insert “, cultural"

233

Schedule 29, page 298, line 8, at end insert- “cultural interests” includes those represented by venues for the furthering of specialist skills, performance or exhibition including (but not limited to) music venues, recording studios, theatres, rehearsal spaces, visual artists' studios and other creative spaces."

234

Schedule 29, page 298, leave out line 10

235

Schedule 29, page 311, line 5, at end insert “and the market value is to be assessed in accordance with section 14A(3) of the Land Compensation Act 1961 (cases where prospect of planning permission to be ignored)"

237

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause – "Duty of local service partners to cooperate (1) The Secretary of State must by regulations designate certain persons or bodies as local public service partners for the purposes of this section. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) must include - (a) integrated care boards and NHS Trusts, (b) police and fire authorities, and (c) any other public service provider, exercising functions wholly or partly in the area of the strategic authority or principal council. (3) A local public service partner in subsection (2) must, in exercising its functions so far as they affect that area, cooperate with - (a) the strategic authority, and (b) the principal councils for that area. (4) The duty to cooperate under subsection (3) includes - (a) a duty to attend any meeting reasonably convened by the mayor of the strategic authority under section 21 (or by the strategic authority acting collectively), when given due notice, (b) a duty to provide information and assistance to the strategic authority and to principal councils, insofar as reasonably required to facilitate the exercise of their functions or any joint planning of services for that area, and (c) a duty to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis with the strategic authority and principal councils when formulating or implementing policies, plans or services that affect the area. (5) In performing the duty under subsection (3), a local public service partner must have regard to any guidance issues by the Secretary of State on the implementation of the whole-area public service collaboration. (6) Regulations under this section are subject to affirmative resolution procedure. (7) In this section, “principal councils” means the county, district or London borough councils (including the Common Council of the City of London) whose territories lie within the area of the strategic authority.”

238

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause- “Civil enforcement powers of local authorities (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision enabling local authorities to undertake civil enforcement of obligations imposed by or under any enactment or subordinate legislation for which they are responsible. (2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision about- (a) the nature and scope of civil enforcement powers that may be exercised; (b) the imposition of penalties, fines, or remedial requirements; (c) procedures to secure compliance with obligations; (d) safeguards to ensure enforcement is proportionate, transparent, and consistent with relevant statutory and procedural requirements. (3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament."

239

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause – “Community cultivation schemes (1) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for a system that requires any local authority to maintain a list of land in its area suitable for community cultivation, and permits residents to cultivate suitable land held by public authorities for the purpose of growing food crops or environmental protection, within the meaning of section 45 of the Environment Act 2021, on condition that requirements prescribed by the regulations are met. (2) Requirements prescribed by the regulations may, among other things, include requirements to – (a) set out the meaning of “community cultivation” and “meanwhile use leases'; (b) set out what land is suitable and who can nominate land as being suitable; (c) establish parameters around how long a piece of land would need to be available to be considered as suitable, with a principle that any land granted for the purpose of community cultivation is not granted in perpetuity; (d) require local authorities to publish lists of land suitable for cultivation. (3) Regulations under this section are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure."

240

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause – "Duty to optimise the use of public land (1) It is the duty of every designated public body to secure the optimal use of land and legal estates owned by them, to promote or improve the economic, social and environmental circumstances of their areas (“the optimal use duty"). (2) The optimal use duty also applies to- (a) the disposal of land, whether under the provisions listed in subsection (3), (b) any conditions relating to the disposal of any land and legal estates for any purpose and over any timescale, and (c) any requirement to secure the best consideration reasonably obtainable, as part of the disposal of land under the provisions listed in subsections (3)(a) to (c). (3) The provisions referred to in subsection (2) are – (a) section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 (disposal of land by principal councils), (b) section 209 of the Localism Act 2011 (restrictions on disposal of land), and (c) section 10 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (restrictions on disposal of land), (d) section 17 of the New Towns Act 1981 (conditions as to disposal), and (e) section 146 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (disposal by corporations). (4) All local authorities must prepare and publish a land use management plan, in a manner to be determined by the Secretary of State, which demonstrates how existing and proposed land uses have been optimised to achieve the economic, social and environmental objectives in subsection (1). (5) In this section- "designated public bodies” means (a) local authorities in England, including strategic authorities defined in Part 1 of this Act; (b) mayoral development corporations established by section 198 of the Localism Act 201; (c) new town development corporations established by section 3 of the New Towns Act 1981; (d) Urban Development Corporations established by section 135 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, including locally-led urban development corporations established by section 171 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023; "optimal use" means the most effective use of land and legal estates to contribute to - (a) the objectives and requirements of the relevant local and neighbourhood development plans and any national development management policies issued under sections 86 and 87 of the Levelling Up & Regeneration Act 2023 (powers to require data); (b) the environmental principles set out in sections 17 to 19 of the Environment Act 2021 (policy statement on environmental principles) and any direction under Part 6 of the Levelling Up & Regeneration Act 2023 (environmental outcomes reports) relating to environmental outcomes affecting the land and legal estates; (c) any other objectives and requirements determined by the Secretary of State. (6) Schedule (Duty to optimise the use of public land) makes amendments in connection with a duty of public bodies to optimise the use of public land."

241

After Clause 73, insert the following new Clause- "Report on Local Area Energy Plans The Secretary of State must, within 18 months of the day on which this Act is passed, publish a report setting out - (a) the number of strategic, combined, or local authorities that have— (i) developed, or (ii) implemented a Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP); (b) barriers to progress that authorities have had in the introduction of LAEPs; (c) options for introducing, within one year of publication of the report, a statutory requirement for LAEPS; (d) proposals for funding, technical support, training, and capacity building initiatives to assist local authorities in preparing and implementing LAEPs; (e) clear evaluation criteria and success metrics for the programme and any pilots carried out."

242

After Schedule 30, insert the following new Schedule- "SCHEDULE DUTY TO OPTIMISE THE USE OF PUBLIC LAND 1 In section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 (disposal of land by principal councils), after subsection (2B) insert — "(2C) In relation to the disposal of land and legal estates by principal councils in England, the duty in subsection (1) of section (Duty to optimise the use of public land) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 is fulfilled by obtaining the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained for an existing or proposed land use that secures the optimal use of land within the meaning of subsection (5) of that section over any timescale. (2D) In a disposal of land under this section a council must impose any covenant, restriction or charge necessary to secure the optimal use of the disposed land, and the Secretary of State in giving any consent under this section may require the same." 2 In section 209 of the Localism Act 2011 (restrictions on disposal of land), after subsection (4) insert - “(5) In relation to the disposal of land and legal estates by mayoral development corporations, the duty in subsection (1) of section (Duty to optimise the use of public land) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 is fulfilled by obtaining the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained for an existing or proposed land use that secures the optimal use of public land within the meaning of subsection (5) of that section. (6) In a disposal of land under this section a mayoral development corporation must impose any covenant, restriction or charge necessary to secure the optimal use of the disposed land, and a mayor in giving any consent under this section may require the same." 3 In section 17 of the New Towns Act 1981 (conditions as to disposal), after subsection (4) insert - “(5) In relation to the disposal of land and legal estates by a new town development corporation, the duty in subsection (1) of section (Duty to optimise the use of public land) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 is fulfilled by a disposal that will ensure an existing or proposed land use that secures the optimal use of public land within the meaning of subsection (5) of that section. (6) In a disposal of land under this section a new town development corporation must impose a covenant, restriction or charge necessary to secure the optimal use of the disposed land.” 4 In section 146 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (disposal by corporation), after subsection (5) insert- “(5A) In relation to the disposal of land and legal estates by an urban development corporation, the duty in subsection (1) of section (Duty to optimise the use of public land) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 is fulfilled by a sale that will ensure an existing or proposed land use that secures the optimal use of public land within the meaning of subsection (5) of that section. (5B) In a disposal of land under this section an urban development corporation must impose a covenant, restriction or charge necessary to secure the optimal use of the disposed land.”””

257

Clause 86, page 83, line 7, at end insert- ““community" means an urban or rural area with a sense of shared identity, of variable size;"

258

Clause 86, page 83, line 26, at end insert- ““local” means an area suitable for shared government, linked by easy communication among its constituent communities;"

259

Clause 86, page 83, line 42, at end insert- “neighbourhood” means a district within a town or city, limited in size by the ability of most of its inhabitants to walk from one extent to another;"

263

Clause 92, page 88, line 21 at end insert – "(6A) Section 10 does not come into force until guidance under subsections 10(2) and 10(4) has been published by the Secretary of State and laid before Parliament.”

Schedule 34

The above-named Lords give notice of their intention to oppose the Question that Schedule 34 be the Thirty-Fourth Schedule to the Bill.

Clause 2, page 2, line 24, at end insert — “(h) community engagement and empowerment.”

Schedule 1, page 99, line 11, leave out from beginning to end of line 6 on page 101

Schedule 2, page 116, line 20, at end insert- "2A In section 12D of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (contents of spatial development strategy), after subsection (3) insert – "(3A) A spatial development strategy must identify the policies which are of strategic importance in order to meet the local growth priorities identified in the relevant local growth plan for that strategic area.”””

Clause 8, page 8, line 31, at end insert- "(2A) The Secretary of State may designate a mayoral CCA only if they are satisfied that the authority is meeting, or is capable of meeting, the requirements for effective governance, accountability and specified performance metrics.”

Clause 8, page 9, line 38, at end insert- "(2A) The Secretary of State may designate a mayoral CCA only if they are satisfied that the authority is meeting, or is capable of meeting, the requirements for effective governance, accountability and specified performance metrics.”

Clause 9, page 11, line 4, leave out “7” and insert “8”

Clause 9, page 11, line 29, leave out “7” and insert “8”

After Clause 9, insert the following new Clause- "Scrutiny of mayoral commissioners (1) The mayor of a combined county authority must establish, for each commissioner appointed by the mayor, a scrutiny committee composed of elected members of the constituent local authorities. (2) The purpose of each scrutiny committee is to review, assess and report on the exercise of the policy responsibilities of the commissioner to whom it relates. (3) Each scrutiny committee must have the following powers – (a) to require the mayor, the relevant commissioner, or any member of their staff to attend before the committee to give evidence; (b) to require the production of any documents relevant to the exercise of the commissioner's functions; (c) to publish reports on the committee's findings and recommendations. (4) The mayor and the relevant commissioner must have regard to any report or recommendation made by the corresponding scrutiny committee under this section."

After Clause 15, insert the following new Clause- “London Local Authorities Joint Committee London Local Authorities Joint Committee (1) There is established a body corporate, to be known as the London Local Authorities Joint Committee (“the Committee"). (2) The leader of each relevant council is a member of the Committee. (3) The functions of the Committee are to— (a) respond to any consultation mentioned in section 32(2) of Greater London Authority Act 1999 (consultation); (b) respond to any consultation mentioned in paragraph 3(5) of Schedule 25; (c) exercise any function delegated to the Committee by a relevant council which that council may delegate by virtue of any enactment. (4) The Committee may receive funding from a relevant council. (5) The Secretary of State may pay a grant to the Committee of such amounts and subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may determine. (6) Schedule (London Local Authorities Joint Committee) makes provision about the constitution of the Committee. (7) The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make further provision relating to the constitution, functions and governance of the Committee. (8) Regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution procedure. (9) In this section, “relevant council” means- (a) a London borough council, or (b) the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority. (10) In subsection (2), the leader of the Common Council of the City of London is a member of the Common Council nominated by the Common Council to perform that role."

After Clause 15, insert the following new Clause – "Power to pay grant (1) Section 33(1) of the Local Government Act 2003 (interpretation of Chapter 1) is amended as follows. (2) After paragraph (m), insert – "(n) the London Local Authorities Joint Committee, established under section (London Local Authorities Joint Committee) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.”

After Clause 15, insert the following new Clause – "Consultation by the Greater London Authority (1) Section 32 of the GLAA 1999 (consultation) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (2)(b), insert - "(ba) the London Local Authorities Joint Committee, established under section (London Local Authorities Joint Committee) of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.”

Clause 18, page 22, line 7, at the line end insert – "(3A) After subsection (13) insert— "(14) When making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must have regard to the need to identify and minimise any conflict, overlap, or duplication between the functions of the Mayor and the functions of other authorities or public bodies.”