Draft Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017 (Amendment) Regulations 2024 Draft Combined Authorities (Mayors) Filling of Vacancies Order 2017 (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Jim McMahon Excerpts

Wednesday 31st January 2024 General Committees

[Jim McMahon (Oldham West and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. I confirm on behalf of the official Opposition that we do not intend to divide the Committee on this matter.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 provided for the establishment of combined county authorities. The Secretary of State may provide for there to be a mayor for those areas, and the draft regulations continue that work. Labour supported the passage of the original 2017 orders and all the statutory instruments that have followed since. These regulations are required in advance of the first planned combined county authority mayoral elections, for the east midlands in May 2024. One purpose for establishing combined authorities is to improve service delivery in local areas. We are immensely proud of the work that our Metro Mayors and their combined authorities are doing up and down the country to change the lives of millions of people. It would be remiss of me not to say that I hope Claire Ward in the east midlands will be soon to join that rank.

I have a vital question for the Government. In respect of the composition of county combined authorities, the role of the district council has been one of contention. We know from recent experiences in Lancashire that there can be fragmentation if there is not a shared endeavour or collective political leadership in a place. There is a danger, in that fragmentation, that changes on the ground end up being piecemeal and do not go far enough or fast enough.

In conclusion, Labour will push power out of Westminster with a take back control Act that gives communities a direct say in their future. We will start by giving all mayors and combined authorities the powers and flexibility to turbocharge growth in their areas, including over planning, housing, transport, net zero and adult education, creating genuine partners in power.