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The noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, referred to the Budget Statement today. I will not go into much detail about this, but in Committee we discussed the delegation of functions and powers, and today we have seen in the Budget Statement the announcement that Greater Manchester and the Leeds city region are indeed to become city region pilot areas. It outlined new powers that have been agreed with them and provides a process for developing new approaches to sub-regional working. All I will say is that the city region process is not the same as the process of working towards an EPB, but it illustrates that we are serious in our attempt to facilitate sub-regional working, and the EPBs would be an option as a legal personality for those local authorities if it was felt that that would facilitate those ambitions.
I have laid Amendment 168AU in this group, which replicates the one that was laid by the noble Baroness, Lady Warsi, and the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield, in Committee. It will allow the Secretary of State to issue guidance to integrated transport authorities about the process of establishing a combined authority. That is appropriate, as ITAs are one of the bodies that could initiate the creation of a combined authority under Clause 105.
Baroness Hamwee: My Lords, I omitted to thank the Minister for the time and effort that she put into discussions at all stages of the Bill, including between Committee and Report. I know she did not mention that in order to prompt me, but I am grateful for the prompt.
She told us that the Local Government Association supports the proposals so long as they are voluntary, which is exactly my point. The government amendments about non-unitary districts do not answer my points, which I do not want to repeat, about whether in practice the arrangement will be voluntary. Bringing authorities together—she used the term “coerce”, which is not quite the one that I would use, but if she characterises what I am saying in that way, so be it—and then calling it a partnership is not my understanding of how a partnership should grow organically.
These arrangements are clearly, as I have said before, part of the Government’s city region agenda. I do not for a moment suggest that they are not serious—the Minister has just referred to the announcements about Greater Manchester and Leeds—but we are saying that the design is not uniformly appropriate. The publication of the scheme, to which she referred, does not answer my concern. She said that it was at the request of one or more local authorities. Exactly, and my amendments are to require the request of all the local authorities.
We and the Government have a different understanding of the terms “partnership” and “voluntary”. I therefore wish to test the opinion of the House.
6.53 pm
22 Apr 2009 : Column 1552
Addington, L.
Barker, B.
Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury, B.
Burnett, L.
Chidgey, L.
Cotter, L.
Dholakia, L.
Falkland, V.
Garden of Frognal, B.
Glasgow, E.
Goodhart, L.
Greaves, L.
Hamwee, B.
Harris of Richmond, B.
Jones of Cheltenham, L.
Kirkwood of Kirkhope, L.
Laird, L.
Lee of Trafford, L. [Teller]
Lester of Herne Hill, L.
Linklater of Butterstone, B.
McNally, L.
Maddock, B.
Mar and Kellie, E.
Miller of Chilthorne Domer, B.
Neuberger, B.
Northover, B.
Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, L.
Razzall, L.
Redesdale, L.
Roberts of Llandudno, L.
Sharp of Guildford, B.
Shutt of Greetland, L. [Teller]
Smith of Clifton, L.
Taverne, L.
Thomas of Gresford, L.
Thomas of Walliswood, B.
Thomas of Winchester, B.
Tope, L.
Tordoff, L.
Tyler, L.
Wallace of Tankerness, L.
Walmsley, B.
Watson of Richmond, L.
Adams of Craigielea, B.
Amos, B.
Andrews, B.
Archer of Sandwell, L.
Bach, L.
Bassam of Brighton, L. [Teller]
Berkeley, L.
Bernstein of Craigweil, L.
Bilston, L.
Blackstone, B.
Borrie, L.
Bradley, L.
Brett, L.
Campbell-Savours, L.
Clarke of Hampstead, L.
Clinton-Davis, L.
Corbett of Castle Vale, L.
Craig of Radley, L.
Crawley, B.
Davies of Coity, L.
Davies of Oldham, L. [Teller]
Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, B.
Donoughue, L.
D'Souza, B.
Evans of Parkside, L.
Falconer of Thoroton, L.
Farrington of Ribbleton, B.
Faulkner of Worcester, L.
Filkin, L.
Finlay of Llandaff, B.
Foster of Bishop Auckland, L.
Gale, B.
Gibson of Market Rasen, B.
Golding, B.
Gordon of Strathblane, L.
Graham of Edmonton, L.
Grocott, L.
Harris of Haringey, L.
Hart of Chilton, L.
Haworth, L.
Hilton of Eggardon, B.
Hollis of Heigham, B.
Howarth of Newport, L.
Howie of Troon, L.
Hoyle, L.
Irvine of Lairg, L.
Janner of Braunstone, L.
Jay of Paddington, B.
Joffe, L.
Jones, L.
Judd, L.
Kilclooney, L.
Kirkhill, L.
Lea of Crondall, L.
Lofthouse of Pontefract, L.
McIntosh of Hudnall, B.
Mackenzie of Framwellgate, L.
McKenzie of Luton, L.
Maxton, L.
Montgomery of Alamein, V.
Moonie, L.
Morgan of Drefelin, B.
Morgan of Huyton, B.
Morris of Handsworth, L.
Morris of Yardley, B.
O'Neill of Clackmannan, L.
Patel of Blackburn, L.
Patel of Bradford, L.
Prosser, B.
Quin, B.
Rea, L.
Rees of Ludlow, L.
Rogan, L.
Rooker, L.
Rosser, L.
Rowe-Beddoe, L.
Rowlands, L.
Royall of Blaisdon, B.
Sawyer, L.
Scotland of Asthal, B.
Simon, V.
Smith of Gilmorehill, B.
Stone of Blackheath, L.
Thornton, B.
Tomlinson, L.
Truscott, L.
Tunnicliffe, L.
Wall of New Barnet, B.
Warner, L.
Warwick of Undercliffe, B.
Whitaker, B.
Wilkins, B.
Young of Norwood Green, L.
22 Apr 2009 : Column 1553
7.03 pm
Baroness Hamwee: My Lords, for the reasons I have explained, I beg to move Amendment 168C.
7.04 pm
Addington, L.
Barker, B.
Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury, B.
Burnett, L.
Chidgey, L.
Cotter, L.
Dholakia, L.
Falkland, V.
Garden of Frognal, B.
Glasgow, E.
Goodhart, L.
Greaves, L.
Hamwee, B.
Harris of Richmond, B.
Jones of Cheltenham, L.
Kirkwood of Kirkhope, L.
Laird, L.
Lee of Trafford, L. [Teller]
Lester of Herne Hill, L.
Linklater of Butterstone, B.
McNally, L.
Maddock, B.
Mar and Kellie, E.
Miller of Chilthorne Domer, B.
Neuberger, B.
Northover, B.
Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, L.
Razzall, L.
Redesdale, L.
Roberts of Llandudno, L.
Sharp of Guildford, B.
Shutt of Greetland, L. [Teller]
Smith of Clifton, L.
Taverne, L.
Thomas of Gresford, L.
Thomas of Walliswood, B.
Thomas of Winchester, B.
Tope, L.
Tordoff, L.
Tyler, L.
Wallace of Tankerness, L.
Walmsley, B.
Watson of Richmond, L.
Adams of Craigielea, B.
Amos, B.
Andrews, B.
Archer of Sandwell, L.
Bach, L.
Bassam of Brighton, L. [Teller]
Berkeley, L.
Bernstein of Craigweil, L.
Blackstone, B.
Borrie, L.
Bradley, L.
Brett, L.
Campbell-Savours, L.
Clarke of Hampstead, L.
Corbett of Castle Vale, L.
Craig of Radley, L.
Crawley, B.
Davies of Coity, L.
Davies of Oldham, L. [Teller]
Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, B.
Donoughue, L.
D'Souza, B.
Eames, L.
Elystan-Morgan, L.
Evans of Parkside, L.
Falconer of Thoroton, L.
Farrington of Ribbleton, B.
Faulkner of Worcester, L.
Finlay of Llandaff, B.
Foster of Bishop Auckland, L.
Gale, B.
Gibson of Market Rasen, B.
Golding, B.
Gordon of Strathblane, L.
Graham of Edmonton, L.
Grantchester, L.
Grocott, L.
Harris of Haringey, L.
Hart of Chilton, L.
Haworth, L.
Hilton of Eggardon, B.
Hollis of Heigham, B.
Howarth of Newport, L.
Howie of Troon, L.
22 Apr 2009 : Column 1554
Irvine of Lairg, L.
Janner of Braunstone, L.
Jay of Paddington, B.
Jones, L.
Judd, L.
Kilclooney, L.
Kirkhill, L.
Layard, L.
Lea of Crondall, L.
Lofthouse of Pontefract, L.
McIntosh of Hudnall, B.
Mackenzie of Framwellgate, L.
McKenzie of Luton, L.
Maxton, L.
Moonie, L.
Morgan of Drefelin, B.
Morgan of Huyton, B.
Morris of Handsworth, L.
Morris of Yardley, B.
O'Neill of Clackmannan, L.
Patel of Blackburn, L.
Patel of Bradford, L.
Prosser, B.
Quin, B.
Rogan, L.
Rooker, L.
Rosser, L.
Rowe-Beddoe, L.
Rowlands, L.
Royall of Blaisdon, B.
Sawyer, L.
Scotland of Asthal, B.
Simon, V.
Stoddart of Swindon, L.
Stone of Blackheath, L.
Thornton, B.
Tomlinson, L.
Truscott, L.
Tunnicliffe, L.
Wall of New Barnet, B.
Warner, L.
Whitaker, B.
Wilkins, B.
Young of Norwood Green, L.
7.14 pm
Amendments 168D and 168E not moved.
Clause 87 : Constitution: membership and voting
Clause 88 : Exercise of local authority functions
Amendments 168G and 168H not moved.
Clause 92 : Changes to boundaries of an EPB’s area
Clause 93 : Dissolution of an EPB’s area
22 Apr 2009 : Column 1555
Clause 94 : Review by authorities: new EPB
Clause 95 : Preparation and publication of scheme: new EPB
Amendments 168R and 168S agreed.
Clause 96 : Requirements in connection with establishment of EPB
Clause 97 : Review by authorities: existing EPB
Clause 98 : Preparation and publication of scheme: existing EPB
Clause 99 : Requirements in connection with changes to existing EPB arrangements
Clause 100 : Combined authorities and their areas
Amendments 168Y and 168Z not moved.
Clause 101 : Constitution and functions: transport
Amendments 168AA and 168AB not moved.
Clause 102 : Constitution and functions: economic development and regeneration
Clause 103 : Changes to boundaries of a combined authority’s area
22 Apr 2009 : Column 1556
Clause 104 : Dissolution of a combined authority’s area
Clause 105 : Review by authorities: new combined authority
Clause 106 : Preparation and publication of scheme: new combined authority
Amendments 168AH and 168AJ agreed.
Clause 107 : Requirements in connection with establishment of combined authority
Clause 108 : Review by authorities: existing combined authority
Clause 109 : Preparation and publication of scheme: existing combined authority
Clause 110 : Requirements in connection with changes to existing combined arrangements
Clause 111 : Incidental etc provision
Clause 112 : Transfer of property, rights and liabilities
Clause 113 : Consequential amendments
22 Apr 2009 : Column 1557
Clause 116 : Amendments relating to EPBs and combined authorities
Clause 127 : Duty to have regard to improvement targets
169: After Clause 134, insert the following new Clause—
(1) The Secretary of State shall convene an annual meeting with representatives of central and local government (“the central-local partnership”) for the purpose of reaching an agreement to comply with—
(a) a framework of principles for how central and local government work together to serve the public,
(b) common priorities and a shared programme of objectives for giving effect to these principles, and
(c) such partnership arrangements as are necessary to give effect to the relationship.
(2) The Secretary of State shall take such steps as are required to ensure the attendance at the annual meeting of representatives of government departments with responsibilities for partner authorities subject to the duty to cooperate under section of the 104 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28) (application of chapter: partner authorities).
(3) For the purposes of this section, “representatives of local government” will be any body of which formal notice has been given to the Secretary of State as having authority to enter into agreement on behalf of local authorities in England.
(4) In reaching agreement under subsection (1), the Secretary of State and representatives of local government shall consult representatives of such persons as appear to have an interest in the promotion of well-being in local authority areas, including representatives of the voluntary sector.
(5) The Secretary of State shall make an annual report to Parliament on the operation of the central-local partnership.”
Lord Rosser: My Lords, I have discussed my amendment with the Local Government Information Unit and, as I understand it, there have also been discussions between the LGIU and my noble friend the Minister. Perhaps I should say before I go any
22 Apr 2009 : Column 1558
In the 2007 Green Paper, The Governance of Britain, the Government proposed a concordat between central and local government. The Green Paper went on to say that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government should work with the Local Government Association to,
- “establish for the first time an agreement on the rights and responsibilities of local government, including its responsibilities to provide effective leadership to the local area and to empower local communities where possible”.
The concordat was duly agreed and signed in December 2007 by Sir Simon Milton for the Local Government Association and Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. It appears to have represented an agreement between key players rather than one based on consultation within the wider local government arena and with the national and local stakeholders involved.
I believe that there have been two previous documents along broadly similar lines. The December 2007 concordat replaced the agreement for the conduct of central-local relations of July 2002. Under the December 2007 concordat, meetings of the central-local partnership provided for under the 2002 agreement, which ceased in early 2006, would be renewed, and this partnership is responsible for monitoring the concordat and is also able to revise it in future.
The main elements of the concordat, which is more a statement of intent, are an acknowledgement of a joint responsibility to meet public expectations; a partnership in improving services with a set of shared objectives and a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level; an assertion of central government responsibilities to act in the national interest, and local government responsibilities for service performance, promoting prosperity and well-being and cohesion; definitions of reciprocal rights and responsibilities; a partnership in using taxpayers’ money well and a commitment to ensure that public services are properly funded; and greater flexibility for local councils in their funding.
Under the concordat there are a number of commitments for the future. The LGA and Government will work together to encourage all councils to make effective use of the well-being power, introduced by the Local Government Act 2000, and to conduct a growing share of the business of government. Government will reduce appraisal and approval regimes, ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes, and the volume of central guidance.
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