English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026

23 Duty of mayors to collaborate

(1) After section 17B of LURA 2023 (inserted by section 22 of this Act) insert— Request to collaborate 17C (1) The mayor for the area of a CCA (“mayor A”) may make a request to another elected mayor (“mayor B”) for the mayors to collaborate in relation to a matter relating to any aspect of any area of competence. (2) A collaboration request must specify— (a) the matter on which mayor A wants the mayors to collaborate, and (b) the way in which mayor A wants the mayors to collaborate. (3) Mayor A may make a collaboration request only if mayor A considers that the requested collaboration would be likely to improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of— (a) some or all of the people who live or work in mayor A’s area, or (b) some or all of the people who live or work in mayor A’s area and some or all of the people who live or work in mayor B’s area. (4) Mayor A may make a collaboration request only if mayor A’s area adjoins mayor B’s area. (5) A collaboration request must be in writing. (6) Mayor A must publish, in such manner as the mayor thinks appropriate, any collaboration request which the mayor makes. (7) The mayors for the areas of CCAs must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State in exercising powers, and complying with duties, under this section. (8) Section 17E makes provision about collaboration requests made by, or to, two or more elected mayors. (9) In this section, section 17D and section 17E— “area of competence” has the same meaning as in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (see section 2 of that Act); “collaboration request” means a request made under subsection (1); “elected mayor” means— the mayor for the area of a CCA, the mayor for the area of a combined authority, or the Mayor of London; “mayor A” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “mayor A’s area” means the area for which mayor A is the mayor; “mayor B” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “mayor B’s area” means the area for which mayor B is the mayor. Responding to a collaboration request 17D (1) In a case where a collaboration request is made to mayor B, the mayor must— (a) consider the collaboration request and decide how to respond, (b) set out the response in writing, (c) give the response to mayor A, and (d) publish, in such manner as the mayor thinks appropriate, the response. (2) In considering the collaboration request and deciding how to respond, mayor B must have regard to the economic, social and environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in mayor B’s area. (3) If mayor B decides not to agree to the collaboration request, or any part of it, mayor B must— (a) give the reasons for that decision, and (b) include the reasons in the response to mayor A. (4) Mayors to whom collaboration requests are made must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State in exercising the powers, and complying with the duties, under this section. Collaboration requests made by or to several mayors 17E (1) Two or more elected mayors (the “requesting mayors”) may make a collaboration request to a single elected mayor (the “potential collaborating mayor”) if— (a) at least one of the requesting mayors is the mayor for the area of a CCA, and (b) each requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (2) For that purpose, a requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area— (a) adjoins every other requesting mayor’s area, and (b) adjoins the potential collaborating mayor’s area. (3) If two or more elected mayors make a collaboration request to a single elected mayor— (a) sections 17C and 17D apply in relation to each of the requesting mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular requesting mayor, “mayor A” means that mayor. (4) A single mayor for the area of a CCA (the “requesting mayor”) may make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors (the “potential collaborating mayors”) if each potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (5) For that purpose, a potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area adjoins the requesting mayor’s area. (6) If a single mayor for the area of a CCA makes a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors— (a) sections 17C and 17D apply in relation to each of the potential collaborating mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular potential collaborating mayor, “mayor B” means that mayor. (7) Two or more elected mayors (the “requesting mayors”) may make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors (the “potential collaborating mayors”) if— (a) at least one of the requesting mayors is the mayor for the area of a CCA, (b) each requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test, and (c) each potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (8) For the purposes of subsection (7), a requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area— (a) adjoins every other requesting mayor’s area, and (b) adjoins every potential collaborating mayor’s area. (9) For the purposes of subsection (7), a potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area adjoins every requesting mayor’s area. (10) If two or more elected mayors make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors— (a) sections 17C and 17D apply in relation to each of the requesting mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular requesting mayor, “mayor A” means that mayor; (c) sections 17C and 17D apply in relation to each of the potential collaborating mayors separately, and (d) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular potential collaborating mayor, “mayor B” means that mayor. (11) In this section— “potential collaborating mayor’s area” means the area for which a potential collaborating mayor is the mayor; “requesting mayor’s area” means the area for which a requesting mayor is the mayor. (2) After section 103B of LDEDCA 2009 (inserted by section 22 of this Act) insert— Request to collaborate 103C (1) The mayor for the area of a combined authority (“mayor A”) may make a request to another elected mayor (“mayor B”) for the mayors to collaborate in relation to a matter relating to any aspect of any area of competence. (2) A collaboration request must specify— (a) the matter on which mayor A wants the mayors to collaborate, and (b) the way in which mayor A wants the mayors to collaborate. (3) Mayor A may make a collaboration request only if mayor A considers that the requested collaboration would be likely to improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of— (a) some or all of the people who live or work in mayor A’s area, or (b) some or all of the people who live or work in mayor A’s area and some or all of the people who live or work in mayor B’s area. (4) Mayor A may make a collaboration request only if mayor A’s area adjoins mayor B’s area. (5) A collaboration request must be in writing. (6) Mayor A must publish, in such manner as the mayor thinks appropriate, any collaboration request which the mayor makes. (7) The mayors for the areas of combined authorities must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State in exercising powers, and complying with duties, under this section. (8) Section 103E makes provision about collaboration requests made by, or to, two or more elected mayors. (9) In this section, section 103D and section 103E— “area of competence” has the same meaning as in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (see section 2 of that Act); “collaboration request” means a request made under subsection (1); “elected mayor” means— the mayor for the area of a combined authority, the mayor for the area of a combined county authority, or the Mayor of London; “mayor A” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “mayor A’s area” means the area for which mayor A is the mayor; “mayor B” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “mayor B’s area” means the area for which mayor B is the mayor. Responding to a collaboration request 103D (1) In a case where a collaboration request is made to mayor B, the mayor must— (a) consider the collaboration request and decide how to respond, (b) set out the response in writing, (c) give the response to mayor A, and (d) publish, in such manner as the mayor thinks appropriate, the response. (2) In considering the collaboration request and deciding how to respond, mayor B must have regard to the economic, social and environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in mayor B’s area. (3) If mayor B decides not to agree to the collaboration request, or any part of it, mayor B must— (a) give the reasons for that decision, and (b) include the reasons in the response to mayor A. (4) Mayors to whom collaboration requests are made must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State in exercising the powers, and complying with the duties, under this section. Collaboration requests made by or to several mayors 103E (1) Two or more elected mayors (the “requesting mayors”) may make a collaboration request to a single elected mayor (the “potential collaborating mayor”) if— (a) at least one of the requesting mayors is the mayor for the area of a combined authority, and (b) each requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (2) For that purpose, a requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area— (a) adjoins every other requesting mayor’s area, and (b) adjoins the potential collaborating mayor’s area. (3) If two or more elected mayors make a collaboration request to a single elected mayor— (a) sections 103C and 103D apply in relation to each of the requesting mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular requesting mayor, “mayor A” means that mayor. (4) A single mayor for the area of a combined authority (the “requesting mayor”) may make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors (the “potential collaborating mayors”) if each potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (5) For that purpose, a potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area adjoins the requesting mayor’s area. (6) If a single mayor for the area of a combined authority makes a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors— (a) sections 103C and 103D apply in relation to each of the potential collaborating mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular potential collaborating mayor, “mayor B” means that mayor. (7) Two or more elected mayors (the “requesting mayors”) may make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors (the “potential collaborating mayors”) if— (a) at least one of the requesting mayors is the mayor for the area of a combined authority, (b) each requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test, and (c) each potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (8) For the purposes of subsection (7), a requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area— (a) adjoins every other requesting mayor’s area, and (b) adjoins every potential collaborating mayor’s area. (9) For the purposes of subsection (7), a potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area adjoins every requesting mayor’s area. (10) If two or more elected mayors make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors— (a) sections 103C and 103D apply in relation to each of the requesting mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular requesting mayor, “mayor A” means that mayor; (c) sections 103C and 103D apply in relation to each of the potential collaborating mayors separately, and (d) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular potential collaborating mayor, “mayor B” means that mayor. (11) In this section— “potential collaborating mayor’s area” means the area for which a potential collaborating mayor is the mayor; “requesting mayor’s area” means the area for which a requesting mayor is the mayor. (3) After section 40B of GLAA 1999 (inserted by section 22 of this Act) insert— Request to collaborate 40C (1) The Mayor of London (“mayor A”) may make a request to another elected mayor (“mayor B”) for the mayors to collaborate in relation to a matter relating to any aspect of any area of competence. (2) A collaboration request must specify— (a) the matter on which mayor A wants the mayors to collaborate, and (b) the way in which mayor A wants the mayors to collaborate. (3) Mayor A may make a collaboration request only if mayor A considers that the requested collaboration would be likely to improve the economic, social or environmental well-being of— (a) some or all of the people who live or work in Greater London, or (b) some or all of the people who live or work in Greater London and some or all of the people who live or work in mayor B’s area. (4) Mayor A may make a collaboration request only if Greater London adjoins mayor B’s area. (5) A collaboration request must be in writing. (6) Mayor A must publish, in such manner as the mayor thinks appropriate, any collaboration request which the mayor makes. (7) The Mayor of London must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State in exercising powers, and complying with duties, under this section. (8) Section 40E makes provision about collaboration requests made by, or to, two or more elected mayors. (9) In this section, section 40D and section 40E— “area of competence” has the same meaning as in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (see section 2 of that Act); “collaboration request” means a request made under subsection (1); “elected mayor” means— the Mayor of London, the mayor for the area of a combined authority, or the mayor for the area of a combined county authority; “mayor A” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “mayor B” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “mayor B’s area” means the area for which mayor B is the mayor. Responding to a collaboration request 40D (1) In a case where a collaboration request is made to mayor B, the mayor must— (a) consider the collaboration request and decide how to respond, (b) set out the response in writing, (c) give the response to mayor A, and (d) publish, in such manner as the mayor thinks appropriate, the response. (2) In considering the collaboration request and deciding how to respond, mayor B must have regard to the economic, social and environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in mayor B’s area. (3) If mayor B decides not to agree to the collaboration request, or any part of it, mayor B must— (a) give the reasons for that decision, and (b) include the reasons in the response to mayor A. (4) Mayors to whom collaboration requests are made must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State in exercising the powers, and complying with the duties, under this section. Collaboration requests made by or to several mayors 40E (1) Two or more elected mayors (the “requesting mayors”) may make a collaboration request to a single elected mayor (the “potential collaborating mayor”) if— (a) at least one of the requesting mayors is the Mayor of London, and (b) each requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (2) For that purpose, a requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area— (a) adjoins every other requesting mayor’s area, and (b) adjoins the potential collaborating mayor’s area. (3) If two or more elected mayors make a collaboration request to a single elected mayor— (a) sections 40C and 40D apply in relation to each of the requesting mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular requesting mayor, “mayor A” means that mayor. (4) The Mayor of London (the “requesting mayor”) may make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors (the “potential collaborating mayors”) if each potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (5) For that purpose, a potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area adjoins Greater London. (6) If the Mayor of London makes a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors— (a) sections 40C and 40D apply in relation to each of the potential collaborating mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular potential collaborating mayor, “mayor B” means that mayor. (7) Two or more elected mayors (the “requesting mayors”) may make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors (the “potential collaborating mayors”) if— (a) at least one of the requesting mayors is the Mayor of London, (b) each requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test, and (c) each potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test. (8) For the purposes of subsection (7), a requesting mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area— (a) adjoins every other requesting mayor’s area, and (b) adjoins every potential collaborating mayor’s area. (9) For the purposes of subsection (7), a potential collaborating mayor’s area meets the neighbour test if that area adjoins every requesting mayor’s area. (10) If two or more elected mayors make a collaboration request to two or more elected mayors— (a) sections 40C and 40D apply in relation to each of the requesting mayors separately, and (b) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular requesting mayor, “mayor A” means that mayor; (c) sections 40C and 40D apply in relation to each of the potential collaborating mayors separately, and (d) accordingly, in the application of those sections in relation to a particular potential collaborating mayor, “mayor B” means that mayor. (11) In this section— “potential collaborating mayor’s area” means the area for which a potential collaborating mayor is the mayor; “requesting mayor’s area” means the area for which a requesting mayor is the mayor.