Law

Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023

United Kingdom · statute

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In force since 2026-10-20, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

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Contents: 274 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 Statement of levelling-up missions
  3. 2 Statement of levelling-up missions: devolution
  4. 3 Annual etc reports on delivery of levelling-up missions
  5. 4 Reports: Parliamentary scrutiny and publication
  6. 5 Changes to mission progress methodology and metrics or target dates
  7. 6 Reviews of statements of levelling-up missions
  8. 7 Levelling Up Fund Round 3
  9. 8 Interpretation of Part 1
  10. 9 Combined county authorities and their areas
  11. 10 Constitutional arrangements
  12. 11 Non-constituent members of a CCA
  13. 12 Associate members of a CCA
  14. 13 Regulations about members
  15. 13A Decision-making
  16. 13B Validity of proceedings
  17. 14 Review of CCA’s constitutional arrangements
  18. 15 Overview and scrutiny committees
  19. 16 Funding
  20. 17 Change of name
  21. 17A The functions of CCAs
  22. 17B Mayoral power to convene meetings with local partners
  23. 17C Request to collaborate
  24. 17D Responding to a collaboration request
  25. 17E Collaboration requests made by or to several mayors
  26. 18 Local authority functions
  27. 19 Other public authority functions
  28. 20 Section 19 regulations: procedure
  29. 21 Integrated Transport Authority and Passenger Transport Executive
  30. 22 Highways and traffic functions: regulations conferring power to give directions
  31. 23 Contravention of regulations under section 22
  32. 23A Highways and traffic functions: directions by mayors
  33. 23B Contraventions of section 23A
  34. 24 Designation of key route network roads
  35. 24A Health improvement and health inequalities duty
  36. 24B Co-operation with local government pension scheme managers
  37. 24C Powers not limited by other provision or powers
  38. 24D Non-mayoral CCA: consent to budget
  39. 24E Non-mayoral CCA: functions imposing financial liability
  40. 25 Changes to boundaries of a CCA’s area
  41. 25A Designation as an established mayoral strategic authority
  42. 26 Dissolution of a CCA’s area
  43. 27 Power to provide for election of mayor
  44. 28 Requirements in connection with regulations under section 27
  45. 29 Deputy mayors etc
  46. 29A Appointment of commissioners by the mayor
  47. 30 Functions of mayors: general
  48. 30A Limitation on delegation of mayoral functions
  49. 31 Procedure for direct conferral of general functions on mayor
  50. 32 Joint exercise of general functions
  51. 32A Local growth plans
  52. 32B Secretary of State guidance on local growth plans
  53. 32C Public authorities: duty to have regard to shared local growth priorities
  54. 33 Functions of mayors: policing
  55. 33A The “eligibility” and “transfer” conditions
  56. 34 Exercise of fire and rescue functions
  57. 35 Section 34 regulations: procedure
  58. 36 Section 34 regulations: further provision
  59. 37 Section 34 regulations: exercise of fire and rescue functions
  60. 38 Section 34 regulations: complaints and conduct matters etc
  61. 39 Section 34 regulations: application of fire and rescue provisions
  62. 40 Section 34 regulations: application of local policing provisions
  63. 41 Mayors for CCA areas: financial matters
  64. 42 Alternative mayoral titles
  65. 43 Alternative mayoral titles: further changes
  66. 44 Power to amend list of alternative titles
  67. 45 Proposal for new CCA (locally led)
  68. 46 Requirements in connection with establishment of CCA
  69. 47 Proposal for changes to existing arrangements relating to CCA (locally led)
  70. 48 Requirements for changes to existing arrangements relating to CCA
  71. 48A Requirements in connection with boundary changes or dissolution of CCA
  72. 48B Relevant consenting authorities in relation to regulations under section 25
  73. 48C Relevant consenting authorities in relation to regulations under section 26
  74. 49 General power of CCA
  75. 50 Boundaries of power under section 49
  76. 51 Power to make provision supplemental to section 49
  77. 52
  78. 52A Allowances for members with special responsibilities
  79. 53 Incidental etc provision
  80. 54 Transfer of property, rights and liabilities
  81. 55 Guidance
  82. 56 Consequential amendments
  83. 57 Interpretation of Chapter
  84. 58 Review of combined authority’s constitutional arrangements
  85. 59 Consent to changes to combined authority’s area
  86. 60 Changes to mayoral combined authority’s area: additional requirements
  87. 61 Consent to conferral of general functions on mayor
  88. 62 Consent to conferral of police and crime commissioner functions on mayor
  89. 63 Functions in respect of key route network roads
  90. 64 Membership of combined authority
  91. 65 Proposal for establishment of combined authority
  92. 66 Proposal for changes to existing combined arrangements
  93. 67 Consequential amendments relating to section 65 and 66
  94. 68 Regulations applying to combined authorities
  95. 69 Combined authorities and combined county authorities: power to borrow
  96. 70 Payment of allowances to committee members
  97. 71 Timing for changes in governance arrangements
  98. 72 Transfer of functions: changes in governance arrangements
  99. 73 Power to transfer etc public authority functions to certain local authorities
  100. 74 Participation of police and crime commissioners at certain local authority committees
  101. 76 Combined authorities: alternative mayoral titles
  102. 77 Local authorities in England: alternative mayoral titles
  103. 78 Capital finance risk management
  104. 79 Long-term empty dwellings: England
  105. 80 Dwellings occupied periodically: England
  106. 81 Alteration of street names: England
  107. 82 Powers of parish councils
  108. 83 The Common Council of the City of London: removal of voting restrictions
  109. 84 Power in relation to the processing of planning data
  110. 85 Power in relation to the provision of planning data
  111. 86 Power to require certain planning data to be made publicly available
  112. 89 Requirements to consult devolved administrations
  113. 90 Planning data regulations made by devolved authorities
  114. 91 Interpretation of Chapter
  115. 92 Development plans: content
  116. 94 National development management policies: meaning
  117. 97 Plan making
  118. 98 Contents of a neighbourhood development plan
  119. 99 Neighbourhood development plans and orders: basic conditions
  120. 100 Requirement to assist with certain plan making
  121. 101 Minor and consequential amendments in connection with Chapter 2
  122. 103 Temporary stop notices in relation to listed buildings
  123. 105 Removal of compensation for building preservation notice
  124. 106 Street votes
  125. 107 Street votes: community infrastructure levy
  126. 108 Street votes: modifications of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017
  127. 109 Crown development
  128. 111 Development commencement notices
  129. 112 Completion notices
  130. 113 Power to decline to determine applications in cases of earlier non-implementation etc
  131. 114 Condition relating to development progress reports
  132. 115 Time limits for enforcement
  133. 116 Duration of temporary stop notices
  134. 117 Enforcement warning notices
  135. 118 Restriction on appeals against enforcement notices
  136. 119 Undue delays in appeals
  137. 120 Penalties for non-compliance
  138. 121 Power to provide relief from enforcement of planning conditions
  139. 122 Consultation before applying for planning permission
  140. 123 Duty in relation to self-build and custom housebuilding
  141. 124 Powers as to form and content of planning applications
  142. 126 Fees for certain services in relation to nationally significant infrastructure projects
  143. 127 Power to shorten deadline for examination of development consent order applications
  144. 128 Additional powers in relation to non-material changes to development consent orders
  145. 129 Hazardous substances consent: connected applications to the Secretary of State
  146. 130 Regulations and orders under the Planning Acts
  147. 131 Power for appointees to vary determinations as to procedure
  148. 132 Pre-consolidation amendment of planning, development and compulsory purchase legislation
  149. 133 Participation in certain proceedings conducted by, or on behalf of, the Secretary of State
  150. 135 Biodiversity net gain: pre-development biodiversity value and habitat enhancement
  151. 136 Development affecting ancient woodland
  152. 140 Enforcement of Community Infrastructure Levy
  153. 152 Power to specify environmental outcomes
  154. 153 Environmental outcomes reports for relevant consents and relevant plans
  155. 154 Power to define “relevant consent” and “relevant plan” etc
  156. 155 Assessing and monitoring impact on outcomes etc
  157. 156 Safeguards: non-regression, international obligations and public engagement
  158. 157 Requirements to consult devolved administrations
  159. 158 EOR regulations: devolved authorities
  160. 159 Exemptions for national defence and civil emergency etc
  161. 160 Enforcement
  162. 161 Reporting
  163. 162 Public consultation etc
  164. 163 Guidance
  165. 164 Interaction with existing environmental assessment legislation and the Habitats Regulations
  166. 165 Consequential repeal of power to make provision for environmental assessment
  167. 166 EOR regulations: further provision
  168. 167 Interpretation of Part 6
  169. 168 Nutrient pollution standards to apply to certain sewage disposal works
  170. 169 Planning: assessments of effects on certain sites
  171. 170 Remediation
  172. 171 Locally-led urban development corporations
  173. 174 Planning functions of urban development corporations
  174. 175 Planning functions of new town development corporations
  175. 176 Mayoral development corporation as minerals and waste planning authority
  176. 177 Minor and consequential amendments
  177. 178 Removal of restrictions on membership of urban development corporations and new town development corporations
  178. 179 Removal of limits on borrowing of urban development corporations and new town development corporations
  179. 180 Acquisition by local authorities for purposes of regeneration
  180. 181 Online publicity
  181. 182 Confirmation proceedings
  182. 183 Conditional confirmation
  183. 184 Corresponding provision for purchases by Ministers
  184. 185 Time limits for implementation
  185. 186 Agreement to vary vesting date
  186. 187 Common standards for compulsory purchase data
  187. 188 ‘No-scheme’ principle: minor amendments
  188. 189 Prospects of planning permission for alternative development
  189. 190 Power to require prospects of planning permission to be ignored
  190. 191 Designated high streets and town centres
  191. 192 High-street uses and premises
  192. 193 Vacancy condition
  193. 194 Local benefit condition
  194. 195 Initial notice
  195. 196 Restriction on letting while initial notice in force
  196. 197 Circumstances in which letting to be permitted
  197. 198 Final notice
  198. 199 Restriction on letting while final notice in force
  199. 200 Restriction on works while final notice in force
  200. 201 Counter-notice
  201. 202 Appeals
  202. 203 Rental auctions
  203. 204 Power to contract for tenancy
  204. 205 Terms of contract for tenancy
  205. 206 Terms of tenancy
  206. 207 Power to grant tenancy in default
  207. 208 Deemed consent of superior lessor or mortgagee
  208. 209 Exclusion of security of tenure
  209. 210 Power to require provision of information
  210. 211 Power to enter and survey land
  211. 212 Offences in connection with section 211
  212. 213 Power to extend time limits
  213. 214 Further provision about letting notices
  214. 215 Other formalities
  215. 216 Compensation
  216. 217 Power to modify or disapply enactments applicable to letting
  217. 218 Interpretation of Part 10
  218. 219 Power to require provision of certain classes of information
  219. 220 The beneficial ownership purpose
  220. 221 The contractual control purpose
  221. 222 The national security purpose
  222. 223 Requirements may include transactional information
  223. 224 Use of information
  224. 225 Offences
  225. 226 Enforcement of requirements
  226. 227 Interpretation of Part 11
  227. 228 Registration of short-term rental properties
  228. 229 Pavement licences
  229. 231 Review of governance etc of RICS
  230. 232 Marine licensing
  231. 233 Power to replace Health and Safety Executive as building safety regulator
  232. 234 Transfer schemes in connection with regulations under section 233
  233. 236 Open access mapping
  234. 237 Childcare: use of non-domestic premises
  235. 238 Childcare: number of providers
  236. 239 Amendments of Schedule 7B to the Government of Wales Act 2006
  237. 240 Blue plaques in England
  238. 241 Powers of local authority in relation to the provision of childcare
  239. 242 Report on enforcement of the Vagrancy Act 1824
  240. 243 Qualifying leases under the Building Safety Act 2022
  241. 245 Protected landscapes
  242. 246 Data protection
  243. 247 Crown application
  244. 248 Amendments of references to “retained direct EU legislation”
  245. 249 Abbreviated references to certain Acts
  246. 250 Power to make consequential provision
  247. 251 Power to address conflicts with the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023
  248. 252 Regulations
  249. 253 Financial provisions
  250. 254 Extent
  251. 255 Commencement and transitional provision
  252. 256 Short title
  253. Schedule 1 Combined county authorities: overview and scrutiny committees and audit committee
  254. Schedule 2 Mayors for combined county authority areas: further provisions about elections
  255. Schedule 2A Commissioners
  256. Schedule 3 Mayors for combined county authority Areas: PCC functions
  257. Schedule 4 Combined county authorities: consequential amendments
  258. Schedule 5 Alteration of street names: consequential amendments
  259. Schedule 7 Plan making
  260. Schedule 8 Minor and consequential amendments in connection with Chapter 2 of Part 3
  261. Schedule 9 Street votes: minor and consequential amendments
  262. Schedule 10 Crown development: consequential amendments
  263. Schedule 11 Completion notices: consequential amendments
  264. Schedule 13 Regulations under Chapter 1 of Part 3 or Part 6: restrictions on devolved authorities
  265. Schedule 14 Existing environmental assessment legislation
  266. Schedule 15 Amendments of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017: assumptions about nutrient pollution standards
  267. Schedule 17 Planning functions of development corporations: minor and consequential amendments
  268. Schedule 18 Conditional confirmation and making of compulsory purchase orders: consequential amendments
  269. Schedule 19 Compulsory purchase: corresponding provision for purchases by Ministers
  270. Schedule 20 Grounds of appeal against final letting notice
  271. Schedule 21 Provision to be included in terms of tenancy further to contract under section 204
  272. Schedule 22 Pavement licences
  273. Schedule 23 Use of non-domestic premises for childcare: registration
  274. Schedule 24 Regulations under Chapter 1 of Part 3 or Part 6: form and scrutiny

Proposed changes to this act

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274 provisions

Title and introductory text

Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 2023 Chapter 55 An Act to make provision for the setting of levelling-up missions and reporting on progress in delivering them; about local democracy; about town and country planning; about Community Infrastructure Levy; about the imposition of Infrastructure Levy; about environmental outcome reports for certain consents and plans; about nutrient pollution standards; about regeneration; about the compulsory purchase of land; about information and records relating to land, the environment or heritage; about the registration of short-term rental properties; for the provision for pavement licences to be permanent; about governance of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; about the charging of fees in connection with marine licences; for a body to replace the Health and Safety Executive as the building safety regulator; about the transfer of land for Academy schools; about the review of maps of open country and registered common land; about the regulation of childminding; about qualifying leases under the Building Safety Act 2022; about road user charging schemes in London; about National Parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and the Broads; and for connected purposes. [26th October 2023] Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

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1 Statement of levelling-up missions

(1) A Minister of the Crown must prepare, and lay before each House of Parliament, a statement of levelling-up missions. (2) A “statement of levelling-up missions” is a document which sets out— (a) objectives which His Majesty’s Government intends to pursue to reduce geographical disparities in the United Kingdom significantly (“levelling-up missions”), within a period specified in the statement (the “mission period”), and (b) details of how His Majesty’s Government proposes to measure progress in delivering those levelling-up missions (the “mission progress methodology and metrics”). (3) In the course of preparing a statement of levelling-up missions, the Minister of the Crown must have regard to— (a) the importance of the levelling-up missions in the statement (taken as a whole) addressing both economic and social disparities in opportunities or outcomes, and (b) the needs of rural areas. (4) The mission period for a statement of levelling-up missions must not— (a) begin before the statement has been laid before each House of Parliament, nor (b) be shorter than five years. (5) A statement of levelling-up missions must specify a target date for the delivery of each of the levelling-up missions in it, which may be before or at the end of the mission period. (6) If different target dates are specified under subsection (5) for different levelling-up missions, the statement of levelling-up missions must give reasons for the different dates. (7) The first statement of levelling-up missions must come into effect before the end of the period of one month beginning with the day on which this section comes into force. (8) A statement of levelling-up missions comes into effect when— (a) the statement has been laid before each House of Parliament and published by a Minister of the Crown, and (b) the mission period in the statement begins. (9) Before the end of the mission period in a statement of levelling-up missions (“the old statement”), a Minister of the Crown must prepare a new statement of levelling-up missions, lay it before each House of Parliament and publish it. (10) The mission period in the new statement of levelling-up missions must begin no later than immediately after the end of the mission period in the old statement. (11) When the new statement of levelling-up missions comes into effect it replaces the old statement, which ceases to have effect. (12) References in this Part to the current statement of levelling-up missions are to the statement of levelling-up missions for the time being in effect.

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2 Statement of levelling-up missions: devolution

(1) In the course of preparing a statement of levelling-up missions, a Minister of the Crown must— (a) have regard to any role of the devolved legislatures and devolved authorities in connection with the levelling-up missions in the statement, and (b) carry out such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate with the devolved authorities. (2) A Minister of the Crown must prepare a document which sets out how the Minister has complied with subsection (1)(a). (3) A Minister of the Crown must lay the document mentioned in subsection (2) before each House of Parliament, and publish it, at the same time as, or as soon as is reasonably practicable after, the statement of levelling-up missions is so laid and published.

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3 Annual etc reports on delivery of levelling-up missions

(1) A Minister of the Crown must prepare reports on the delivery of the levelling-up missions in the current statement of levelling-up missions, in accordance with this section. (2) In the course of preparing each report, the Minister of the Crown must have regard to the needs of rural areas. (3) Each report must— (a) include the Minister’s assessment of the progress that has been made, in the period to which the report relates, in delivering each of the levelling-up missions in the current statement of levelling-up missions as it has effect at the end of that period, (b) describe what has been done, in that period, by His Majesty’s Government to deliver each of those levelling-up missions, and (c) set out what His Majesty’s Government plans to do in the future to deliver each of those levelling-up missions. (4) The Minister’s assessment under subsection (3)(a) must be carried out by reference to the mission progress methodology and metrics in the current statement of levelling-up missions as it has effect at the end of the period to which the report relates. (5) If His Majesty’s Government considers that it is no longer appropriate for it to pursue a levelling-up mission in the current statement of levelling-up missions, the report may state that His Majesty’s Government no longer intends to pursue that mission, instead of dealing with the matters mentioned in subsection (3) in relation to that mission. (6) If a report contains a statement under subsection (5), it must also set out the reasons for the statement being made. (7) In the course of preparing a report on the delivery of the levelling-up missions, a Minister of the Crown must carry out such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate with the devolved authorities. (8) The first report in relation to a statement of levelling-up missions must relate to the first 12 months of the mission period in the statement. (9) Subsequent reports in relation to a statement of levelling-up missions must relate to— (a) the 12 month period immediately following the 12 month period in relation to which the previous report relating to the statement was prepared, or (b) if shorter, the period— (i) beginning immediately after the 12 month period in relation to which the previous report relating to the statement was prepared, and (ii) ending at the end of the mission period in the statement.

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4 Reports: Parliamentary scrutiny and publication

(1) A report under section 3 must be laid before each House of Parliament before the end of the period of 120 days beginning immediately after the last day of the period to which the report relates. (2) After a report has been laid before Parliament under subsection (1), a Minister of the Crown must publish it as soon as is reasonably practicable. (3) In calculating the period of 120 days mentioned in subsection (1), no account is to be taken of any time during which— (a) Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or (b) either House of Parliament is adjourned for more than 4 days.

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5 Changes to mission progress methodology and metrics or target dates

(1) This section applies if a Minister of the Crown considers that the mission progress methodology and metrics, or the target date for the delivery of a levelling-up mission, in the current statement of levelling-up missions should be changed. (2) The Minister— (a) may revise the current statement of levelling-up missions so as to change the mission progress methodology and metrics or (as the case may be) target date, and (b) as soon as is reasonably practicable after doing so, must— (i) publish a statement setting out the reasons for the mission progress methodology and metrics, or target date, being changed, and (ii) lay the revised statement of levelling-up missions before each House of Parliament and then publish it. (3) In discharging functions under this section, a Minister of the Crown must have regard to the needs of rural areas. (4) The current statement of levelling-up missions has effect with the revisions made under subsection (2) on and after the day on which it is published after being laid before each House of Parliament. (5) Before making any revisions under subsection (2), a Minister of the Crown must— (a) have regard to any role of the devolved legislatures and devolved authorities in connection with the levelling-up mission to which the revision relates, and (b) carry out such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate with the devolved authorities.

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6 Reviews of statements of levelling-up missions

(1) A Minister of the Crown must review the current statement of levelling-up missions, in accordance with this section. (2) The first review of the current statement of levelling-up missions must be completed, and a report on that review published, within the period of five years beginning with the first day of the mission period in that statement. (3) Subsequent reviews of the current statement of levelling-up missions must be completed, and the report on the review published, within the period of five years beginning with the day on which the report on the previous review was published. (4) But a final review of the current statement of levelling-up missions must be completed, and the report on the review published, before a new statement is laid before each House of Parliament in accordance with section 1(9). (5) The purposes of a review under this section are to— (a) consider whether His Majesty’s Government pursuing the levelling-up missions in the current statement of levelling-up missions is effectively contributing to the reduction of geographical disparities in the United Kingdom, (b) conclude whether His Majesty’s Government should continue to pursue those levelling-up missions and, if not, what the levelling-up missions are instead to be, and (c) consider whether there are any additional levelling-up missions which His Majesty’s Government should pursue. (6) In the course of carrying out a review under this section, a Minister of the Crown must— (a) have regard to any role of the devolved legislatures and devolved authorities in connection with the levelling-up missions in the statement, and (b) carry out such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate with the devolved authorities. (7) As soon as is reasonably practicable after the conclusion of a review under this section, a Minister of the Crown must lay a report on the review before each House of Parliament and then publish it. (8) The report on a review under this section must— (a) state whether His Majesty’s Government considers that pursuing the levelling-up missions in the current statement of levelling-up missions is effectively contributing to the reduction of geographical disparities in the United Kingdom, (b) state whether His Majesty’s Government has concluded that it should continue to pursue those levelling-up missions and, if not, what the levelling-up missions are instead to be, (c) state whether there are any additional levelling-up missions which His Majesty’s Government considers it should pursue, and (d) set out reasons for the statements under paragraphs (a) to (c). (9) Subsections (10) to (12) do not apply in relation to a report on the final review of the current statement of levelling-up missions. (10) If the report states that His Majesty’s Government has concluded that it should not continue to pursue the levelling-up missions in the current statement of levelling-up missions— (a) a Minister of the Crown must revise the statement— (i) so that it instead contains the levelling-up missions that His Majesty’s Government is to pursue for the remaining mission period, and (ii) to make any changes to the mission progress methodology and metrics that the Minister considers appropriate in consequence of doing so, and (b) as soon as is reasonably practicable after revising it, the Minister must lay the revised statement before each House of Parliament and then publish it. (11) If the report states that His Majesty’s Government considers that it should pursue an additional levelling-up mission— (a) a Minister of the Crown must revise the current statement of levelling-up missions so as to— (i) add the levelling-up mission, and (ii) make any changes to the mission progress methodology and metrics that the Minister considers appropriate in consequence of doing so, and (b) as soon as is reasonably practicable after revising it, the Minister must lay the revised statement before each House of Parliament and then publish it. (12) The current statement of levelling-up missions has effect with the revisions made under subsection (10)(a) or (11)(a) on and after the day on which the revised statement is published after being laid before each House of Parliament. (13) In carrying out functions under this section, a Minister of the Crown must have regard to— (a) the importance of the levelling-up missions in the statement of levelling-up missions (taken as a whole) addressing both economic and social disparities in opportunities or outcomes, and (b) the needs of rural areas.

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7 Levelling Up Fund Round 3

(1) Before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, a Minister of the Crown must lay before each House of Parliament a statement on Levelling Up Fund Round 3. (2) A “statement on Levelling Up Fund Round 3” is a statement about the allocation of a third round of funding from the Levelling Up Fund. (3) The “Levelling Up Fund” is the programme run by His Majesty’s Government which is known as the Levelling Up Fund and was announced on 25 November 2020.

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8 Interpretation of Part 1

In this Part— “current statement of levelling-up missions” has the meaning given by section 1(12); “devolved authorities” means— the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers, and the Northern Ireland departments; “devolved legislatures” means— the Scottish Parliament, Senedd Cymru, and the Northern Ireland Assembly; “geographical disparities” means geographical disparities in economic, social or other opportunities or outcomes; “His Majesty’s Government” means His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom; “levelling-up mission” has the meaning given by section 1(2)(a); “Minister of the Crown” has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975; “mission period” has the meaning given by section 1(2)(a); “mission progress methodology and metrics” has the meaning given by section 1(2)(b); “statement of levelling-up missions” has the meaning given by section 1(2).

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9 Combined county authorities and their areas

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations establish as a body corporate a combined county authority (a “CCA”) for an area that meets the following conditions. (2) Condition A is that the area is wholly within England and consists of— (a) the whole of the area of a two-tier county council, and (b) the whole of one or more of— (i) the area of a two-tier county council, (ii) the area of a unitary county council, or (iii) the area of a unitary district council. (3) Condition B is that no part of the area forms part of— (a) the area of another CCA, (b) the area of a combined authority, or (c) the integrated transport area of an Integrated Transport Authority. (4) Regulations under subsection (1) must specify the name by which the CCA is to be known. (5) In this Chapter— “combined authority” means a combined authority established under section 103(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009; “economic prosperity board” means an economic prosperity board established under section 88(1) of that Act; “Integrated Transport Authority” means an Integrated Transport Authority for an integrated transport area; “two-tier county council” means a county council whose area includes the areas of district councils; “unitary county council” means a county council whose area does not include the areas of district councils; “unitary district council” means a district council whose area does not form part of the area of a county council.

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10 Constitutional arrangements

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the constitutional arrangements of a CCA. (2) “Constitutional arrangements” in relation to a CCA means— (a) the membership of the CCA (including the number and appointment of members of the CCA and the remuneration of, and pensions or allowances payable to or in respect of, any member of the CCA); (b) the voting powers of members of the CCA (including provision for different weight to be given to the vote of different descriptions of member); (c) the executive arrangements of the CCA; (d) the functions of any executive body of the CCA. (3) In subsection (2)(c) “executive arrangements” means— (a) the appointment of an executive; (b) the functions of the CCA which are the responsibility of an executive; (c) the functions of the CCA which are the responsibility of an executive and which may be discharged by a committee of the CCA or by a body other than the CCA; (d) arrangements relating to the review and scrutiny of the discharge of functions; (e) access to information on the proceedings of an executive of the CCA; (f) the disapplication of section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (duty to allocate seats to political groups) in relation to an executive of the CCA or a committee of such an executive; (g) the keeping of a record of any arrangements relating to the CCA and falling within paragraphs (a) to (f). (4) Regulations under subsection (1) which, by virtue of subsection (2)(a), include provision about the number and appointment of members of the CCA must provide— (a) for the members of the CCA other than— (i) the mayor (in the case of a mayoral CCA), (ii) the CCA’s non-constituent members (see section 11), and (iii) the CCA’s associate members (see section 12), to be appointed by the CCA’s constituent councils, and (b) for each of the constituent councils to appoint at least one of its elected members as a member of the CCA. (5) The provision which may be made by regulations under subsection (1) by virtue of subsection (2)(d) includes— (a) provision setting up or dissolving an executive body of a CCA, or merging two or more executive bodies of a CCA; (b) provision conferring functions on, or removing functions from, an executive body of a CCA; (c) provision transferring functions of a CCA to an executive body of the CCA, and transferring functions of an executive body of a CCA to the CCA. (6) Regulations under subsection (1) may not provide for the budget of a CCA to be agreed otherwise than by the CCA. (7) The power to make regulations under subsection (1) is subject to— (a) sections 11 and 12 and regulations under section 13(1) (non-constituent and associate members), and (b) sections 14(4) and 25(9) and (12) (procedure for CCA consents). (8) Regulations under subsection (1) may be made in relation to an existing CCA only with the consent of— (a) the constituent councils, and (b) ... the CCA. (8A) Subsection (8) does not apply where a proposal to make the regulations has been submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 47 (proposal for changes to existing arrangements relating to CCA - locally led). (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (10) If the only provision made under subsection (1) in regulations under this Chapter is provision as a result of regulations to which section 31 applies (procedure for direct conferral of general functions on mayor)— (a) subsection (8) does not apply to the regulations under this Chapter, and (b) the regulations may be made only with the consent of the mayor for the CCA. (11) In this Chapter “constituent council”, in relation to a CCA or proposed CCA, means— (a) a county council for an area within the CCA’s area or proposed area, or (b) a unitary district council for an area within the CCA’s area or proposed area.

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11 Non-constituent members of a CCA

(1) A CCA may designate a body other than a constituent council as a nominating body for the purposes of this Chapter. (2) A nominating body may be designated under subsection (1) only if the body consents to the designation. (3) A nominating body of a CCA may nominate a representative of the body for appointment by the CCA as a member (a “non-constituent member”). (4) The non-constituent members of a CCA are to be non-voting members of that authority unless the voting members resolve otherwise. (5) A resolution under subsection (4) does not permit non-constituent members to vote on a decision whether the CCA should consent to the making of regulations under this Chapter.

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12 Associate members of a CCA

(1) A CCA may appoint an individual to be a member (“an associate member”) of the CCA. (2) The associate members of a CCA are to be non-voting members of the CCA.

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13 Regulations about members

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about— (a) constituent members of a CCA; (b) the mayor for the area of a CCA in the mayor’s capacity as a member of the CCA; (c) nominating bodies of a CCA; (d) non-constituent members of a CCA; (e) associate members of a CCA. (2) The provision that may be made by regulations under subsection (1) includes, in particular, provision about— (a) the cases in which a decision of a CCA requires a majority, or a particular kind of majority, of the votes of members of a particular kind (including provision disapplying or modifying the effect of section 13A); (b) the process for the designation of a nominating body or the removal of such a designation; (c) the number of nominating bodies that may be designated by a CCA; (d) the number of non-constituent members that may be appointed by a nominating body of a CCA; (e) the appointment, disqualification, resignation or removal of a non-constituent member; (f) the appointment of a substitute member to act in place of a non-constituent member; (g) the maximum number of non-constituent members of a CCA; (h) the making by a nominating body of a CCA of payments towards the costs of the CCA; (i) the things which may or may not be done by, or in relation to, a non-constituent member; (j) the appointment, disqualification, resignation or removal of an associate member; (k) the appointment of a substitute member to act in place of an associate member; (l) the maximum number of associate members of a CCA; (m) the things which may or may not be done by, or in relation to, an associate member. (3) Regulations under subsection (1) may confer a discretion on a CCA to determine any matter. (4) In this section “constituent member”, in relation to a CCA, means a member of the CCA (other than any mayor for the area of the CCA) appointed by a constituent council.

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13A Decision-making

(1) This section applies to any decision of a CCA. (2) A decision of a non-mayoral CCA is to be made by a simple majority of the voting members present and voting on that question at a meeting of the CCA. (3) A decision of a mayoral CCA is to be made by a simple majority of the voting members present and voting on that question at a meeting of the CCA; and such a majority must include the mayor, or the deputy mayor acting in place of the mayor. (4) But if— (a) the office of mayor is vacant, and (b) there is no deputy mayor, the decision is to be made by a simple majority of the voting members present and voting on that question at a meeting of the CCA. (5) On a decision of any CCA— (a) each voting member has one vote; (b) in the case of a tied vote— (i) no person has a casting vote; and (ii) the CCA must be regarded as having disagreed to the question that the decision should be made. (6) Subsections (1) to (5) are subject to provision made in any other enactment (whenever passed or made). (7) That includes regulations under this Chapter or under Schedule 27 to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. (8) In this section “voting member” means— (a) in relation to a decision of a non-mayoral CCA— (i) a person appointed by a constituent council to be a member of the CCA (a “constituent member”) or a person acting as a member of the CCA in the absence of the constituent member, and (ii) a non-constituent member (within the meaning of section 11) who is a voting member in relation to the decision by virtue of a resolution under section 11(4) or a person acting as a member of the CCA in the absence of the non-constituent member; (b) in relation to a decision of a mayoral CCA— (i) a person appointed by a constituent council to be a member of the CCA (a “constituent member”) or a person acting as a member of the CCA in the absence of the constituent member, (ii) a non-constituent member (within the meaning of section 11) who is a voting member in relation to the decision by virtue of a resolution under section 11(4) or a person acting as a member of the CCA in the absence of the non-constituent member, and (iii) the mayor, or the deputy mayor acting in place of the mayor.

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13B Validity of proceedings

(1) The proceedings of a CCA are not invalidated— (a) by any vacancy— (i) among its members or substitute members, or (ii) (in the case of a mayoral CCA) in the office of deputy mayor, or (b) by any defect in the appointment or qualifications of— (i) any member or substitute member, or (ii) (in the case of a mayoral CCA) of the deputy mayor. (2) In this section “substitute member” means a person appointed to act as a member in the absence of another member.

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14 Review of CCA’s constitutional arrangements

(1) This section applies if regulations under section 10(1) (constitution of CCA) enable a CCA to make provision about its constitution (“constitutional provision”). (2) An appropriate person may carry out a review of the CCA’s constitutional provision if— (a) an appropriate person proposes a review, and (b) the CCA consents to the review. (3) If an appropriate person carries out a review under subsection (2), they may propose changes to the CCA’s constitutional provision as a result of the review for agreement by the CCA. (4) The question of whether to consent under subsection (2)(b) or to agree to changes proposed under subsection (3) is to be decided at a meeting of the CCA by a simple majority of the voting members of the CCA who are present at the meeting. (5) In the case of a mayoral CCA— (a) a majority in favour of consenting under subsection (2)(b) does not need to include the mayor, but (b) a majority in favour of changes proposed under subsection (3) must include the mayor. (6) The reference in subsection (4) to a voting member— (a) includes a substitute member who may act in place of a voting member; (b) does not include a non-constituent member. (7) In this section “appropriate person”, in relation to a CCA, means— (a) a member of the CCA appointed by a constituent council, or (b) the mayor for the area of the CCA, if it is a mayoral CCA (see section 27(8)).

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15 Overview and scrutiny committees

(1) Schedule 1 makes provision for CCAs to have overview and scrutiny committees and audit committees. (2) Provision made by regulations under section 10(1) is subject to that Schedule.

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16 Funding

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision— (a) for the costs of a CCA to be met by its constituent councils, and (b) about the basis on which the amount payable by each constituent council is to be determined. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may be made in relation to an existing CCA only with the consent of— (a) the constituent councils, and (b) ... the CCA. (2A) Subsection (2) does not apply where a proposal to make the regulations has been submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 47 (proposal for changes to existing arrangements relating to CCA - locally led). (3) Subsection (1) is subject to regulations under section 13(1) (CCA membership).

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17 Change of name

(1) A CCA may, by a resolution in relation to which the requirements mentioned in subsection (2) are met, change the name by which it is known. (2) The requirements are— (a) that the resolution is considered at a meeting of the CCA which is specially convened for the purpose, (b) that particulars of the resolution were included in the notice of the meeting, and (c) that the resolution is passed at the meeting by not less than two-thirds of the members of the CCA who vote on it. (3) A CCA which changes its name under this section must— (a) send notice of the change to the Secretary of State, and (b) publish the notice in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct. (4) A change of name under this section does not affect the rights or obligations of the CCA concerned or any other person, or render defective any legal proceedings; and any legal proceedings may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of name.

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17A The functions of CCAs

A CCA has the functions that are conferred by— (a) this Chapter or any regulations under this Chapter, (b) any regulations under Schedule 27 to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, or (c) any other enactment (whenever passed or made).

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17B Mayoral power to convene meetings with local partners

(1) The mayor for the area of a CCA may convene meetings with local partners to consider relevant local matters. (2) In exercising the function of convening meetings, a mayor must have regard to any guidance issued for this purpose by the Secretary of State. (3) If a mayor notifies a local partner that the mayor intends to convene a meeting under this section with that local partner, the local partner must respond to the notification. (4) In responding to a notification given by a mayor, a local partner must have regard to any guidance issued for this purpose by the Secretary of State. (5) In this section— “local partner” means a person specified, or of a description specified, in regulations made by the Secretary of State; “relevant local matter”, in relation to the mayor for the area of a CCA, means a matter which relates both to— the area of the CCA, and any aspect of any area of competence set out in section 2 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.

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17C Request to collaborate

(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.

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17D Responding to a collaboration request

(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.

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17E Collaboration requests made by or to several mayors

(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.

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18 Local authority functions

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for a function of a county council or a district council that is exercisable in relation to an area which is within a CCA’s area to be exercisable by the CCA in relation to the CCA’s area. (2) The Secretary of State may make regulations under subsection (1) only if the Secretary of State considers that the function can appropriately be exercised by the CCA. (3) Regulations under subsection (1) may make provision for the function to be exercisable by the CCA either generally or subject to such conditions or limitations as may be specified in the regulations. (4) Regulations under subsection (1) which provide for a function of a county council or a unitary district council to be exercisable by a CCA may make provision for the function to be exercisable by the CCA instead of by the county council or unitary district council. (5) Regulations under subsection (1) which provide for a function of a county council or a district council to be exercisable by a CCA may make provision— (a) for the function to be exercisable by the CCA concurrently with the county council or district council, (b) for the function to be exercisable by the CCA and the county council or district council jointly, or (c) for the function to be exercisable by the CCA jointly with the county council or district council but also continue to be exercisable by the council alone. (6) Regulations under subsection (1) may be made in relation to an existing CCA only with the consent of— (a) the constituent councils, and (b) ... the CCA. (7) Subsection (6) does not apply where a proposal to make the regulations has been submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 47 (proposal for changes to existing arrangements relating to CCA - locally led).

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19 Other public authority functions

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations— (a) make provision for a function of a public authority that is exercisable in relation to a CCA’s area to be a function of the CCA; (b) make provision for conferring on a CCA in relation to its area a function corresponding to a function that a public authority has in relation to another area. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may include further provision about the exercise of the function including— (a) provision for the function to be exercisable by the public authority or CCA subject to conditions or limitations specified in the regulations; (b) provision as to joint working arrangements between the CCA and public authority in connection with the function (for example, provision for the function to be exercised by a joint committee). (3) The provision that may be included in regulations under subsection (1)(a) includes, in particular, provision— (a) for the CCA to have the function instead of the public authority, (b) for the function to be exercisable by the CCA concurrently with the public authority, (c) for the function to be exercisable by the CCA and the public authority jointly, or (d) for the function to be exercisable by the CCA jointly with the public authority but also continue to be exercisable by the public authority alone. (4) Regulations under subsection (1)(a) may, in particular, include provision to abolish the public authority in a case where, as a result of the regulations, it will no longer have any functions. (5) Regulations under subsection (1) may not provide for a regulatory function that is exercisable by a public authority in relation to the whole of England to be exercisable by a CCA in relation to its area if the regulated function is itself exercisable by the CCA by virtue of regulations under this section. (6) Subsection (7) applies where regulations under subsection (1) contain a reference to a document specified or described in the regulations (for example, in imposing a condition by virtue of subsection (2)(a) for an authority to have regard to, or to comply with, a statement of policy or standards set out in the document). (7) If it appears to the Secretary of State necessary or expedient for the reference to the document to be construed— (a) as a reference to that document as amended from time to time, or (b) as including a reference to a subsequent document that replaces that document, the regulations may make express provision to that effect. (8) See also section 18 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (devolving health service functions) which contains further limitations. (9) In this section— “function” (except in subsection (4)) does not include a power to make regulations or other instruments of a legislative character; “Minister of the Crown” has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975; “public authority”— includes a Minister of the Crown or a government department; does not include a county council or a district council; “regulated function” means the function of carrying out an activity to which a regulatory function relates; “regulatory function” has the meaning given by section 32 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006.

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20 Section 19 regulations: procedure

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations under section 19(1) in relation to an existing CCA only if— (a) a proposal for the making of the regulations in relation to the CCA has been submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 47, or (b) the appropriate authorities consent. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) The requirements in subsection (1) do not apply where the regulations are made under sections 19(1) and 30(1) in relation to an existing mayoral CCA and provide for a function— (a) to be a function of the CCA, and (b) to be a function exercisable only by the mayor. See section 31 in relation to regulations of this kind. (4) The requirement in subsection (1)(b) for the appropriate authorities to consent to the making of regulations under section 19(1) does not apply where— (a) the regulations revoke (in whole or in part), or otherwise amend, previous regulations under section 19(1), and (b) the only purpose of the regulations is to provide for a health service function of a CCA to cease to be exercisable by the CCA. (5) In subsection (4)(b) “health service function of a CCA” means a function which— (a) relates to the health service, as defined by section 275(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006, and (b) is exercisable by the CCA by virtue of regulations under section 19(1). (6) At the same time as laying a draft of a statutory instrument containing regulations under section 19(1) before Parliament, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report explaining the effect of the regulations and why the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to make the regulations. (7) The report must include— (a) a description of any consultation taken into account by the Secretary of State, (b) information about any representations considered by the Secretary of State in connection with the regulations, and (c) any other evidence or contextual information that the Secretary of State considers it appropriate to include. (8) For the purposes of this section “the appropriate authorities” are— (a) each constituent council, and (b) ... the CCA.

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21 Integrated Transport Authority and Passenger Transport Executive

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations transfer functions of an Integrated Transport Authority (an “ITA”) to a CCA. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may only be made in relation to functions exercisable by the ITA in relation to an area that becomes, or becomes part of, the CCA’s area by virtue of regulations under this Chapter. (3) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for any function that is conferred or imposed on a Passenger Transport Executive by any enactment (whenever passed or made) to be exercisable by a CCA or the executive body of a CCA in relation to the CCA’s area. (4) Regulations under subsection (3) may make provision for any function that— (a) is conferred or imposed on an ITA by any enactment (whenever passed or made), and (b) relates to the functions of a Passenger Transport Executive, to be exercisable by a CCA in relation to the CCA’s area. (5) Regulations under this section may be made in relation to an existing CCA only with the consent of— (a) the constituent councils, and (b) ... the CCA. (5A) Subsection (5) does not apply where a proposal to make the regulations has been submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 47 (proposal for changes to existing arrangements relating to CCA - locally led).

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22 Highways and traffic functions: regulations conferring power to give directions

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations— (a) confer on a non-mayoral CCA a power to give a direction about the exercise of an eligible power; (b) confer on a mayoral CCA a power to give a direction about the exercise of an eligible power in relation to roads that are not key route network roads (see section 24). (2) An “eligible power” means a power of a county council or a unitary district council which the council has— (a) as highway authority by virtue of section 1 of the Highways Act 1980, or (b) as traffic authority by virtue of section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. (3) In this section references to a power do not include a reference to a duty. (4) A power of direction under this section must relate only to the exercise of an eligible power in— (a) the area of the CCA, and (b) the area of the authority subject to the direction. (5) A power of direction under this section must relate only to the exercise of an eligible power in respect of— (a) a particular road (whether or not specified in the regulations), or (b) a description of road (whether or not specified in the regulations). (6) In subsection (5) “road”— (a) in the case of a power of direction under subsection (1)(a), has the meaning given by section 142(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984; (b) in the case of a power of direction under subsection (1)(b), means a road that is not a key route network road; (c) in either case, does not include any road which is the subject of a concession agreement under Part 1 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. (7) A power of direction under this section must relate only to any one or more of— (a) the provision of information about the exercise of an eligible power which the authority subject to the direction has or might reasonably be expected to acquire; (b) the imposition on such an authority of requirements relating to procedures to be followed prior to the exercise of an eligible power; (c) the imposition on such an authority of requirements relating to the obtaining of consent prior to the exercise of an eligible power; (d) the imposition on such an authority of conditions subject to which an eligible power may be exercised (including conditions relating to the times at which, and the manner in which, an eligible power may be exercised); (e) a requirement to exercise an eligible power (including a requirement to exercise an eligible power subject to conditions); (f) a prohibition on the exercise of an eligible power. (8) A power of direction under this section may be conferred subject to conditions. (9) Any direction given by virtue of this section— (a) must be given in writing and may be varied or revoked by a further direction in writing, and (b) may make different provision for different cases and different provision for different areas. (9A) Before giving a direction under this section, a mayor or CCA must have regard to the following— (a) the network management duty imposed by section 16 of the Traffic Management Act 2004; (b) the duty imposed by section 17 of that Act (duty to make arrangements for planning and carrying out action to be taken in performing the network management duty); (c) any guidance issued under section 18 of that Act; (d) any guidance issued under section 55 of this Act. (9B) On the day on which a mayor or CCA gives a direction under this section, the mayor or CCA must publish a copy of the direction in such manner as the mayor or CCA considers appropriate. (9C) If a mayor of a CCA gives a direction under this section, the mayor must reimburse any costs incurred by a council in complying with the direction (including administrative costs incurred in dealing with the direction). In a case where works are carried out in complying with the direction, the costs are those incurred to carry out those works or during the period that ends 12 months after completion of those works. (10) If regulations under subsection (1) make provision for a direction by virtue of subsection (7)(e), the regulations must make provision for the direction not to have effect unless the CCA meets the cost of complying with the direction. (11) Regulations under subsection (1) may be made in relation to an existing CCA only with the consent of—; (a) the constituent councils, and (b) ... the CCA. (12) Subsection (11) does not apply where a proposal to make the regulations has been submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 47 (proposal for changes to existing arrangements relating to CCA - locally led).

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23 Contravention of regulations under section 22

(1) Regulations under section 22(1) may provide that, if an authority exercises any power in contravention of a direction under such regulations, the CCA may take such steps as it considers appropriate to reverse or modify the effect of the exercise of the power. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the CCA has power to exercise any power of the authority subject to the direction on behalf of that authority. (3) Any reasonable expenses incurred by the CCA in taking any steps under subsection (1) are recoverable from the authority subject to the direction as a civil debt.

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23A Highways and traffic functions: directions by mayors

(1) A mayoral CCA may give a direction about the exercise of— (a) an eligible power, or (b) a street authority or permit authority power, in respect of a particular key route network road or a description of roads which are all key route network roads. (2) The power under this section to give a direction is exercisable only by the mayor for the area of a CCA on behalf of the CCA. (3) A direction under this section must relate only to the exercise of a relevant power— (a) by a constituent council of the CCA, and (b) in— (i) the area of the CCA, and (ii) the area of the constituent council. (4) Any direction given by virtue of this section— (a) must be given in writing and may be varied or revoked by a further direction in writing, and (b) may make different provision for different cases and different provision for different areas. (5) Before giving a direction under this section, a mayor must have regard to the following— (a) the network management duty imposed by section 16 of the Traffic Management Act 2004; (b) the duty imposed by section 17 of that Act (duty to make arrangements for planning and carrying out action to be taken in performing the network management duty); (c) any guidance issued under section 18 of that Act; (d) any guidance issued under section 55 of this Act. (6) On the day on which a mayor gives a direction under this section, the mayor must publish a copy of the direction in such manner as the mayor considers appropriate. (7) A mayor who gives a direction under this section must reimburse any costs incurred by a council in complying with the direction (including administrative costs incurred in dealing with the direction). (8) In a case where works are carried out in complying with the direction, the costs of the works are those incurred— (a) before or while carrying out the works, or (b) during the period that ends 12 months after completion of the works. (9) In this section— “eligible power” means a power of a county council or a unitary district council which the council has— as highway authority by virtue of section 1 of the Highways Act 1980, or as traffic authority by virtue of section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984; “power”, in the definition of “eligible power” or street authority or permit authority power, does not include a duty; “relevant power” means— an eligible power, or a street authority or permit authority power; “street authority or permit authority power” means a power of a county council or a unitary district council which the council has— as a street authority by virtue of section 49 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, or under section 33 or 33A of the Traffic Management Act 2004 or under a permit scheme prepared under section 33 of that Act.

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23B Contraventions of section 23A

(1) If an authority exercises any power in contravention of a direction under section 23A, the CCA may take such steps as it considers appropriate to reverse or modify the effect of the exercise of the power. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the CCA has power to exercise any power of the authority subject to the direction on behalf of that authority. (3) Any reasonable expenses incurred by the CCA in taking any steps under subsection (1) are recoverable from the authority subject to the direction as a civil debt.

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24 Designation of key route network roads

(1) A CCA has the power to— (a) designate a highway or proposed highway in its area as a key route network road, or (b) remove its designation as a key route network road. (1A) In the case of a mayoral CCA— (a) that power is a power of the CCA exercisable only by the mayor on behalf of the CCA; (b) the mayor may not designate a highway or proposed highway unless— (i) the mayor has prepared a proposal to designate it (a “proposed designation”), and (ii) the CCA has passed a resolution approving the proposed designation; (c) if there is no highway or proposed highway in the CCA’s area that is designated as a key route network road, the mayor must prepare a proposed designation in relation to at least one highway or proposed highway. (1B) In the case of a non-mayoral CCA, the CCA may only exercise that power with the consent of each constituent council in whose area the highway or proposed highway is. (2) The Secretary of State may designate a highway or proposed highway in the area of a CCA as a key route network road, or remove its designation as a key route network road, if requested to do so by— (d) the mayor of a CCA, in the case of a mayoral CCA; (e) the CCA or a constituent council, in the case of a non-mayoral CCA. (3) A designation or removal under this section must be in writing and must state when it comes into effect. (4) The Secretary of State must send a copy of a designation or removal under subsection (2) to the CCA in question at least 7 days before the date on which it comes into effect. (5) A CCA must maintain, and publish on its website, a record of the roads in its area which are key route network roads. (6) A CCA that has key route network roads in its area must keep a list or map (or both) accessible to the public showing those roads. (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9) In this section— ... “key route network road” means a highway or proposed highway designated for the time being under this section as a key route network road; “proposed highway” means land on which, in accordance with plans made by a highway authority, that authority are for the time being constructing or intending to construct a highway shown in the plans.

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24A Health improvement and health inequalities duty

(1) When considering whether or how to exercise any of its functions, a CCA must have regard to the need to— (a) improve the health of persons in the CCA’s area, and (b) reduce health inequalities between persons living in the CCA’s area. (2) When considering whether or how to exercise any function, the mayor for the area of a CCA must have regard to the considerations set out in subsection (1). (3) Health inequalities “between persons” living in an area means health inequalities between persons, or persons of different descriptions, living in, or in different parts of, an area. (4) “Health inequalities” means inequalities in respect of life expectancy or general state of health which are wholly or partly a result of differences in respect of general health determinants. (5) “General health determinants” are— (a) standards of housing, transport services or public safety, (b) environmental factors, including air quality and access to green space and bodies of water, (c) 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, (e) the use, or level of use, of tobacco, alcohol or other substances, and any other matters of personal behaviour or lifestyle, that are or may be harmful to health, and any other matters that are determinants of life expectancy or the state of health of persons generally, other than genetic or biological factors. (6) In subsection (1)(a) above, the reference to improving the health of persons includes a reference to mitigating any detriment to health which would otherwise be occasioned by the exercise of a CCA’s function. (7) In subsection (1)(b) above, the reference to reducing health inequalities includes a reference to mitigating any increase in health inequalities which would otherwise be occasioned by the exercise of a CCA’s function.

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24B Co-operation with local government pension scheme managers

(1) This section applies where a scheme manager is responsible for managing and administering part of a scheme for local government workers in England and Wales in relation to a current employee of— (a) a constituent council of a CCA, or (b) a district council which is not a constituent council where any part of the area of the council falls within the area of a CCA, in connection with that employment. (2) The CCA must cooperate with the scheme manager to identify and develop investment opportunities appropriate to the pension fund that the scheme manager maintains for its part of the scheme. (3) Where the scheme manager participates in an asset pool company, the CCA may fulfil its duty to co-operate with the scheme manager under subsection (2) by co-operating with— (a) the scheme manager, (b) the asset pool company, or (c) both the scheme manager and the asset pool company. (4) A scheme manager participates in an asset pool company by— (a) being a shareholder of the company, (b) being a shareholder in another company which is the only shareholder of the company, or (c) contracting with the company for it to manage the funds and other assets for which the scheme manager is responsible. (5) In this section— “asset pool company” has the meaning given by section 1(9) of the Pension Schemes Act 2026; “local government worker” has the meaning given by section 37 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013; “scheme” has the meaning given by section 37 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013; “scheme manager”, in relation to a scheme for local government workers, means a person who is a scheme manager by virtue of section 4(5) of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 (being a person responsible for the local administration of pensions and other benefits payable under the scheme who maintains a pension fund for the purposes of providing pensions and other benefits under its part of the scheme).

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24C Powers not limited by other provision or powers

(1) This section applies to a power under this Chapter to make subordinate legislation (the “SI-making power”) and a CCA if conditions A and B are met. (2) Condition A: the SI-making power confers power to make provision about a particular function or other matter (the “relevant function or matter”) in relation to the CCA. (3) Condition B: provision about the relevant function or matter which relates to the CCA— (a) is made by an enactment (whenever passed or made) that is not subordinate legislation made under this Chapter (the “separate provision”), or (b) could be made under a power conferred by an enactment that is not contained in this Chapter (the “separate power”), (whether or not that provision also relates to any other CCAs). (4) The separate provision or separate power does not limit the subordinate legislation that may be made under the SI-making power in relation to the CCA. (5) In particular, the separate provision or separate power does not prevent subordinate legislation under the SI-making power from— (a) making provision about the relevant function or matter in relation to the CCA which is to apply instead of the separate provision; (b) making modifications or other contrary provision to which the separate provision is to be subject in its application in relation to the CCA. (6) Subsection (4) applies to provision made under the SI-making power before or after the coming into force of this section.

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24D Non-mayoral CCA: consent to budget

(1) A non-mayoral CCA may only exercise the following functions with the consent of each constituent council— (a) adopt or amend the CCA’s budget; (b) where it is not part of the budget, approve the total sum of the transport levy. (2) In this section a reference to the “transport levy” is a reference to any levy issued by the CCA relating to the exercise of its functions relating to transport in accordance with any regulations made from time to time under section 74(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

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24E Non-mayoral CCA: functions imposing financial liability

(1) This section applies where a non-mayoral CCA considers that the exercise of a function by the CCA may result in a financial liability being incurred by one or more constituent councils (each such council being a “relevant constituent council”). (2) The function may only be exercised with the consent of each relevant constituent council. (3) When deciding whether subsection (1) applies, the CCA must have regard to the “Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom” published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, as amended or reissued from time to time.

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25 Changes to boundaries of a CCA’s area

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations change the boundaries of a CCA’s area by— (a) adding a relevant local government area to an existing area of a CCA, or (b) removing a relevant local government area from an existing area of a CCA. (2) In this section “relevant local government area” means— (a) the area of a two-tier county council, (b) the area of a unitary county council, or (c) the area of a unitary district council. (3) Regulations under subsection (1)(b)— (a) may transfer functions relating to the relevant local government area from the CCA to any other public authority; (b) may provide for any function of the CCA relating to the area to be no longer exercisable in relation to that area. (4) In subsection (3)(a) “public authority” includes— (a) a Minister of the Crown within the meaning of the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975, (b) a government department, (c) a county council, and (d) a district council. (5) Regulations may be made under subsection (1) only if the area to be created by the regulations meets conditions A and B in section 9. (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (11) Subsection (12) applies if a CCA has made provision about its constitution under regulations under section 10(1). (12) A decision about any change to that provision as a result of regulations under subsection (1) is to be decided at a meeting of the CCA by a simple majority of the voting members of the CCA who are present at the meeting. (13) A reference in this section to a voting member— (a) includes a substitute member who may act in place of a voting member; (b) does not include a non-constituent member.

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