Local Government, England PART 1 Introduction Citation and commencement 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) (Amendment) Regulations 2024. 2 These Regulations come into force on— a the day after the day on which they are made in relation to— i this regulation; ii regulations 12 and 17 as they apply to combined authorities; and iii regulations 18 to 26; and b 7th May 2024 in relation to— i regulations 12 and 17 as they apply to combined county authorities; and ii all other regulations. PART 2 Amendment of the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017 Amendment of the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017 2 The Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017 is amended in accordance with this Part. Article 2 (interpretation) 3 In article 2 (interpretation)— a in paragraph (1)— i in the appropriate places insert— “ the 2023 Act ” means the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023; “ independent remuneration panel ” has the meaning given in article 16; “ principal council ” has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 1972 ; “ substitute member ” means any person appointed to act as a member of a combined authority or, as the case may be, of a combined county authority, in the absence of a member of that authority; ; ii in the definition of “mayor”, at the end insert “or, as the case may be, for the area of a combined county authority established in regulations made under section 27 of the 2023 Act” ; iii in the definition of “non constituent council”, for “non constituent” substitute “non-constituent” in both places those words occur; iv omit the definition of “principal authority”, and “and” at the end of that definition; b after paragraph (2) insert— 3 For the purposes of this Order, any reference to a council which can nominate a non-constituent member of a combined authority or a combined county authority, means any council which has been designated as a nominating body in relation to the appointment of a non-constituent member of a combined authority or, as the case may be, a combined county authority, or is a member of a body which has been so designated— a in the case of a combined authority, under section 104A(1) of the 2009 Act; or b in the case of a combined county authority, under section 11(1) of the 2023 Act. 4 For the purposes of this Order, an elected mayor (as defined in section 9H(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 ) of any council is to be treated as a member of that council. . Article 3 (overview and scrutiny committees) 4 In article 3 (overview and scrutiny committees)— a in paragraph (1), after “authority’s” in both places it occurs, insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority’s,” ; b in paragraph (4), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority” . Article 4 (appointment of members) 5 In article 4 (appointment of members)— a in paragraph (1), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; b in paragraph (2)(a), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” . Article 5 (appointment of chair) 6 In article 5 (appointment of chair)— a in paragraph (1), after “Act” insert “, in the case of a combined authority, or in accordance with provision made under paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act, in the case of a combined county authority” ; b for paragraph (2) substitute— 2 A person is independent if the person— a is not a member or substitute member, or officer, of the combined authority, or, as the case may be, combined county authority; b is not a member, co-opted member, or officer of a principal council or parish council, whose area is within the area of the combined authority, or, as the case may be, the combined county authority; c is not a relative, or close friend, of a person within sub-paragraph (a) or (b); and d was not— i a member or substitute member, or officer, of the authority, or ii a member, co-opted member, or officer of a principal council or parish council, whose area is within the area of the authority, at any time during the five years ending with an appointment as chair of the overview and scrutiny committee under arrangements made by the authority in accordance with paragraph 3(4)(a) of Schedule 5A to the 2009 Act, in the case of a combined authority, or paragraph 3(4)(a) of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act, in the case of a combined county authority. ; c in paragraph (3)— i in sub-paragraph (a), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority” ; d in paragraph (5), after “Act” insert “in the case of a combined authority, or in accordance with provision made under paragraph 3(4)(b) of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act, in the case of a combined county authority” ; e in paragraph (6)(a), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, on the combined county authority” . Article 6 (reference of matters to overview and scrutiny committees) 7 In article 6 (reference of matters to overview and scrutiny committees)— a in paragraph (1)— i in the opening words, after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii in sub-paragraph (c)— aa after “member” insert “or substitute member” ; bb after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; iii after sub-paragraph (c) omit “and”; iv for sub-paragraph (d) substitute— d any member of a constituent council, non-constituent council or principal council which can nominate a non-constituent member of the combined authority, or, as the case may be, of the combined county authority, to refer to an overview and scrutiny committee any matter which is relevant to the functions of the committee and is not an excluded matter; and e any other principal council whose area is within the area of the combined county authority, but not a member of that council, to refer to an overview and scrutiny committee any matter which is relevant to the functions of the committee and is not an excluded matter, and is related to the area of that principal council. ; b in paragraph (2)— i after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii after “member” in the first place it occurs substitute “or substitute member” ; iii after “(d)” insert “or a council mentioned in paragraph (1)(e)” ; iv after “member” in the second place it occurs insert “, substitute member or council” ; c for paragraph (3) substitute— 3 Paragraphs (4) to (7) apply where a matter is referred to an overview and scrutiny committee by— a a member or substitute member of a combined authority or, as the case may be, a member or substitute member of a combined county authority, b a member of a constituent council, c a member of a non-constituent council, d a member of a principal council which can nominate a non-constituent member, e a principal council referred to in paragraph (1)(e), in accordance with arrangements made by the combined authority or, as the case may be, the combined county authority, pursuant to paragraph (1)(c), (d) or (e). ; d for paragraph (4) substitute— 4 In considering whether or not to exercise any of the powers under arrangements made in accordance with— a paragraph 1(2)(a) or (3)(a) of Schedule 5A to the 2009 Act in the case of a combined authority, or b paragraph 1(2)(a) or (3)(a) of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act in the case of a combined county authority, in relation to a matter referred to the committee, the committee must have regard to any representations made by the member, substitute member or council as to why it would be appropriate for the committee to exercise any of these powers in relation to the matter. ; e in paragraph (5)— i for “paragraph 1(2)(a)” to “Act” substitute “the provisions specified in paragraph (4)” ; ii after “member” insert “, substitute member or council” ; f in paragraph (6)— i after “member” in both places it occurs insert “, substitute member or council” ; ii after “Act” insert “in the case of a combined authority, or under paragraph 1(2)(b) or (3)(b) of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act in the case of a combined county authority,” . Article 7 (duty of combined authority and mayor to respond to overview and scrutiny committee) 8 In article 7 (duty of combined authority and mayor to respond to overview and scrutiny committee)— a in the heading, after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” ; b in paragraph (1)(b), after “authority” in both places it occurs insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; c in paragraph (2)— i after “authority” in the first place it occurs insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii for “the combined” in the second place those words occur, substitute “that” ; d in paragraph (3)— i after “authority” in the first place it occurs insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii for “the combined” in the second place those words occur, substitute “that” ; e in paragraph (4), after “Where” in the first place it occurs insert “, in relation to a combined authority,” ; f after paragraph (4) insert— 5 Where, in relation to a combined county authority, an overview and scrutiny committee exercises any of its powers under arrangements made in accordance with paragraph 1(2) or 1(3) of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act in relation to a decision made but not implemented— a where recommendations have been made under paragraph 1(4)(b) of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act, the combined county authority or the mayor must hold a meeting to reconsider the decision no later than 10 days after the date on which the recommendations of the overview and scrutiny committee were received by the combined county authority; and b any direction under arrangements made in accordance with paragraph 1(4)(a) of Schedule 1 to the 2023 Act may have effect for a period not exceeding 14 days from the date on which the direction is issued. . Article 8 (confidential and exempt information) 9 In article 8 (confidential and exempt information)— a in paragraph (1)— i in sub-paragraph (a) after “authority” in both places it occurs, insert “or combined county authority” ; ii in sub-paragraph (b)— aa after “member” in the first place it occurs insert “or substitute member” ; bb after “authority” in the first place it occurs insert “or of a combined county authority” ; cc for “or a non-constituent council” substitute “, a non-constituent council or a principal council which can nominate a non-constituent member of the combined authority or, as the case may be, of the combined county authority, or to another principal council whose area is within the area of the combined county authority” ; dd after “authority” in the second place it occurs insert “or a combined county authority” ; b in paragraph (2), after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” ; c in paragraph (3)— i after “authority” in the first place it occurs, insert “or combined county authority” ; ii after “member” in the first place it occurs insert “or substitute member” ; iii after “authority” in the second place it occurs, insert “or of the combined county authority” ; iv for “or a non-constituent council” substitute “, a non-constituent council or a principal council which can nominate a non-constituent member of the combined authority or, as the case may be, of the combined county authority, or to another principal council whose area is within the area of the combined county authority” ; d in paragraph (4), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority” ; e in paragraph (5), after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” . Article 9 (scrutiny officer) 10 In article 9 (scrutiny officer)— a in paragraph (1), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; b in paragraph (2)(c), after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” ; c in paragraph (3)— i after “authority” in the first place it occurs, insert “or combined county authority” ; ii for “the combined” substitute “that” . Article 10 (additional rights of access to documents for members of overview and scrutiny committees) 11 In article 10 (additional rights of access to documents for members of overview and scrutiny committees)— a in paragraph (1)— i in sub-paragraph (a) after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” ; ii in sub-paragraph (b)(ii) after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” ; b in paragraph (2)— i after “authority” in the first place it occurs insert “or combined county authority” ; ii omit “combined” in the second place it occurs; c in paragraph (4) after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” . New article 10A 12 After article 10 (additional rights of access to documents for members of overview and scrutiny committees) insert— Payment of overview and scrutiny committee members 10A 1 A combined authority or, as the case may be, a combined county authority, may pay an allowance to a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee of that authority. 2 Any such allowance may only be paid after the authority has considered a report published by an independent remuneration panel containing recommendations for the payment of allowances to members of an overview and scrutiny committee, and any allowance paid must not exceed the amount recommended by that panel. 3 In this article references to an overview and scrutiny committee include references to any sub-committee of such a committee. . Article 11 (key decisions) 13 In article 11 (key decisions)— a in paragraph (1)— i in sub-paragraph (a)— aa in the opening words after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” ; bb in paragraph (i) for “the combined” in both places those words occur, substitute “that” ; cc in paragraph (ii) after “authority” insert “or combined county authority” ; ii for sub-paragraph (b) substitute— b “ decision maker ” includes a mayor or a person exercising functions pursuant to— i in the case of a combined authority, arrangements under section 107D(3)(a) or (b) of the 2009 Act, or ii in the case of a combined county authority, arrangements under section 30(3)(a) or (b) of the 2023 Act. . b in paragraph (2)(a), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority” ; c in paragraph (3)— i in sub-paragraph (a)(i) after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii in sub-paragraph (b) “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority” . Article 12 (general exception) 14 In article 12 (general exception)— a in paragraph (1)(b)— i after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii for “the combined” in the second place those words occur, substitute “that” ; b in paragraph (3), for “the combined” in both places those words occur, substitute “that” . Article 13 (cases of special urgency) 15 In article 13 (cases of special urgency)— a in paragraph (1)— i in sub-paragraph (b), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority” ; ii in sub-paragraph (c), for “the combined” in both places those words occur, substitute “that” ; b in paragraph (2)— i in sub-paragraph (a) after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii in sub-paragraph (b), for “the combined” substitute “that” . Article 14 (audit committees) 16 In article 14 (audit committees)— a in paragraph (1) after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; b in paragraph (2) for “the combined” in both places those words occur, substitute “that” ; c in paragraph (3), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; d in paragraph (4)— i in sub-paragraph (a) for “, co-opted member” substitute “or substitute member” ; ii for sub-paragraph (b) substitute— b is not a member, co-opted member or officer of a principal council or a parish council whose area is within the area of the authority; ; iii in sub-paragraph (d)— aa in paragraph (i) for “, co-opted member” substitute “or substitute member” ; bb for paragraph (ii) substitute— ii a member, co-opted member or officer of a principal council or a parish council whose area is within the area of the authority. ; e in paragraph (5)— i in sub-paragraph (a) after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” ; ii in sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) for “the combined” substitute “that” ; f in paragraph (7), after “authority” insert “or, as the case may be, combined county authority,” . New article 15 17 After article 14 insert— Payment of audit committee members 15 1 A combined authority or, as the case may be, a combined county authority, may pay an allowance to a member of a constituent council who is appointed to the audit committee of that authority. 2 Any such allowance may only be paid after the authority has considered a report published by an independent remuneration panel containing recommendations for the payment of allowances to members of the audit committee, and any allowance paid must not exceed the amount recommended by that panel. . Independent remuneration panels 18 After Part 4 insert— PART 5 Independent Remuneration Panels Independent remuneration panels 16 1 An independent remuneration panel is— a a panel established by one or more of the combined authority’s, or combined county authority’s, constituent councils, under regulation 20 of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 , or b a panel established by the combined authority or combined county authority to make recommendations to that authority about allowances paid in accordance with articles 10A (payment of overview and scrutiny committee members) and 15 (payment of audit committee members). 2 An independent remuneration panel established in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) must consist of at least three members none of whom— a is also a member of the combined authority or, as the case may be, the combined county authority, or is a member of a committee or sub-committee of that authority; or b is disqualified from being or becoming a member of that authority. 3 The independent remuneration panel may be a panel established to make recommendations to the combined authority or, as the case may be, combined county authority about other allowances payable by that authority. 4 An independent remuneration panel established by the combined authority or combined county authority in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) may be used by that authority to make recommendations about other allowances payable by the authority. 5 The combined authority or, as the case may be, combined county authority, may pay the expenses of an independent remuneration panel in carrying out its functions and may pay the members of the panel such allowances or expenses as that authority may determine. . PART 3 Amendment of other secondary legislation The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Order 2011 19 In paragraph 3C of Schedule 1(remuneration) to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Order 2011— a in sub-paragraph (1) for “(3)(a)” substitute “(3)” , b in sub-paragraph (2) after “council” insert “or a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or a sub-committee of that committee, or to the audit committee of the GMCA” ; c in sub-paragraph (3) for paragraph (b) substitute— b the GMCA may pay an allowance not exceeding the allowance recommended by the independent remuneration panel to elected members of constituent councils appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee, including to any sub-committee of that committee, or to the audit committee; . The Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority Order 2014 20 In Schedule 1 (constitution) to the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority Order 2014 — a in paragraph 7— i for “7A and 7B” substitute “7A, 7B and 7C” ; ii after “members” insert “or to members of a constituent council who are appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee, or to the audit committee of the Combined Authority” ; b in paragraph 7B(1)— i at the end of paragraph (a) omit “and”; ii after paragraph (b) insert— c a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or a sub-committee of that committee; and d a member of the Combined Authority or of a constituent council who is appointed to the audit committee ; c in paragraph 7C— i in the opening words, for “to the Mayor or Deputy Mayor” substitute “in accordance with paragraph 7B(1)” ; ii in sub-paragraph (a), for “7A” substitute “7B” . The West Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2014 21 In Schedule 1 (constitution) to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2014 — a in paragraph 7 (remuneration)— i after “9” insert “, 9A” ; ii after “members” insert “or to members of a constituent council who are appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee, or to the audit committee, of the Combined Authority” ; b after paragraph 9 insert— 9A The Combined Authority may pay an allowance to— a a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee of the Combined Authority, or a sub-committee of that committee, b a member of the Combined Authority or a member of a constituent council who is appointed to the audit committee of the Combined Authority, in accordance with any recommendations made by its independent remuneration panel. . The Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority Order 2014 22 In Schedule 1, paragraph 7 (remuneration) to the Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority Order 2014 — a for sub-paragraph (1) substitute— 1 Subject to sub-paragraph (3), no remuneration is to be payable by the Combined Authority to— a its members, other than allowances for travel and subsistence paid in accordance with a scheme drawn up by the Combined Authority; b members of a constituent council who are appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee, or to members of the Combined Authority or a constituent council who are appointed to the audit committee, of the Combined Authority. ; b in sub-paragraph (3)— i in the opening words, after “Mayor” insert “or to a member of the Combined Authority or to a member of a constituent council referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(b)” ; ii in paragraph (a) for the words from “by one or more” to “2003” substitute “in accordance with article 16 of the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017” . The Tees Valley Combined Authority Order 2016 23 In Schedule 1, paragraph 7 (remuneration), to the Tees Valley Combined Authority Order 2016 — a in sub-paragraph (1)— i for “paragraph (2)” substitute “sub-paragraphs (2) and (3)” ; ii after “members” insert “or to members of a constituent council who are appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee or to the audit committee of the Combined Authority; b after sub-paragraph (2) insert— 3 The Combined Authority may pay an allowance to— a a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee of the Combined Authority, or a sub-committee of that committee, b a member of the Combined Authority or a member of a constituent council who is appointed to the audit committee of the Combined Authority, in accordance with any recommendations made by its independent remuneration panel. . The West Midlands Combined Authority Order 2016 24 In Schedule 1, paragraph 7 (remuneration), to the West Midlands Combined Authority Order 2016 — a in sub-paragraph (1)— i for “paragraph (2)” substitute “sub-paragraphs (2) and (3)” ; ii after “members” insert “or to members of a constituent council who are appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee or to the audit committee of the Combined Authority” ; b after sub-paragraph (2) insert— 3 The Combined Authority may pay an allowance to— a a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee of the Combined Authority, or a sub-committee of that committee, b a member of the Combined Authority or a member of a constituent council who is appointed to the audit committee of the Combined Authority, in accordance with any recommendations made by its independent remuneration panel. . The West of England Combined Authority Order 2017 25 In Schedule 1, paragraph 8 (remuneration) to the West of England Combined Authority Order 2017 — a in sub-paragraph (1)— i for “sub-paragraph (2)” substitute “sub-paragraphs (2) and (3)” ; ii after “members” insert “or to members of a constituent council who are appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee or to the audit committee of the Combined Authority” ; b after sub-paragraph (2) insert— 3 The Combined Authority may pay an allowance to— a a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee of the Combined Authority, or a sub-committee of that committee, b a member of the Combined Authority or a member of a constituent council who is appointed to the audit committee of the Combined Authority, in accordance with any recommendations made by its independent remuneration panel. . The Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority Order 2017 26 In the Schedule to the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority Order 2017 , for paragraph 8 (remuneration) substitute— 8 1 Save as provided for in sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), no remuneration is to be payable by the Combined Authority to its members or to members of a constituent council referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(b) and (c), other than allowances for travel and subsistence paid in accordance with a scheme drawn up by the Combined Authority. 2 The Combined Authority may pay an allowance to— a the Mayor; b a member of a constituent council who is appointed to an overview and scrutiny committee of the Combined Authority or to a sub-committee of that committee; or c a member of the Combined Authority or to a member of a constituent council who is appointed to the audit committee of the Combined Authority. 3 The Combined Authority may only pay an allowance under sub-paragraph (2) if— a the Combined Authority has considered a report published by an independent remuneration panel established in accordance with article 16 of the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017 which contains recommendations for such an allowance; and b the allowance paid by the Combined Authority does not exceed the amount specified in the recommendation made by that panel. . Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Jacob Young Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 26th March 2024