12.—(1) The functions of the constituent councils set out in Schedule 2 are exercisable by the Combined Authority in relation to its area.
(2) The functions are exercisable concurrently with the constituent councils.
(3) Any requirement in any enactment for a constituent council to exercise such a function may be fulfilled by the exercise of that function by the Combined Authority.
13. The following provisions shall have effect as if the Combined Authority were a local authority for the purposes of these provisions—
(a)section 142(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 (the power to arrange for publication of information etc relating to the functions of the authority); and
(b)section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972 (the power to prosecute and defend legal proceedings).
14.—(1) The Combined Authority shall have the power to exercise any of the functions described in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of section 88 of the Local Government Act 1985(1) (research and collection of information) whether or not a scheme is made under that section.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this article, paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 88(1) of the Local Government Act 1985 shall have effect as if a reference to “that area” were a reference to the combined area.
15. Section 13 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989(2) (voting rights of members of certain committees) shall have effect as if—
(a)in subsection (4) after paragraph (h) there were inserted—
“(i)subject to subsection (4A), a committee appointed by the Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority;”; and
(b)after subsection (4) there were inserted—
“(4A) A person who is a member of a committee falling within paragraph (i) of subsection (4) or a sub-committee appointed by such a committee shall for all purposes be treated as a non-voting member of that committee or sub-committee unless that person is a member of one of the constituent councils as defined by article 2 of the Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority Order 2014.”
16. The Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009(3) shall have effect as if the Combined Authority were a local authority for the purpose of section 84(2).
17. Regulation 64 of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 shall have effect as if after paragraph (8) there were inserted—
“(8A) Paragraph (8B) applies where the exiting employer is the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority (“the ITA”) and the liabilities of the fund in respect of benefits due to the ITA’s current and former employees (or those of any predecessor authority) have been or are to be transferred to the Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority as a result of the establishment of the combined authority by article 3(1) of the Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority Order 2014.
(8B) Where this paragraph applies, no exit payment is due under paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) does not apply.”.
18.—(1) The Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 are amended as follows.
(2) In Part 1 of Schedule 2 (Scheme employers), after paragraph 23 insert—
“24. The Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority established by the Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority Order 2014.”.
(3) In Part 2 of Schedule 3 (appropriate administering authority)—
(a)in column 1 of the table insert at the end—
“An employee of the Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority established by the Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland Combined Authority Order 2014.”;
(b)in column 2 of the table insert at the end—
“South Tyneside Council.”.