The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Order 2017

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order establishes the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Part 6 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”) provides for the establishment of combined authorities for the areas of two or more local authorities in England. Combined authorities are bodies corporate which may be given power to exercise specified functions in their area.

The Secretary of State may only establish a combined authority for an area where a scheme for such an authority has been published under section 109 of the 2009 Act. This Order has been made following the publication of such a scheme on 6th May 2015 by the constituent councils whose areas together make up the combined area of the new authority. The scheme is available at: https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/upload/www.peterborough.gov.uk/council/strategies-polices-and-plans/Devolution-CambridgeshireAndPeterboroughAuthoritiesGovernanceReview-AppendixB-17June2016.pdf?inline=true

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Part 2 of the Order establishes the new authority, to be known as the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (“the Combined Authority”), and makes provision for its constitution and funding.

Article 4 of and the Schedule to the Order make provision for the constitution of the Combined Authority. This is supplemental to the provision that is made by Part 1A of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972 (see paragraph (6A) of that Schedule, as amended by the 2009 Act).

Article 5 of the Order creates the office of Mayor for the area of the Combined Authority. This article further specifies the term of office for the Mayor for the area of the Combined Authority, and the dates on which elections for the return of a Mayor shall take place and the intervals between elections.

Article 6 makes provision for the funding, by the constituent councils, of the costs of the Combined Authority and the elected Mayor.

Part 3 concerns the transport functions of the Combined Authority. Article 7 provides for the Combined Authority to pay grant to Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. Articles 8 to 10 provide for the exercise of specified transport functions by the Combined Authority.

Part 4 confers additional functions on the Combined Authority. Article 11 provides for the powers in sections 1 to 8 of the Localism Act 2011 (general powers of authorities) to have effect in relation to the Combined Authority as they have effect in relation to a local authority. Article 12 sets out the functions of the Combined Authority which are to be only exercisable by the Mayor. Articles 13 to 16 make some general, incidental provisions relating to the Combined Authority to enable it to carry out its functions effectively.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared as this instrument will have no impact on the costs of business or the voluntary sector.