Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

128 Submission of existing multi-area agreement

(1) This section applies to a multi-area agreement prepared otherwise than in accordance with a direction under section 125.

(2) The local authorities for the area covered by the agreement may—

(a) submit the agreement to the Secretary of State, and

(b) request the Secretary of State to approve the agreement under section 129.

(3) The local authorities making the request—

(a) must include all of the local authorities for the area covered by the agreement, other than any non-unitary district council for that area;

(b) may include any non-unitary district council for that area.

(4) Before making the request, the local authorities must consult—

(a) any other local authority for the area covered by the agreement, and

(b) each partner authority for that area.

(5) The agreement must specify, in relation to each improvement target—

(a) the persons or persons to whom the target relates, and

(b) where the target does not relate to the whole of the proposed area, the part or parts of the area to which it relates.

(6) The agreement must specify the period for which it has effect.

(7) The request must be made in writing and must—

(a) identify the local authorities making the request,

(b) nominate one of them as the responsible authority in relation to the agreement,

(c) identify the area covered by the agreement, and

(d) provide information about the outcome of the consultation under subsection (4).

(8) The local authorities making the request must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State about such requests.