Section 7: Implementation of proposals by order.
38.This section allows the Secretary of State to implement by order proposals he receives from local authorities. This also applies to alternative proposals made by the Boundary Committee. Proposals may be implemented with or without modification. The Secretary of State may also decide to take no action on a proposal.
39.Subsection (2) provides that where the Secretary of State has requested advice on a proposal from the Boundary Committee he must wait six weeks from the date specified in the request for advice (or a later date if this date is then substituted) before making a decision or an order.
40.Subsection (3) provides that the Secretary of State may not make an order to implement a proposal received in response to an invitation or direction unless he has previously consulted every authority affected by the proposal (except the authority or authorities which made it) and such other persons as he considers appropriate. This provision does not apply to the implementation (with or without modification) of alternative proposals made by the Boundary Committee.
41.Subsection (4) defines an authority “affected by” a proposal as a county council or district council whose area or any part of whose area falls within the area that the proposal suggests should have a single tier of government.
42.Subsection (5) provides that where a proposal is submitted jointly by every authority affected by it the Secretary of State may consult, before making an order, such other persons as he considers appropriate and that subsection (3) in these circumstances (obligation on the Secretary of State to consult before implementing a proposal) does not apply.
43.Subsection (6) provides that the Secretary of State may request information or advice from the Boundary Committee on any matter relating to the proposal. Subsection (7) provides a power for the Boundary Committee to respond to such a request.
