The Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority Order 2014

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This order establishes the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 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 functions relating to transport and to economic development and regeneration 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 25th April 2013 by the constituent councils whose areas together make up the combined area of the new authority. The scheme is available at www.sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/projects/the-sheffield-city-region-authority.

Part 2 of the Order establishes the new authority, to be known as the Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority on 1st April 2014, and makes provision for its constitution and funding.

Article 4 of and Schedule 1 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 makes provision for the funding, by the constituent councils, of those costs of the Combined Authority that relate to the exercise of its economic development and regeneration functions.

Part 3 is about the transport aspects of the combined authority. Article 6 dissolves the South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority and transfers its functions and its property, rights and liabilities to the Combined Authority. Article 7 makes general adaptations to the primary and subordinate legislation, so that references to an integrated transport area or authority are to be treated as extending to the Combined Authority and its area. Article 8 makes the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive an executive body of the Combined Authority. Article 9 ensures continuity when functions, property, rights or liabilities are transferred by the Order.

Part 4 confers additional functions on the Combined Authority. Article 10 confers functions of the constituent councils relating to economic development and regeneration. These are set out in Schedule 2 to the Order and are to be exercised concurrently with the constituent councils. Articles 11 to 13 make some general, incidental provisions relating to the Combined Authority to enable it to carry out its functions more effectively.

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