Local Government Act 2000

32 Alternative arrangements

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify arrangements by a local authority with respect to the discharge of their functions (referred to in this Part as alternative arrangements) which are arrangements of a type—

(a) which do not involve the creation and operation of an executive of the authority,

(b) which include arrangements for the appointment of committees or sub-committees of the authority to review or scrutinise decisions made, or other action taken, in connection with the discharge of functions of the authority, and

(c) which the Secretary of State considers are likely to ensure that decisions of the authority are taken in an efficient, transparent and accountable way.

(2) The arrangements which may be specified by regulations under this section include—

(a) arrangements for the discharge of functions of a local authority by individual members of the authority or by individual members of any committee or sub-committee of the authority,

(b) arrangements for the appointment of committees or sub-committees of a local authority the membership of which is determined otherwise than in accordance with the political balance requirements.

(3) Regulations under this section may make provision with respect to committees or sub-committees falling within subsection (1)(b) (including provision which applies or reproduces (with or without modifications) any provisions of section 21 or paragraphs 7 to 11 of Schedule 1).

(4) Regulations under this section may make provision for the purpose of determining the functions of a local authority which may, may not or must be the subject of alternative arrangements of any particular type.

(5) Nothing in subsection (2), (3) or (4) affects the generality of the power under subsection (1).