PART 1A

Arrangements with respect to local authority governance in England
CHAPTER 4

Changing governance arrangements

Referendums

Referendum: proposals by local authority
9MA
1
This section applies to a local authority which wishes to make a change in governance arrangements that is subject to approval in a referendum under section 9M.
2
The local authority must draw up proposals for the change.
3
The proposals must include—
a
a timetable with respect to the implementation of the proposals,
b
details of any transitional arrangements which are necessary for the implementation of the proposals, and
c
a statement that the change in governance arrangements is to be subject to approval in a referendum.
4
Subsections (5) and (6) apply where the proposed change in governance arrangements is of the kind set out in—
a
section 9K (change from one form of governance to another), or
b
section 9KA (change to a different form of executive).
5
If the proposed change in governance arrangements would result in the local authority having executive arrangements, the proposals must state the extent to which the functions specified in regulations under section 9D(3)(b) are to be the responsibility of the executive which will be operated if the proposals are implemented.
6
The proposals (particularly any provision about timetables and transitional matters included in accordance with subsection (3)) must be such as to ensure that the proposed change can take effect (so far as required to) in accordance with section 9L(2).
7
After drawing up the proposals, the local authority must—
a
secure that copies of a document setting out the proposals are available at its principal office for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable times, and
b
publish in one or more newspapers circulating in its area a notice which—
i
states that the authority has drawn up the proposals,
ii
describes the main features of the proposals,
iii
states that copies of a document setting out the proposals are available at the authority's principal office for inspection by members of the public at such times as may be specified in the notice, and
iv
specifies the address of the authority's principal office.
Pt. 1A modified (1.4.2013) by The Isles of Scilly (Functions) (Review and Scrutiny) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/643), arts. 1(1), 2
Pt. 1A modified by S.I. 2008/2113, reg. 10 (as substituted (5.9.2018) by The Local Government (Structural Changes) (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/930), regs. 1, 3(3))
Pt. 1A modified (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 12(5)-(8)
Pt. 1A modified (26.11.2018) by The Local Government (Boundary Changes) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1128), regs. 1(1), 15 (with reg. 1(2)(3))
Pt. 1A modified in part (23.5.2019) by The Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/957), arts. 1, 6(17)
Pt. 1A modified (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 27(8)
Pt. 1A modified in part (25.5.2018) by The West Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/639), arts. 1, 8(7)
Pt. 1A modified in part (25.5.2018) by The East Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/640), arts. 1, 8(7)
Pt. 1A modified in part (26.5.2018) by The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/649), arts. 1, 8(7)
Pt. 1A inserted (3.12.2011 for specified purposes, 15.1.2012 for the insertion of Pt. 1A Ch. 4 so far as not already in force and ss. 9B, 9C and 9R for specified purposes, 9.3.2012 for the insertion of ss. 9H-9HE in so far as not already in force and s. 9R for specified purposes, 4.5.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 2 para. 1; S.I. 2011/2896, art. 2(e); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(b) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/628, art. 2(a); S.I. 2012/1008, art. 4(b)
Pt. 1A modified in part (14.2.2020) by S.I. 2020/156, art. 7 (as substituted (8.5.2020) by The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Structural Changes) (Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/426), regs. 1(2), 12)
Pt. 1A modified in part (18.3.2022) by The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/331), arts. 1(1), 7(2)