This Order, which comes into force on 25th July 2008, establishes a joint committee for West Northamptonshire. The constituent authorities are Northamptonshire County Council, Northampton Borough Council, Daventry District Council and South Northamptonshire District Council.

Article 3 of the Order constitutes the joint committee as the local planning authority for the borough of Northampton and the districts of Daventry and South Northamptonshire. Together with article 4 it provides for the joint committee to exercise the functions of a local planning authority under Part 2 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 in relation to the preparation, submission and revision of certain local development documents and a joint local development scheme. Article 4(2) modifies section 15 of that Act so as to require the joint committee to submit its joint local development scheme to the Secretary of State not later than 25th October 2008.

Articles 5 to 10 deal with membership and voting rights, disqualification, tenure of office, meetings and proceedings, secondment of officers and expenses.

The Schedule to the Order makes further provision as to meetings and proceedings of the joint committee and enables the joint committee to make standing orders for the regulation of its proceedings.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen, and the impact on the public sector is minimal.