Member

Given that certain transport functions in some of these authorities will remain with the constituent councils during the transition period, how do the Government plan to ensure effective co-ordination between the new combined authorities and the councils, and what mechanisms will be in place to prevent any gaps in service delivery or policy implementation? Finally, can the Minister assure the Committee that this is part of a genuine devolution and that the Government will continue to seek to devolve more to local areas and away from the centre—the UK being one of the most centralised countries in the OECD? As has been mentioned earlier, can he assure the Committee that the proposed local government reorganisation operates seamlessly with these changes?