Member

As noble Lords may have guessed, although we have had some concerns about the amendments in the names of the noble Lords, Lord Bach and Lord Bassam, we support the intention behind the probing amendment tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, in relation to Clause 9 standing part. Removing the ability of mayors to appoint unelected commissioners is a natural and logical extension of our concerns, which I have outlined. Where specialist expertise is required for a specific project or area, there is a role for elected officials. Every council will have, and every mayor should have, officials who are appointed in a normal process, who are ongoing, and who are the combined authority’s expert in an area. A separate commissioner should not be needed. Having an expert who is an official is very different. We are not conferring formal decision-making powers on them; those will remain with the elected people.