Member

Finally, on Amendments 57 and 58, which seek to ensure that overview and scrutiny committees have the power to recommend that the appointment of a commissioner is not confirmed, I appreciate that the noble Lord, Lord Shipley, said that he did not intend to press these amendments, but I shall briefly cover the points that he makes. I can confirm to him that the guidance will invite the recommendation of the overview and scrutiny committee on a nominated appointment. In doing so, the committee can confirm whether they accept or reject a nomination or believe it necessary to hold a confirmation hearing. This will apply to combined authorities and combined county authorities. I note that the noble Lord’s amendments apply only to the latter, but that would create an unacceptable divergence between the two types of strategic authority.