Member

On Amendment 96, it remains important that all tiers of local government work constructively together in the interests of their communities, but this amendment would not support that aim. I understand the intention behind it, but this proposal is duplicative and will place avoidable burdens on mayors and constituent authorities. Mayoral strategic authorities operate overview and scrutiny committees that are made up of councillors from constituent authorities. These committees already have the power to require the mayor to attend and answer questions. As local scrutiny committees are introduced, the English devolution accountability framework will be updated to reflect the new system. This will provide further guidance on effective ways of working with constituent councils in light of the reforms. Mandating the mayor to attend multiple annual meetings across all constituent councils would create a significant and unnecessary burden. These measures will deliver the strength and local assurance the sector has asked for without imposing additional bureaucracy on councils or mayors.