Commentary Part 6: Economic Prosperity Boards and Combined Authorities Section 109 – Preparation and publication of scheme: new combined authority
242.If two or more of the authorities who have conducted a section 108 review conclude that the establishment of a combined authority for an area would be likely to improve the exercise of statutory functions relating to transport and economic development and regeneration, the effectiveness and efficiency of transport in the area, and the economic conditions in the area, the authorities may prepare and publish a scheme for the establishment of a combined authority for the scheme area.
243.Subsection (3) provides that the scheme area must consist of or include the whole or any part of the review area, may include one or more other local government areas and must meet conditions set out in section 103(2) to (4).
244.Subsection (4) ensures that the scheme area will only include the local government areas of authorities which participate in the preparation of the scheme or consent to their inclusion in the scheme area.
245.Subsection (5) identifies the authorities who must participate in, or consent to the inclusion of their area in, the scheme.