The Act Approval – inserted sections 13I and 13J
203.Sections 13I and 13J provide for a mechanism for a local transport authority to obtain approval for them to make their proposed franchising framework.
204.To do this, they must request that the traffic commissioner convene a panel for the purpose of approving the making of the proposed framework and provide the commissioner with a range of relevant information for passing to the panel.
205.On receipt of such a request, the traffic commissioner must give notice in such manner as the commissioner considers appropriate (for example, perhaps by publishing it in a local paper or putting it on its website) that the local transport authority are seeking approval and inform interested persons that they may make representation to the commissioner (who will them pass them on to the panel (see section 13J(2)).
206.Under section 13J, the traffic commissioner must appoint a panel to consider the application. The criteria and process for appointment to a panel will be set out in regulations made under section 13S.
207.It is open to the panel to approve the framework subject to the local transport authority making modifications to the approved framework before it is made (i.e. giving a conditional approval).