Commentary Part 6: Economic Prosperity Boards and Combined Authorities Section 108 – Review by authorities: new combined authority
240.This section provides that any two or more authorities of the types referred to in subsection (2) may review the effectiveness and efficiency of transport, and of the arrangements to promote economic development and regeneration, within the geographical area covered by the review. Where a review is conducted by a county council the review area must include the areas of one or more of the districts within the county or, where the county is a unitary authority, the area of the county council. Where it is conducted by a district council the review area must cover the area of the district council. The review can also be undertaken by an EPB or ITA but must include one or more local government areas within their existing area.
241.Subsection (7) enables a review area to include counties or districts the councils for which are not conducting the review. There is no compulsion on the councils of those areas included in the review area by virtue of subsection (7) to be part of a section 109 scheme but, if the conclusion of the review is to establish a combined authority and they agree to be included, they can be included in the scheme.