Commentary on Sections Part 2: Local government reviews Section 15: Review procedure
65.A structural change is defined in section 14(1)(a) together with section 14(2) of the 1992 Act. It amounts to “the replacement, in any non-metropolitan area, of the two principal tiers of local government with a single tier”.
66.A boundary change, as defined in section 14(1)(b) together with section 14(3) of the 1992 Act, includes the alteration of a boundary, the constitution of a new local government area by the amalgamation of two or more local authorities, and the abolition of an existing authority.
67.Section 14 of the 1992 Act also sets out matters which may be included in the Boundary Committee’s recommendations. These include:
	the abolition or establishment of a local authority;
	the extent to which joint arrangements between authorities should be made in relation to functions affected by the structural change;
	whether, as a result of the changes, any modifications are needed to the arrangements for the preparation of unitary plans, structure and local plans, and mineral and waste plans;
	whether there should be any change in police areas in connection with the structural change recommended.
68.Section 15 of the 1992 Act sets out the procedure for a review, which is applied with modifications to reviews under this Act. As soon as reasonably practicable after being directed to conduct a review, the Boundary Committee must take steps to ensure that interested persons are informed of the direction and the period within which they may make representations. The Boundary Committee must take into consideration any representations made to them within this period. They must then prepare draft recommendations, again taking steps to ensure that interested persons are informed of them and of the period within which they may make representations; and they must deposit copies of the draft recommendations at the principal office of any principal council (or police authority) likely to be affected. The Boundary Committee must take into consideration any representations made to them in respect of the recommendations within the set time period.
69.The Boundary Committee must subsequently submit a report on the review to the Secretary of State along with their recommendations, acting to ensure that interested persons are informed of the recommendations and of the period within which they may be inspected. They must also deposit copies of the recommendations at the principal office of any principal council (or police authority) likely to be affected.
70.The application of section 15A of the 1992 Act enables the Boundary Committee to use an alternative shortened procedure when conducting a review in circumstances where they think this would be appropriate. The Boundary Committee might decide to do so where, for example, the Secretary of State has chosen to direct that a further review is to be held in a region after an earlier review and a ‘no’ vote in a previous referendum.
71.Section 16 of the 1992 Act requires the Audit Commission, if consulted, to provide a written opinion on the likely impact of any proposed structural changes on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of services provided by the bodies likely to be affected by the changes. The Audit Commission may require any body to supply it with information to carry out this task, and may charge fees to cover the cost of this task.