Commentary on provisions of Act Combined authorities: accountability etc Section 8: Overview and scrutiny committees and audit committees
Section 8 amends section 104 of the 2009 Act by inserting a new subsection (9) which introduces new Schedule 5A to the 2009 Act. New Schedule 5A requires all combined authorities to establish one or more overview and scrutiny committee(s) and an audit committee, with the functions and powers specified. It also enables the Secretary of State to make provision by order about the overview and scrutiny committee(s) of a combined authority. This provision may include details about the membership of an overview and scrutiny committee and the voting rights of such members; the person who is to be chair of such a committee; the appointment of a scrutiny officer of an overview and scrutiny committee; the circumstances in which matters may be referred to an overview and scrutiny committee; obligations on persons to respond to reports or recommendations made by an overview and scrutiny committee; the publication of reports, recommendations or responses; and the information which must, or must not, be disclosed to an overview and scrutiny committee.