Commentary on Sections Part 2: Local government reviews Section 16: Boundary Committee recommendations
72.Section 16(2) requires the Boundary Committee, in providing recommendations as to the matters considered by a local government review, to provide at least two structural change options in relation to each two-tier county area. Options for structural change include any boundary changes in connection with or to facilitate the structural change, as provided by section 14(3)(b) of the Act.
73.Subsections (3) and (4) provide that, after the receipt of the recommendations, the Secretary of State may direct the Committee to provide him with additional information and advice and that he may reject one or more of the options. Where the Secretary of State rejects an option he may direct the Boundary Committee:
A further review is subject to the same procedural provisions as the first review, but the direction to the Boundary Committee is made without consideration of the level of interest in the region in an assembly referendum. The Secretary of State is entitled to respond in the same way to further recommendations received from the Boundary Committee.