Commentary Introduction Section 123 - Partner authorities
276.This section sets out a list of public bodies and persons that will be “partner authorities” for the purpose of a multi-area agreement. This largely follows the list of bodies named for the purpose of agreeing a Local Area Agreement as set out in section 104 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. The Government intends that the list of named partner authorities for the purposes of multi-area agreements and local area agreements should be consistent unless there is a good reason for there to be a difference.
277.The English Sports Council (referred to in subsection (4)(b)) is the official name of Sports England. The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission (which is referred to in subsection (4)(e)) is the official name of English Heritage. The Secretary of State, in relation to the Secretary of State’s functions under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973 (referred to in paragraph )4)(j)(i) is a reference to functions are exercised by Jobcentre Plus. The functions described in subsection (4)(j)(ii) and (iii) are exercised by the Highways Agency.
278.Subsection (5) allows the Secretary of State to amend the list of partner authorities, by order, by adding any person with functions of a public nature, deleting any person, or by adding or deleting references to the Secretary of State's functions. The Secretary of State cannot exercise this power without first consulting appropriately (subsection (6)).