The Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority (Election of Mayor) Order 2016

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Part 6 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”) provides for the establishment of combined authorities for the areas of two or more local authorities in England. Combined authorities are bodies corporate which may be given power to exercise specified functions.

Under sections 107A(1) and 107B(3) of the 2009 Act the Secretary of State may provide for there to be a mayor for the area of a combined authority with the consent of the constituent councils of the combined authority (each district council or county council whose area is within the area of the combined authority) and any existing combined authority. Paragraph 3 of Schedule 5B to the 2009 Act provides that the Secretary of State may make provision for the dates on which and years in which mayoral elections for the area of a combined authority may or must take place, the intervals between elections for the return of a mayor and the term of office of a mayor.

Article 3 of the Order creates the position of mayor for the area of the Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority. Article 3 further specifies the term of office for the mayor for the area of the Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority, and the dates on which elections for the return of a mayor shall take place and the intervals between elections.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been prepared as this instrument will have no impact on the costs of business and the voluntary sector.