‘(1) Where a local authority in England make an application for the Secretary of State to make regulations under section (Power to test different ways of working) the Secretary of State must invite an expert panel to give advice about—

(a) the capability of the authority to achieve the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) of that section if the regulations are made,

(b) the likely impact of the regulations on children and young people, and

(c) the adequacy of any measures that will be in place to monitor the impact of the regulations on children and young people.

(2) The expert panel is to consist of—

(a) the Children’s Commissioner,

(b) Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, and

(c) one or more other persons appointed by the Secretary of State to consider the application.

(3) The Secretary of State may appoint a person under subsection (2)(c) to consider an application only if the Secretary of State thinks that the person has expertise relevant to the subject matter of the application.

(4) Having invited the expert panel to advise, the Secretary of State must wait at least 6 weeks before making regulations under section (Power to test different ways of working) in response to the application.

(5) Before making regulations under section (Power to test different ways of working) in response to the application, the Secretary of State must also publish any written advice given during that 6 week period by the expert panel.’—

This would impose consultation requirements on the Secretary of State before making regulations under NC2.

Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.

New Clause 7