Previously called Standing Committees, Public Bill Commitees study proposed legislation (Bills) in detail, debating each clause and reporting any amendments to the Commons for further debate.
There are at least 16 MPs on a Committee, and the proportion of parties reflects the House of Commons, so the government always has a majority.
(Morning)
Sam Chapman-Allen and Justin Griggs gave evidence.
Bev Craig, Kevin Bentley and Matthew Hicks gave evidence.
Catriona Riddell and Ion Fletcher gave evidence.
Nick Plumb and Robbie Whittaker gave evidence.
[Valerie Vaz in the Chair]
Tracy Brabin, Ben Houchen and Donna Jones gave evidence.
Andrew Goodacre and Allen Simpson gave evidence.
Gareth Davies and Bill Butler gave evidence.
Mark Stocks gave evidence.
Zoë Billingham and Professor John Denham gave evidence.
Richard Hebditch and Naomi Luhde-Thompson gave evidence.
Sacha Bedding gave evidence.
Miatta Fahnbulleh gave evidence.
[Sir John Hayes in the Chair]
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 261, in clause 2, page 2, line 21, after “economic development”, insert “, poverty and socio-economic inequality,” This amendment would make...
I beg to move amendment 4, in clause 3, page 2, line 27, leave out subsections (1) to (3) and insert— “(1) A unitary district council or a county council may submit a proposal to the...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendment proposed: 266, in schedule 1, page 79, line 15, leave out subparagraph (b).—(David Simmonds.) This amendment, and Amendments 267 to 273, remove the ability of the Secretary of...
[Sir John Hayes in the Chair]
Amendment proposed (this day): 25, in schedule 1, page 83, line 3, at end insert— “(6A) After preparing a proposal the Secretary of State must publish a statement demonstrating how...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 68, in clause 9, page 11, line 19, leave out from “function” to “, or” in line 20. This would omit this wording is because of its replacement by...
I beg to move amendment 70, in schedule 3, page 111, line 33, at end insert— “(d) excepted fire and rescue functions.” This would prevent a commissioner appointed by the mayor...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 82, in clause 11, page 14, leave out from line 35 to line 13 on page 15 and insert— “(a) omit subsection (11)(a); (b) in subsection (11)(b), for ‘that...
I beg to move amendment 20, in clause 12, page 16, line 24, at end insert— “(9AA) A combined authority or CCA must provide a report to the Secretary of State to lay before both Houses...
We have a number of clauses on which I feel we can make some progress. My proposal is that we get to either the end of clause 19 or 5 pm, whichever comes first. I will not sit here in the cold...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
We now come to amendment 361 in the name of Manuela Perteghella. Do you wish to press this to a vote?
[Graham Stuart in the Chair]
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 8, in clause 21, page 23, line 28, leave out subsection (b) and insert— “(b) one or more of the following— (i) health and social care; (ii) planning;...
I beg to move amendment 296, in clause 22, page 25, line 29, at end insert— “(7A) The guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 7 may not include a role for trade...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 372, in schedule 5, page 124, leave out lines 1 to 14. This amendment would remove the Secretary of State’s power to make regulations which create exemptions from...
[Valerie Vaz in the Chair]
Amendment proposed (this day): 300, in schedule 5, page 128, line 11, at end insert— “(3) The regulations must include a requirement for the license holder to maintain sufficient...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendment proposed: 348, in schedule 7, page 138, line 22, at end insert— 3 “(1) Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 is amended as follows. (2) After paragraph (4)...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 87, in schedule 8, page 142, line 20, leave out from beginning to “that” in line 25 and insert “under section 33 or 33A of the Traffic Management Act...
I beg to move amendment 287, in clause 28, page 36, line 12, leave out “implement” and insert “have regard to”. This amendment, and Amendment 288, would ensure that...
I beg to move amendment 88, in schedule 9, page 149, leave out lines 25 and 26 and insert— “(a) the council is a constituent council of a combined authority or a combined county...
I beg to move amendment 105, in clause 30, page 38, line 3, leave out “adult”. This would be consequential on Amendment 108.
13 The Education Act 1996 is amended in accordance with this Part of this Schedule. 14 (1) Section 15ZA (duty in respect of education and training for persons over compulsory school age: England)...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 58, in schedule 12, page 162, leave out sub-paragraph (5). This amendment would remove provision for the Secretary of State to have the power to approve a Mayoral...
[Sir John Hayes in the Chair]
Question proposed, That the schedule be the Twelfth schedule to the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 109, in schedule 15, page 173, line 7, leave out paragraph (a) and insert— “(a) in subsection (1), after ‘HCA’ insert ‘or a strategic...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendments made: 155, in schedule 16, page 184, line 17, at end insert— “(1B) But if a local housing authority has complied with the duty imposed by subsection (1) in relation to a...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 290, in schedule 17, page 193, line 2, at end insert— “7A After section 202, insert— ‘202A: restrictions on designation of greenfield land Where an...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 54, in schedule 19, page 200, line 17, at end insert— “(d) comply with any Land Use Framework issued by the Secretary of State, and (e) comply with any local...
[Dame Siobhain McDonagh in the Chair]
Amendment proposed (this day): 352, in schedule 19, page 200, line 17, at end insert— “(d) include an overview of the views of town and parish councils in the local authority area...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 358, in clause 40, page 40, line 31, at end insert— “(2A) In section 144, after subsection (1) insert— ‘(1A) In exercising powers under subsection...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 197, in schedule 20, page 205, line 6, leave out— “, a combined authority and a combined county authority”. This removes the reference to combined...
I beg to move amendment 247, in clause 43, page 44, line 14, at end insert— “(2A) The Secretary of State has a duty to ensure that a combined authority has sufficient financial...
I beg to move amendment 21, in clause 44, page 46, line 2, at beginning insert— “The Secretary of State may by regulations require that”. This amendment would ensure the powers...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendments made: 205, in schedule 21, page 206, line 9, after second “the” insert “police”. This clarifies that “the Area” means a police area. This amendment...
I beg to move amendment 209, in clause 46, page 51, line 10, leave out from “for” to end of line 14 and insert— “the whole of its area if the Secretary of State designates...
Amendments made: 214, in schedule 22, page 229, line 15, leave out from “scheme” to end of line 17 and insert “— (a) is made in consequence of an order under section 1A,...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 9, in clause 49, page 54, line 30, leave out subsection (3) and insert— “(3) Where a notification under subsection (1) is given, the Secretary of State must,...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
[Dame Siobhain McDonagh in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 307, in schedule 23, page 237, line 9, at end insert— “()ba a single foundation strategic authority.” This amendment would allow the Secretary of State...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 299, in clause 53, page 57, line 31, leave out subsection (5). This amendment removes the provision for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 48, in schedule 24, page 245, line 30, after “merger’” insert “or splitting”. This amendment is related to Amendment 50.
[Valerie Vaz in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 5, in schedule 24, page 246, line 27, after “government” insert — “having particular regard to the need for the new single tier of local...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 315, in schedule 25, page 251, line 1, leave out “Duty to move” and insert “Moving”. This amendment, alongside Amendments 316 to 325 makes the...
I beg to move amendment 14, in clause 58, page 60, line 11, at end insert— “(1A) It is a duty of a local authority to specify the description of a neighbourhood area that will apply...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 349, in schedule 27, page 265, leave out lines 1 to 8. This amendment would remove the provision for assets of community value to be removed from the list of assets of...
[Sir John Hayes in the Chair]
I remind Members again that we observe all the normal courtesies: speaking through the Chair, not having our phones ringing, not eating food or drink of any kind, apart from water, bowing or...
Establishment of Local Audit Office
I beg to move amendment 16, in clause 62, page 65, line 17, leave out from “acting” to end, and insert “who— (a) are wholly independent of the Local Audit Office, and (b)...
Amendments made: 238, in schedule 29, page 297, line 17, at end insert— “Financial penalties 2A (1) If the Local Audit Office considers that an external registration body has failed...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 18, in clause 66, page 70, after line 28 insert— “(4A) A Local Audit Office may make arrangements about— (a) the membership of an audit committee; (b)...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendments made: 241, in schedule 30, page 311, line 10, at end insert— “(b) for “body by a relevant authority” substitute “Office or body by a health service...
I beg to move amendment 375, in clause 71, page 72, leave out lines 22 to 25 and insert— “54A Rent reviews and arrangements for new tenancies (1) Schedule 7A makes provision about...
[Dame Siobhain McDonagh in the Chair]
Amendment proposed (this day): 375, in clause 71, page 72, leave out lines 22 to 25 and insert— “54A Rent reviews and arrangements for new tenancies (1) Schedule 7A makes provision...
Amendments made: 376, in schedule 31, page 322, line 24, leave out from beginning to end of line 24 on page 323 and insert—
“Business tenancy” 1 (1) A tenancy is a “business tenancy” at a particular time if, at that time, Part 2 of this Act— (a) applies to the tenancy, or (b) has the...
Application of this Part 3 (1) This Part of this Schedule applies to a tenancy at a particular time if, at that time, it is a business tenancy with a rent review. (2) But this Part applies to...
Application of this Part 5A (1) This Part of this Schedule applies to a tenancy at a particular time if, at that time— (a) it is a business tenancy with a rent review, and (b) the rent...
Application of this Part 7A (1) This Part of this Schedule applies to a tenancy (the “superior tenancy”) at a particular time if, at that time— (a) the superior tenancy is a...
This would apply to pre-commencement tenancies that require any sub-tenancy to include terms that would be of no effect by virtue of paragraph 6(3) (as they could result in the new passing rent...
“In the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, after section 33A (inserted by section 66) insert— ‘33B Review of audit and reporting arrangements at Secretary of State’s...
“(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and publish guidance for charging authorities on— (a) the implementation and administration of...
“(1) Any function of a mayoral combined authority or mayoral combined county authority which— (a) relates to an area of competence, and (b) is not a mayoral function exercisable...
“(1) The mayor for the area of a combined authority or combined county authority must take reasonable steps to ensure that information regarding the authority’s financial affairs,...
“The Secretary of State has a duty to ensure that local authorities are adequately funded for any purposes relating to the reorganisation of cabinet governance structures that are required...
“(1) The Secretary of State has a duty to ensure that relevant authorities are provided with the resources and support necessary in order to carry out any functions conferred on, or...
“(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations introduce a proportional representation vote system in elections of local authority councillors. (2) The regulations in subsection (1) are...
“(1) The Secretary of State must make regulations which require a strategic authority to provide training for councillors following the designation, creation, or merger of any class of...
“(1) When considering whether or how to exercise any of its functions, a combined authority or mayoral CCA must have regard to the need to increase the provision of allotments and nature...
“(1) When exercising their functions, a strategic authority, mayor, or local authority must contribute to— (a) meeting the targets and carbon budgets set under Part 1 of the Climate...
“(1) A community interest group or a parish council may apply to a local authority to purchase land to which this section applies. (2) This section applies to land that is a sporting asset...
“(1) The Secretary of State may only make an order or regulations to create, change, or dissolve a strategic authority with the consent of all the constituent councils. (2) The...
“(1) The Local Government Finance Act 1992 is amended as follows. (2) In section 52ZC, after subsection (4) insert— ‘(4A) Where, for the purposes of this section, the Secretary...
“Where an authority is in charge of a housing development, the authority is under a duty to build out the land without unreasonable delay.”— This new clause mandates that where...
“(1) The Localism Act 2011 is amended in accordance with this section. (2) In Clause 32(1)(b), after ‘intimidation’ insert— “; or the interest is a home address,...
“(1) The Planning Act 2008 is amended as follows. (2) In section 205 (The Levy) after subsection (2) insert— ‘(2A) In making the regulations, the Secretary of State may not...
“(1) Within six months of this Bill receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must establish a body to be known as the Public Engagement Commission. (2) The purposes of the Public...
“(1) A strategic authority has a duty to prepare and publish a Community Wealth Building Action Plan (‘a plan’). (2) The purposes of a plan are to facilitate and support...
“(1) LURA 2023 is amended in as follows. (2) In Section 84, in subsection (2)(b), after “planning and development” insert “including in relation to economic conditions,...
“(1) After section 17B of LURA 2023 (inserted by section 21 of this Act) insert— ‘17C Mayoral duty to convene meetings with local public service providers and government (1) The...
“(1) The Secretary of State has a duty to provide appropriate professional planning support to town and parish councils in accordance with this section. (2) Support provided under...
“(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for the establishment of a regional governance body in any part of England, where in the opinion of the Secretary of State there is...
“(1) Within one year beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the establishment of a public accounts committee in each...
“(1) The Secretary of State must, within two years beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, prepare and publish a forward devolution strategy (‘the strategy’). (2) The...
“(1) The Greater London Authority Act 1999 is amended in accordance with this section. (2) In section 42B (Assembly’s power to reject draft strategies), in subsection (5)(b), leave...
“(1) A mayor for the area of a combined authority, combined county authority, or other mayoral strategic authority may exercise functions relating to ferry services operating wholly within...
“(1) The Secretary of State must make regulations which establish a community ownership fund within six months of the passage of this Act. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) are subject...
“(1) Section 1 of the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022 is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (7), after ‘relevant authority’ insert ‘and, where the specified area...
I beg to move amendment 243, in clause 72, page 73, line 15, at end insert— “‘FRSA 2004’ means the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004;”. This would define the...
Amendment made: 244, in clause 73, page 74, line 27, leave out from “which” to end of line 29 and insert “is to continue to apply instead of the primary legislation by virtue of...
Amendment made: 245, in clause 78, page 76, leave out lines 11 and 12 and insert— “(c) any other provision of this Act comes into force (including provision modifying other...
Committee membership and attendance (out of 12)
Chairpersons
Members
[ Committee memberships can change partway through ]
