Regional Development Agencies Act 1998

25 Power to alter regions

(1) The Secretary of State may by order make alterations in the extent of the regions in Schedule 1.

(2) The alterations that may be made by an order under this section do not include alterations that result in a reduction or increase in the number of regions in that Schedule.

(3) Where the Secretary of State proposes to make an order under this section, he shall take such steps as he considers sufficient to secure that members of the public who may be interested in the proposed order are informed of it and of the period within which they may make representations to him about it.

(4) Before making an order under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) every regional development agency affected by the proposed order,

(b) every local authority whose area includes the whole or any part of an area to which the proposed order relates, and

(c) such other persons as he thinks fit,

and have regard to any representations made to him within the period for making representations about the proposed order.

(5) The Secretary of State may cause a local inquiry to be held in connection with the making of an order under this section; and subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (which relate to the giving of evidence at, and defraying the cost of, local inquiries) shall apply in relation to any inquiry held under this subsection as they apply in relation to an inquiry which a Minister causes to be held under subsection (1) of that section.

(6) An order under this section may make such supplementary or transitional provision as the Secretary of State thinks fit including—

(a) provision as to the membership of a regional development agency,

(b) provision for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities,

(c) provision for the transfer of staff, and

(d) provision as to pending legal proceedings.

(7) The power to make an order under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

(8) No order shall be made under this section unless a draft of it has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

(9) An order under this section which would, apart from this subsection, be treated for the purposes of the standing orders of either House of Parliament as a hybrid instrument shall proceed in that House as if it were not such an instrument.