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Local Government: Meetings

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 29 June 2026UIN 11661

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance has been given to local authorities on the requirements of (a) combined authority and (b) council executive mayors to appear before (i) combined authority and (ii) council scrutiny committees.

Answered by Alison McGovern

The relevant statutory framework for combined authorities is set out in the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees) Order 2017, which provides that a combined authority overview and scrutiny committee may require the mayor, and other members or officers, to attend before it to answer questions.

For local authorities operating executive arrangements, including those with council executive mayors, the framework is set out in the Local Government Act 2000 and supporting regulations, including the Overview and Scrutiny Committees (England) Regulations 2012. These provide scrutiny committees with powers to require members of the executive, including mayors, to attend and answer questions, and to require information.

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