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Bill · started in the Commons

Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill

A Bill to make further provision about the functions, powers and constitution of local authority overview and scrutiny committees; and for connected purposes.

In progress Current stage: Report stage (Commons)

The story so farThe Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 16 December 2009 by Mr David Chaytor (Labour). It is now at report stage in the House of Commons. Report stage gives the whole chamber a chance to make further amendments before the final third reading vote.

What the bill does

<p>The Bill aims to strengthen and broaden the powers of local government overview and scrutiny committees. It is based on proposals in the 2009 Communities and Local Government Green Paper 'Strengthening Local Democracy'.</p><p><strong>Key areas</strong></p><ul><li>gives scrutiny committees powers over a wider range of external bodies than at present (the external bodies will be designated by regulation)</li><li>provides for these powers to be used in scrutiny of activities carried out by these external bodies that relate to matters of local concern in the provision of public services</li><li>makes provision for executive council members to be able to sit on scrutiny committees when they are concerned with scrutiny of external bodies</li><li>makes provision to ensure that scrutiny officers are allocated such resources as they believe they require to carry out their role effectively</li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

  1. 1st reading Commons 16 Dec 2009
  2. 2nd reading Commons 5 Feb 2010
  3. Money resolution Commons 1 Mar 2010
  4. Committee stage Commons 3 Mar 2010
  5. Report stage Commons 12 Mar 2010

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 26 Oct 2010.