Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

I thank my noble friend for his intervention, which neatly brings me on to Clause 209. That clause requires that only members of local authorities and other specified bodies with waste functions can be members of a joint waste authority. The ability to establish joint waste authorities will provide authorities with another option for partnership working, one that they have requested. I support my noble friend’s point about democratic accountability. These authorities will be part of local democratic accountability. Where an area is lagging behind, I hope that it will look across the border and learn from the experience of others. I hope that the noble Baroness will withdraw her opposition to Clause 206 standing part of the Bill.