Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

Before the noble Baroness replies, I would like to comment on one aspect of this. I would also like to say how glad I am to see her again and how glad I was on Friday night to hear her sounding as though she was well enough to enjoy herself very considerably. I do not know whether that was the case, but it was certainly how it sounded on the radio. The clause extends to economic prosperity boards. When we come to the part of the Bill that allows for their creation and that of combined authorities, which, as far as we can understand, are economic prosperity boards plus integrated transport authorities, we will discuss their role and whether this is a slide towards taking functions away from local authorities as we know them now, and putting them into the new boards. I see that as part of a central government agenda to create larger authorities. That would certainly be a threat—I know that that is a heavy word, but I use it nevertheless—to the districts. To have what the Minister described as a heavy and significant procedure would be entirely right because it would be part of considering how these boards will function. The Minister will realise that we have the possibility of praying against an order and I suspect that we will keep an eye on that, notwithstanding her assurances about the consultation that would precede any order.