Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

I will not get into that issue, with respect, because we have had some long debates both in regard to the Bill and the subsequent orders. I assure the Committee that while the Bill allows local authorities the option of inviting non-local authority members onto the EPB, for example, there are no appointments by the Secretary of State and the majority of the members must be elected members from constituent authorities. That is where democratic accountability lies. Non-local authority members must also be non-voting unless the voting members decide otherwise. Local authority members are in the driving seat here. I know that noble Lords are concerned that we are providing for powers to be passed to EPBs from local authorities but not from the Secretary of State and that we have not provided any specific powers in the Bill for any powers of the Secretary of State to be passed to EPBs, but that does not mean that we are not serious about devolution to the sub-regional level. My noble friend Lord Smith asked for teeth. Why do we need the legal personality? Why do we need the ability for this body to be able to direct investment, to apply for investment and to act as a delivery partner which can work with delivery partners such as the Homes and Communities Agency? EPBs will enable the devolution of more and greater powers. They will provide a genuinely robust partner at sub-regional level—not a collection of local authorities and partners such as the MAA represents, but a delivery partner which will be able to receive and use powers in an accountable way. They will be able to establish direct and strong relationships with national and regional agencies, such as the proposed new Skills Funding Agency and the HCA, to ensure that these bodies are making the right investments for their areas. As they will be acting as strategic partners and focused on economic development, they will be capable of driving investment, identifying business opportunities and following them through, and developing labour markets and regeneration. That is why they must be built to last and why they are a long-term strategy.