Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [HL]

Amendment 169 169: After Clause 134, insert the following new Clause— "Central-local partnership (1) The Secretary of State shall convene an annual meeting with representatives of central and local government ("the central-local partnership") for the purpose of reaching an agreement to comply with— (a) a framework of principles for how central and local government work together to serve the public, (b) common priorities and a shared programme of objectives for giving effect to these principles, and (c) such partnership arrangements as are necessary to give effect to the relationship. (2) The Secretary of State shall take such steps as are required to ensure the attendance at the annual meeting of representatives of government departments with responsibilities for partner authorities subject to the duty to cooperate under section of the 104 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28) (application of chapter: partner authorities). (3) For the purposes of this section, "representatives of local government" will be any body of which formal notice has been given to the Secretary of State as having authority to enter into agreement on behalf of local authorities in England. (4) In reaching agreement under subsection (1), the Secretary of State and representatives of local government shall consult representatives of such persons as appear to have an interest in the promotion of well-being in local authority areas, including representatives of the voluntary sector. (5) The Secretary of State shall make an annual report to Parliament on the operation of the central-local partnership."