Moved by
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara
132: After Schedule 3, insert the following new Schedule—
“UK SHARED PROSPERITY COMMISSION
1_(1) A body corporate called the UK Shared Prosperity Commission is established.
(2) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission is not to be regarded—
(a) as the servant or agent of the Crown, or
(b) as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.
(3) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission’s property is not to be regarded—
(a) as the property of the Crown, or
(b) as property held on behalf of the Crown.
Membership
2_(1) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission is to consist of—
(a) a Chair and five members appointed by the Secretary of State,
(b) a member appointed by the Scottish Ministers,
(c) a member appointed by the Welsh Ministers,
(d) a member appointed by the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.
(2) Before appointing a chair and member under sub-paragraph (2)(1)(a) the Secretary of State must consult the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers, and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.
(3) Before a chair can be appointed under sub-paragraph (2)(1)(a), the appointment must be confirmed by the Treasury Select Committee or a committee of either House whose remit covers the Treasury.
Funding
3__ The Treasury must pay to the UK Shared Prosperity Commission such sums as the Her Majesty’s Government considers appropriate for the purpose of enabling the UK Shared Prosperity Commission to perform its functions.
Powers
4_(1) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission may distribute sums from the Treasury across the four nations and regions of the United Kingdom following an assessment of relative need.
(2) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission may conduct an assessment of relative need across the four nations and regions of the United Kingdom.
(3) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission may do anything which appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of, or in connection with, the performance of its duties in sub-paragraphs 5(1) and 5(2).
Accounts and audit
5__ The UK Shared Prosperity Commission must—
(a) keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to them, and
(b) prepare a statement of accounts in respect of each financial year.
Annual report
6_(1) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission must prepare a report on the performance of its functions during each financial year.
(2) The report must include the statement of accounts in respect of that year.
(3) The report must be prepared as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the financial year to which it relates.
(4) The UK Shared Prosperity Commission must send the report to the Secretary of State.
(5) The Secretary of State must lay the report before Parliament.
Public records
7__ In subparagraph 2 of the Table in paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (definition of public records), at the appropriate place insert—
“UK Shared Prosperity Commission.”
Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner
8__ In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments subject to investigation), at the appropriate place insert—
“UK Shared Prosperity Commission.”
House of Commons disqualification
9__ In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (bodies of which all members are disqualified), at the appropriate place insert “UK Shared Prosperity Commission.”
Northern Ireland Assembly disqualification
10__ In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (bodies of which all members are disqualified), at the appropriate place insert—
“UK Shared Prosperity Commission”
Freedom of information
11__ In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (other public bodies and offices: general), at the appropriate place insert—
“UK Shared Prosperity Commission.”
Public sector equality duty
12__ In Part 1 of Schedule 19 to the Equality Act 2010 (public authorities: general), in the group of entries under the heading “Industry, business, finance etc”, at the appropriate place insert—
“UK Shared Prosperity Commission.””