Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether it is Government policy that legislation establishing a new Combined Authority should include the power of that Authority to assume additional responsibilities such as adult social care if all members of that Combined Authority agree.

It is for local authorities to develop their proposals for establishing a new combined authority – including the geographic area and the functions they wish the combined authority to have. The Secretary of State will consider any such proposals against the statutory requirements, and if he is minded to establish the combined authority, he will seek Parliament’s approval to make the necessary legislation.