Explanatory note

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23) (“the 2026 Act”) amends the arrangements for the issuing of precepts by mayoral combined authorities and mayoral combined county authorities. Section 12 of the 2026 Act removes the restriction under which precepts may be issued only in respect of mayoral functions.

These Regulations make amendments to secondary legislation consequential on those changes.

Regulation 2 amends the Combined Authorities (Finance) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/611), which makes provision about the issuing of precepts, budget-setting and related financial arrangements for mayoral combined authorities and mayoral combined county authorities. The amendments reflect the extension of the precepting arrangements from mayoral functions to the functions of the authority more generally.

Regulation 3 amends the West of England Combined Authority Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/126) by removing the restriction in article 6(6) of that Order on the issuing of a precept by the West of England Combined Authority.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no significant impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen. An impact assessment has been produced in relation to the 2026 Act and is available at https://bills.parliament.uk/publications/63710/documents/7405 or from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.