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Greater London Authority Bill

Picking up that last exchange, I share the noble Baroness’s concern. Section 2D says that, "““the function of agreeing a planning obligation””," becomes, "““a function of the Mayor””." New Section 2D(4) requires the Mayor to, "““consult the local planning authority””." The obligation to consult suggests that he has to do no more than consult. I do not suggest that he should not listen to the local planning authority or not be required to have proper regard to what the local planning authority has to say, but the decision is clearly the Mayor’s. It is a little rough on the local planning authority that the new section ends with the obligation being, "““enforceable by the local planning authority””," as the local planning authority may be stuck with enforcing something that it has not wanted in the first place.