Local Government Act, 1991

Power of Minister to alter boundary by order.

31.—(1) (a) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Minister may, on application being made to him in that behalf by a proposer under section 29 (5), by order alter the boundary of any county, county or other borough, urban district or town to which the application relates if he considers that an alteration ought to be made in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

(b) An order under this subsection may alter the boundary concerned otherwise than in accordance with the terms of the proposal or the amended proposal (as the case may be) the subject of the application.

(2) (a) In any case where a respondent in its statement of response to the proposal, the subject of the application, has disagreed in a material respect with the terms thereof, the Minister shall, unless he considers it inappropriate to do so, or, in any other case, may, request a boundary committee to prepare a report under section 33 with respect to the boundary of the local authority concerned.

(b) The Minister shall have regard to the report of the boundary committee in deciding whether to make an order under subsection (1) in respect of the boundary concerned.

(3) (a) The Minister may, subject to paragraph (b), by order alter the boundary of any county, county or other borough, committee district, urban district or town where he considers such an alteration ought to be made in the interests of effective and convenient local government.

(b) Before deciding whether to make such an order as aforesaid, the Minister shall request a boundary committee to prepare a report under section 33 with respect to the boundary of the local authority concerned and the Minister shall have regard to the report in deciding whether to make the order.