Regional Development Agencies Act 1998
1998 c. 45
An Act to make provision for regional development agencies in England; to make provision about the Development Commission and the Urban Regeneration Agency; and for connected purposes.
[19th November 1998]
Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Part I Regional development agencies
 Development agencies
 Establishment.
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Constitution.
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Status.
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Activities
 Purposes.
4 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Powers.
5 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Delegation of functions by Ministers.
6 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delegation of functions to the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.
6A 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Regional strategy
7 
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The London Development Agency strategy.
7A 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Secretary of State’s functions in relation to the London Development Agency strategy.
7B 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Regional consultation.
8 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Financial arrangements
 General financial duties.
9 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Government grants.
10 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Borrowing.
11 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Government guarantees of an agency’s borrowing.
12 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Government loans.
13 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Accounts and records.
14 

(1) A regional development agency shall—
(a) keep proper accounts and proper accounting records, and
(b) prepare in respect of each accounting period a statement of accounts giving a true and fair view of the state of affairs and the income and expenditure of the agency.
(2) Every statement of accounts prepared under subsection (1) shall comply with any requirement which the Secretary of State has, with the consent of the Treasury, notified in writing to the agency and which relates to any of the following matters, namely—
(a) the information to be contained in the statement,
(b) the manner in which that information is to be presented, or
(c) the methods and principles according to which the statement is to be prepared.
(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), “accounting period”, in relation to a regional development agency, means a period beginning with 1st April and ending with the next 31st March.
(4) The Secretary of State may, in relation to an accounting period of a regional development agency, direct that the period shall end with such date other than the next 31st March as may be specified in the direction.
(5) Where the Secretary of State has given a direction under subsection (4), the following accounting period of the agency to which the direction was given shall begin with the day after the date specified in the direction and, subject to any further direction under subsection (4), shall end with the next 31st March.
(6) In this section, “accounting records”, in relation to a regional development agency, includes all books, papers and other records of the agency relating to, or to matters dealt with in, the accounts required to be kept by this section.
(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Audit.
15 

(1) The accounts of a regional development agency for each accounting period shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
(2) A copy of—
(a) any accounts of a regional development agency which are audited under subsection (1), and
(b) the report made on those accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General,
shall be sent to the Secretary of State as soon as reasonably practicable after the report is received by the agency; and the Secretary of State shall lay before each House of Parliament a copy of those accounts and that report.
(3) In this section—
 “accounting period” and “accounting records” have the same meanings as in section 14; and
 references to accounts, in relation to a regional development agency, include any statement prepared by it under that section.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Information, reports and accountability
 Provision of information etc. to the Secretary of State.
16 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Annual report.
17 

(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each accounting period, a regional development agency shall prepare a report on its activities during that period and shall send a copy of that report to the Secretary of State.
(2) A report under this section shall—
(a) be in such form and contain such information as the Secretary of State may specify by directions to the agency, and
(b) set out any other directions given to the agency under this Part during the period to which the report relates.
(3) Following receipt of a report under this section, the Secretary of State shall lay a copy of it before each House of Parliament and arrange for copies of it to be published in such manner as he considers appropriate.
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8) In this section, “accounting period” has the same meaning as in section 14.
 Regional accountability.
18 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Vesting and acquisition of land
 Vesting of land by order.
19 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Acquisition of land.
20 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Rights of entry.
21 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Offences in relation to rights of entry.
22 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Supplementary provisions.
23 
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 Miscellaneous and supplementary
 Connection of private streets to highway.
24 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Power to alter regions.
25 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Change of name of agency.
26 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power to promote or oppose Bills in Parliament.
26A 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 General power to give guidance and directions.
27 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Guidance: supplementary.
28 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Consents of Secretary of State.
29 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Validity of transactions.
30 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Application of guidance, consent etc. provisions to the Mayor of London.
30A 
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 Notices.
31 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Minor amendments.
32 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Interpretation of Part I.
33 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part II Existing bodies
 The Development Commission
 Transfer of property, rights and liabilities to agencies.
34 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Powers in relation to the Commission.
35 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 ...
 Transfer of property, rights and liabilities to agencies.
36 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Powers in relation to the Agency.
37 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part III General
 Corporation tax.
38 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Stamp duty.
39 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stamp duty land tax
39A. 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Directions: supplementary.
40 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 General interpretation.
41 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Expenses.
42 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Commencement.
43 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Extent.
44 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Short title.
45 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 SCHEDULES

          SCHEDULE 1
 Regions
Section 1.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


          SCHEDULE 2
 Constitution of agencies
Section 2.
 Membership
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Chairman and deputy chairman
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Remuneration, pensions, et ceteralaetc.
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Application of paragraph 3 in relation to the London Development Agency
3A 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Staff
4 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Proceedings
6 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Delegation of functions
7 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Members’ interests
8 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Vacancies and defective appointments
9 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Minutes
10 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Execution and proof of instruments
11 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          SCHEDULE 3
 Delegation of Ministerial functions: transfer schemes
Section 6.
 Power to make scheme
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Contents of scheme
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4 
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5 
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6 
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7 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Effect of scheme
8 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Effect of transfer by scheme of contracts of employment
9 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Modification of scheme
11 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Provision of information
12 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Interpretation
13 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          SCHEDULE 4
 Vesting of land: modifications of enactments
Section 19.
 Land Compensation Act 1961 (c. 33)
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 
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3 
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4 
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5 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 (c. 66)
6 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8 
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9 
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          SCHEDULE 5
 Acquisition of land
Section 20.
Part I Modifications of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Part II Acquisition of rights
3 
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4 
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5 
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          SCHEDULE 6
 Vesting and acquisition of land: supplementary provisions
Section 23.
 Extinguishment of rights over land
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Power to override easements
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Consecrated land and burial grounds
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Open spaces
4 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Displacement of persons
5 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Extinguishment of public rights of way
6 
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7 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Telegraphic lines
8 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Statutory undertakers
9 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 
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11 
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12 
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13 
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14 
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15 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Interpretation
16 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 6A
 Promotion of Bills in Parliament by the London Development Agency
Preliminary requirements
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consultation on draft Bill
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publicity for, and exposure of, the draft Bill
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deposition of the Bill in Parliament
4 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bills affecting statutory functions of London local authorities
5 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publicity for the deposited Bill
6 
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          SCHEDULE 7
 Minor amendments
Section 32.
 Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 (c. 39)
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
4 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)
5 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          SCHEDULE 8
 The Development Commission: transfer schemes
Section 34.
 Definitions
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Making and approval of transfer scheme
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Contents of scheme
4 
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5 
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6 
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7 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Effect of scheme
8 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Effect of transfer by scheme of contracts of employment
9 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Modification of scheme
10 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Provision of information to Secretary of State
11 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

          SCHEDULE 9
 The Urban Regeneration Agency: transfer schemes
Section 36.
 Definitions
1 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Making and approval of transfer scheme
2 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Contents of scheme
4 
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5 
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6 
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7 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Effect of scheme
8 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Effect of transfer by scheme of contracts of employment
9 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Modification of scheme
10 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Provision of information to Secretary of State
11 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .