(1)It shall be the function of a Rural Development Board—
(a)to keep under review all means of meeting the problems and needs described in the last foregoing section in their area,
(b)in consultation with such local authorities and other bodies as appear to the Board to have an interest, to draw up a programme for action to meet those problems and needs and, so far as the programme will entail expenditure by the Board, to submit to the appropriate Minister for his approval proposals for that expenditure,
(c)to concert, promote, assist or undertake measures to implement the programme subject, so far as those measures involve expenditure by the Board, to approval by the appropriate Minister.
(2)The appropriate Minister may approve in whole or in part any proposals submitted to him under subsection (1)(b) above, or may refuse to approve them.
(3)It shall be the duty of a Rural Development Board and of [F1the appropriate forestry authority] to co-ordinate the preparation and implementation of their proposals and programmes for the Board’s area, and for that purpose to consult together at all stages and, where necessary, to act in concert.
Any dispute between them shall be referred to and determined by the appropriate Minister, and, in relation to Wales, “the appropriate Minister” in this subsection has the meaning given by subsection (10) of the last foregoing section.
(4)In the discharge of their functions a Rural Development Board may—
(a)acquire by agreement any land in their area,
(b)manage, improve, farm, sell, let or otherwise deal with any of their land, and may in particular sell or let any land subject to any depreciatory conditions imposed in the interests of the community or for any purpose connected with the discharge of their functions,
(c)acquire by agreement any farming business or any dead or live farm stock,
(d)build on and otherwise develop any of their land, and in particular provide dwellings for their tenants and employees,
(e)provide equipment and services for persons who are their tenants and who are engaged or employed in agriculture or forestry,
(f)carry out or commission the carrying out of inquiries, investigations or researches in connection with the discharge of their functions.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 46(3) substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (No. 755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 82 (with Sch. 7)