Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003

42 Dealing with noise at night

(1) The Noise Act 1996 (c. 37) is amended as follows.

(2) For section 1 (sections 2 to 9 only apply to area of local authority if authority have so resolved or an order by Secretary of State so provides) substitute—

“1 Application of sections 2 to 9

Sections 2 to 9 apply to the area of every local authority in England and Wales.”

(3) For section 2(1) (local authority under duty to investigate complaint of noise from dwelling at night) substitute—

“(1) A local authority in England and Wales may, if they receive a complaint of the kind mentioned in subsection (2), arrange for an officer of the authority to take reasonable steps to investigate the complaint.”

(4) In section 2(7) (power of local authority to act in relation to dwelling within area of other authority) omit the words from “and accordingly” to the end.

(5) In section 9 (section 8: supplementary), for subsection (4) substitute—

“(4) A local authority may use any sums it receives under section 8 (its “penalty receipts”) only for the purposes of functions of its that are qualifying functions.

(4A) The following are qualifying functions for the purposes of this section—

(a) functions under this Act, and

(b) functions of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(4B) Regulations under subsection (4A)(b) may (in particular) have the effect that a local authority may use its penalty receipts for the purposes of any of its functions.

(4C) A local authority must supply the Secretary of State with such information relating to the use of its penalty receipts as the Secretary of State may require.

(4D) The Secretary of State may by regulations—

(a) make provision for what a local authority is to do with its penalty receipts—

(i) pending their being used for the purposes of qualifying functions of the authority;

(ii) if they are not so used before such time after their receipt as may be specified by the regulations;

(b) make provision for accounting arrangements in respect of a local authority’s penalty receipts.

(4E) The provision that may be made under subsection (4D)(a)(ii) includes (in particular) provision for the payment of sums to a person (including the Secretary of State) other than the local authority.

(4F) Before making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult—

(a) the local authorities to which the regulations are to apply, and

(b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.”

(6) In section 11 (interpretation and subordinate legislation), in subsection (3) after “order”, in the first place where it occurs, insert “or regulations”.

(7) The reference to the Noise Act 1996 (c. 37) in Schedule 1 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672) is to be treated as referring to that Act as amended by this section.