Other functionsE+W
82Studies as to economy, efficiency etcE+W
(1)The CSCI has the function of promoting or undertaking comparative or other studies designed to enable it to make recommendations—
(a)for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the discharge by local authorities in England of their social services functions;
(b)for improving the management of such local authorities in their discharge of those functions.
(2)The CSCI may also promote or undertake studies designed to enable it to prepare reports as to the impact of—
(a)the operation of any particular statutory provisions, or
(b)any directions or guidance given by a Minister of the Crown (whether pursuant to any such provision or otherwise),
on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the discharge by local authorities in England of their social services functions.
(3)For the purposes of this section the CSCI may carry out an inspection of any local authority in England.
(4)The CSCI must publish—
(a)any recommendations made by it under subsection (1);
(b)the result of any studies under this section.
(5)The Secretary of State may, after consulting the CSCI, by regulations make provision as to the procedure to be followed in respect of the making of representations to the CSCI before the publication of any recommendations or the result of any studies under this section.
(6)The CSCI must, on request, provide the Comptroller and Auditor General with any material relevant to a study under this section.
83Joint working with Audit CommissionE+W
(1)The CSCI and the Audit Commission may (without prejudice to any other power they may have to do so) exercise jointly their respective functions under section 82 above and sections 33 and 34 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 (c. 18).
(2)The CSCI and the Audit Commission must co-operate with each other with respect to the exercise of their respective functions under section 82 above and sections 33 and 34 of the Audit Commission Act 1998.
(3)The Secretary of State may give guidance to the CSCI and the Audit Commission as to which of them should promote or undertake studies which could be promoted or undertaken by either of them.
(4)The CSCI and the Audit Commission must take any such guidance into account in the exercise of their functions.
84Additional functionsE+W
The CSCI is to have such additional functions as may be prescribed in relation to the provision of English local authority social services.