National Health Service Act 2006

Part 12 E+W Public involvement and scrutiny

Chapter 1 E+W Patients' Forums

237 Establishment of Patients' Forums E+W

F1 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2 (9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 237(1)(2) repealed (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 231(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3), Sch.

F2 S. 237(3)-(9) repealed (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 230(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3), Sch.

F3 238 Additional functions of PCT Patients' Forums E+W

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

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 238 repealed (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 230(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3), Sch.

F4 239 Entry and inspection of premises E+W

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

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 239 repealed (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 230(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3), Sch.

F5 240 Annual reports E+W

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

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 240 repealed (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 231(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3), Sch.

241 Further provision about Patients' Forums E+W

F6 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) The regulations may include provision applying, or corresponding to, any provision of Part 5A of the Local Government Act 1972 (c 70) (access to meetings and documents), with or without modifications.

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 241(1)(2) repealed (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 231(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3), Sch.

F7 S. 241(3)(4) repealed (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 230(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3), Sch.

Chapter 2 E+W Public involvement and consultation

242 Public involvement and consultation E+W

[F8 (1) This section applies to—

(a) relevant English bodies, and

(b) relevant Welsh bodies.

(1A) In this section—

• “ relevant English body ” means—

  (a)

  a Strategic Health Authority,

  (b)

  a Primary Care Trust,

  (c)

  an NHS trust that is not a relevant Welsh body, or

  (d)

  an NHS foundation trust;

• “ relevant Welsh body ” means an NHS trust all or most of whose hospitals, establishments and facilities are in Wales.

(1B) Each relevant English body must make arrangements, as respects health services for which it is responsible, which secure that users of those services, whether directly or through representatives, are involved (whether by being consulted or provided with information, or in other ways) in—

(a) the planning of the provision of those services,

(b) the development and consideration of proposals for changes in the way those services are provided, and

(c) decisions to be made by that body affecting the operation of those services.

(1C) Subsection (1B)(b) applies to a proposal only if implementation of the proposal would have an impact on—

(a) the manner in which the services are delivered to users of those services, or

(b) the range of health services available to those users.

(1D) Subsection (1B)(c) applies to a decision only if implementation of the decision (if made) would have an impact on—

(a) the manner in which the services are delivered to users of those services, or

(b) the range of health services available to those users.

(1E) The reference in each of subsections (1C)(a) and (1D)(a) to the delivery of services is to their delivery at the point when they are received by users.

(1F) For the purposes of subsections (1B) to (1E), a person is a “user” of any health services if the person is someone to whom those services are being or may be provided.

(1G) A relevant English body must have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State as to the discharge of the body's duty under subsection (1B).

(1H) The guidance mentioned in subsection (1G) includes (in particular)—

(a) guidance given by the Secretary of State as to when, or how often, involvement under arrangements under subsection (1B) is to be carried out;

(b) guidance given by the Secretary of State as to the form to be taken by such involvement in any case specified by the guidance.]

(2) Each [F9 relevant Welsh body] must make arrangements with a view to securing, as respects health services for which it is responsible, that persons to whom those services are being or may be provided are, directly or through representatives, involved in and consulted on—

(a) the planning of the provision of those services,

(b) the development and consideration of proposals for changes in the way those services are provided, and

(c) decisions to be made by that body affecting the operation of those services.

(3) For the purposes of this section a body is responsible for health services—

(a) if the body provides or will provide those services to individuals, or

(b) if another person provides, or will provide, those services to individuals—

(i) at that body's direction,

(ii) on its behalf, or

(iii) in accordance with an agreement or arrangements made by that body with that other person,

and references in this section to the provision of services include references to the provision of services jointly with another person.

(4) Subsection (5) applies to health services for which a Strategic Health Authority is not responsible by virtue of subsection (3), but which are or will be provided to individuals in the area of the Strategic Health Authority, and for which—

(a) a Primary Care Trust any part of whose area falls within the Strategic Health Authority's area, or

(b) an NHS trust which provides services at or from a hospital or other establishment or facility which falls within the Strategic Health Authority's area,

is responsible by virtue of subsection (3).

(5) A Strategic Health Authority may give directions to Primary Care Trusts falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (4), and NHS trusts falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection, as to the arrangements which they are to make under [F10 this section] in relation to health services to which this subsection applies.

[F11 (6) This section does not require a body to make arrangements in relation to matters to which a trust special administrator's report or draft report under section 65F, 65I, 65R or 65U relates before the decision of the Secretary of State under section 65K or 65W has been published.]

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 242(1)-(1H) substituted for s. 242(1) (3.11.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 233(2), 245(5); S.I. 2008/2434, art. 2(2)(a)

F9 Words in s. 242(2) substituted (3.11.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 233(3), 245(5); S.I. 2008/2434, art. 2(2)(a)

F10 Words in s. 242(5) substituted (3.11.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 233(4), 245(5); S.I. 2008/2434, art. 2(2)(a)

F11 S. 242(6) inserted (15.2.2010) by Health Act 2009 (c. 21), ss. 18(7), 40(1); S.I. 2010/30, art. 3(b)

[F12 242A Strategic Health Authorities: further duty to involve users E+W

(1) The Secretary of State must by regulations require each Strategic Health Authority to make arrangements which secure that health service users are, directly or through representatives, involved (whether by being consulted or provided with information, or in other ways) in prescribed matters.

(2) In this section “ health service users ” means persons to whom health services are being or may be provided in the area of the Strategic Health Authority.

(3) A Strategic Health Authority must have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State as to the discharge of the authority's duty under regulations under this section.

(4) The guidance mentioned in subsection (3) includes (in particular)—

(a) guidance given by the Secretary of State as to when, or how often, involvement under arrangements under the regulations is to be carried out;

(b) guidance given by the Secretary of State as to the form to be taken by such involvement in any case specified by the guidance.

(5) Any duty of a Strategic Health Authority under regulations under this section is in addition to the authority's duty under section 242(1B).

Textual Amendments

F12 Ss. 242A, 242B inserted (26.9.2008 for specified purposes, 3.11.2008 for the purpose of the insertion of s. 242B in so far as not already in force, 22.2.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 233(5), 245(5); S.I. 2008/2434, art. 2(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2010/112, art. 3

242B Directions in cases where Strategic Health Authority arranges involvement E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations enabling a Strategic Health Authority, in circumstances mentioned in subsection (2), to direct a Primary Care Trust that persons who would otherwise be involved in a particular matter under arrangements made by the Primary Care Trust under section 242 are not to be involved in that matter under those arrangements.

(2) The circumstances referred to in subsection (1) are where the persons concerned are to be involved (whether by the Strategic Health Authority, by the Strategic Health Authority and the Primary Care Trust acting jointly, or otherwise) under arrangements made or to be made by the Strategic Health Authority.

(3) Regulations under this section may include provision—

(a) for the consequences of compliance with a direction, including provision that a Primary Care Trust is not to be taken to have failed to comply with its duty under section 242(1B) by reason of compliance with a direction,

(b) enabling a direction to be given where involvement under arrangements made by the Primary Care Trust has already begun, and as to the provision that may be made by the direction in such a case,

(c) requiring prescribed information to be provided by a Primary Care Trust to a Strategic Health Authority,

(d) requiring prescribed information to be provided by a Strategic Health Authority to a Primary Care Trust,

(e) enabling a Strategic Health Authority to direct a Primary Care Trust to act jointly with the Strategic Health Authority in carrying out involvement.]

Textual Amendments

F12 Ss. 242A, 242B inserted (26.9.2008 for specified purposes, 3.11.2008 for the purpose of the insertion of s. 242B in so far as not already in force, 22.2.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 233(5), 245(5); S.I. 2008/2434, art. 2(1)(2)(b); S.I. 2010/112, art. 3

F13 243 The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health E+W

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

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 243 repealed (1.4.2008 for the purpose of the omission of s. 243(2)(d)(f)(i), 30.6.2008 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 232(1), 245(5), Sch. 18 Pt. 18; S.I. 2008/461, art. 2(3)(4)(a), Sch.

Chapter 3 E+W [F14 Overview and Scrutiny Committees][F14 Review and scrutiny by local authorities]

Textual Amendments

F14 Pt. 12 Ch. 3 heading substituted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(8), 306(1)(d)(4)

244 [F15 Functions of overview and scrutiny committees][F15 Review and scrutiny by local authorities] E+W

(1) This section applies to any local authority, except that it applies to the council of a district only where the district is comprised in an area for which there is no county council.

(2) Regulations may, in relation to [F16 an overview and scrutiny committee of] an authority to which this section applies, make provision—

(a) as to matters relating to the health service in the authority's area which [F17 the committee][F17 the authority] may review and scrutinise,

(b) as to matters relating to the health service in the authority's area on which [F17 the committee][F17 the authority] may make reports and recommendations to [F18 local NHS bodies][F18 relevant NHS bodies or relevant health service providers], the Secretary of State or the regulator,

(c) as to matters on which [F18 local NHS bodies][F18 relevant NHS bodies or relevant health service providers] must consult [F17 the committee][F17 the authority] in accordance with the regulations [F19 (including provision as to circumstances in which the Secretary of State or the regulator may require consultation on those matters in accordance with the regulations)],

(d) as to information which [F18 local NHS bodies][F18 relevant NHS bodies or relevant health service providers] must provide to [F17 the committee][F17 the authority],

(e) as to information which may not be disclosed by a [F20 local NHS body][F20 relevant NHS body or relevant health service provider] to [F17 the committee][F17 the authority],

(f) requiring [F21 any officer of a local NHS body][F21 any member or employee of a relevant NHS body, or a relevant health service provider or member or employee of a relevant health service provider,] to attend before [F17 the committee][F17 the authority] to answer questions.

[F22 (2ZA) If (by virtue of subsection (2)(c)) regulations make provision as to matters on which relevant NHS bodies or relevant health service providers must consult the authority, the regulations may also make provision—

(a) as to circumstances in which the authority may refer any of those matters to the Secretary of State, the regulator or the Board;

(b) conferring powers on the Secretary of State to give directions to the Board in relation to a matter referred to the Secretary of State by virtue of regulations under paragraph (a);

(c) conferring powers on the Board to give directions to a clinical commissioning group in relation to a matter so referred;

(d) conferring powers on the Board to give directions to a clinical commissioning group in relation to a matter referred to the Board by virtue of regulations under paragraph (a);

(e) conferring powers on the Secretary of State to give directions to the Board as to the exercise of its powers by virtue of regulations under paragraph (c) or (d).

(2ZB) The powers that may be conferred under any of paragraphs (b) to (d) of subsection (2ZA) include powers to require the person to whom the direction is given—

(a) to consult (or consult further) with the authority on the matter in question;

(b) to determine the matter in a particular way;

(c) to take, or not to take, any other steps in relation to the matter.

(2ZC) If (by virtue of subsection (2ZA)(a)) regulations make provision for an authority to refer a matter to the Secretary of State, the regulator or the Board, the regulations may also provide for any provision of section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972—

(a) not to apply in relation to the discharge by the authority of that function, or

(b) to apply in relation to its discharge with such modifications as may be prescribed.

(2ZD) Any functions conferred on a local authority by regulations under this section are not to be the responsibility of an executive of the authority under executive arrangements (within the meaning of Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000).

(2ZE) Regulations under this section may authorise a local authority to arrange for its functions under the regulations to be discharged by an overview and scrutiny committee of the authority.]

[F23 (2A) In subsection (2)(d) and (e), references to information are to information relating to matters relating to the health service in the authority's area.]

(3) [F24 For the purposes of subsection (2), “local NHS body”, in relation to an overview and scrutiny committee, means an NHS body other than a Special Health Authority which is prescribed for those purposes in relation to the committee.]

[F24 For the purposes of subsections (2) and (2ZA)—

• “relevant NHS body”, in relation to an authority to which this section applies, means an NHS body, other than a Special Health Authority, which is prescribed for those purposes in relation to the authority;

• “relevant health service provider”, in relation to an authority to which this section applies, means a body or person which—

  (a)

  provides services in pursuance of arrangements made—

  (i)

  by the Board or a clinical commissioning group under section 3, 3A, 3B or 4 or Schedule 1,

  (ii)

  by a local authority for the purpose of the exercise of its functions under or by virtue of section 2B or 6C(1) or Schedule 1, or

  (iii)

  by the Board, a clinical commissioning group or a local authority by virtue of section 7A, and

  (b)

  is prescribed, or is of a description prescribed, for those purposes in relation to the authority.]

[F25 (3A) In subsection (2)(f) “member”—

(a) in relation to a clinical commissioning group, includes a person who is not a member of the group but is a member of a committee or sub-committee of it;

(b) in relation to a relevant health service provider which is a body corporate, includes a person who is not a member of the body but is a director of it;

(c) in relation to an NHS trust, means a director of the trust;

(d) in relation to an NHS foundation trust, means a director or governor of the trust.

(3B) For the purposes of subsection (2)(f)—

(a) a member of a body which is a member of a clinical commissioning group or relevant health service provider is to be treated as a member of the group or (as the case may be) relevant health service provider, and

(b) an employee of a body which is a member of a clinical commissioning group or relevant health service provider is to be treated as an employee of the group or (as the case may be) relevant health service provider.]

(4) “The health service” includes services provided in pursuance of arrangements under regulations under section 75 in relation to the exercise of health-related functions of a local authority.

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 244 heading substituted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(7), 306(1)(d)(4)

F16 Words in s. 244(2) omitted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(2)(a), 306(1)(d)(4)

F17 Words in s. 244(2) substituted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(2)(b), 306(1)(d)(4)

F18 Words in s. 244(2) substituted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(2)(c), 306(1)(d)(4)

F19 Words in s. 244(2)(c) omitted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(2)(e), 306(1)(d)(4)

F20 Words in s. 244(2) substituted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(2)(d), 306(1)(d)(4)

F21 Words in s. 244(2)(f) substituted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(2)(f), 306(1)(d)(4)

F22 S. 244(2ZA)-(2ZE) inserted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(3), 306(1)(d)(4)

F23 S. 244(2A) inserted (1.4.2009) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 121(4), 245(5); S.I. 2008/3110, art. 4(c)

F24 S. 244(3) substituted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(4), 306(1)(d)(4)

F25 S. 244(3A)(3B) inserted (27.3.2012 for specified purposes) by Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), ss. 190(5), 306(1)(d)(4)

245 Joint overview and scrutiny committees etc E+W

(1) In this section, “relevant functions”—

(a) in relation to a local authority operating executive arrangements under Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) (“the 2000 Act”), are functions which are, or, but for regulations under this section, would be, exercisable under section 21(2)(f) of that Act by an overview and scrutiny committee of that authority, and

(b) in relation to a local authority operating alternative arrangements under that Part, are any corresponding functions which are, or, but for regulations under this section, would be, exercisable by a committee of the authority falling within paragraph (b) of section 32(1) of that Act,

and references to an overview and scrutiny committee include references to a committee falling within that paragraph.

(2) Regulations may make provision under which—

(a) two or more local authorities may appoint a joint committee of those authorities (a “joint overview and scrutiny committee”) and arrange for relevant functions in relation to any (or all) of those authorities to be exercisable by the committee,

(b) a local authority may arrange for relevant functions in relation to that authority to be exercisable by an overview and scrutiny committee of another local authority,

(c) a county council for any area may arrange for one or more of the members of an overview and scrutiny committee of the council for a district comprised in that area to be appointed as—

(i) a member of an overview and scrutiny committee of the county council or another local authority, for the purposes of relevant functions of the committee in relation to the county council, or

(ii) a member of an overview and scrutiny committee of the county council, for the purposes of relevant functions of the committee in relation to another local authority.

(3) The regulations may in particular—

(a) provide for arrangements to be made only in specified circumstances, or subject to specified conditions or limitations,

(b) in relation to joint overview and scrutiny committees, make provision applying, or corresponding to, any provision of—

(i) section 21(4) and (6) to [F26 (17)] of the 2000 Act, or

[F27 (ia) sections 21A to 21D of that Act,

(ib) section 22A of that Act,]

(ii) section 246 of, and Schedule 17 to, this Act, and Schedule 11 to the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42),

with or without modifications.

(4) The regulations may require, or enable the Secretary of State to direct, a local authority—

(a) to make arrangements of any description within subsection (2), and

(b) to comply with such requirements in connection with the arrangements as may be specified in the regulations or as the Secretary of State may direct.

(5) In section 244(2) and (3), references to an overview and scrutiny committee include references to a joint overview and scrutiny committee.

(6) In subsection (2)(c), references to an overview and scrutiny committee of a county council include references to a joint overview and scrutiny committee of the council and another local authority.

(7) Section 21(4) of the 2000 Act does not apply to the discharge of functions by virtue of arrangements under regulations under subsection (2).

(8) Section 21(10) of the 2000 Act does not apply to persons who are members of an overview and scrutiny committee by virtue of arrangements under regulations under subsection (2)(c).

(9) “Local authority” does not include the Common Council of the City of London.

Textual Amendments

F26 Word in s. 245(3)(b)(i) substituted (1.4.2009) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 127(3)(a), 245(5); S.I. 2008/3110, art. 4(g)

F27 S. 245(3)(b)(ia)(ib) inserted (1.4.2009) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 127(3)(b), 245(5); S.I. 2008/3110, art. 4(g)

246 Overview and scrutiny committees: exempt information E+W

(1) This section applies in relation to any item of business at a meeting of an overview and scrutiny committee which is an item relating to functions of the committee under section 21(2)(f) of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22).

(2) In relation to any such item, information is exempt information for the purposes of section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) (exclusion of public from meetings to prevent disclosure of exempt information) if it falls within any of the descriptions of information specified in Schedule 17, or in Schedule 11 to the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order vary Schedule 17—

(a) by adding any description or other provision in connection with a relevant body or services provided by, or under arrangements made by, a relevant body, [F28 or services in respect of which direct payments under section 12A(1), or under regulations under section 12A(4), are made by a relevant body,] or

(b) by deleting or varying any description or other provision specified or contained in that Schedule.

(4) The Secretary of State may exercise the power conferred by subsection (3) by amending any Part of Schedule 17, with or without amendment of any other Part.

(5) In this section and Schedule 17 “relevant body” means a body in respect of which overview and scrutiny committees exercise functions under regulations under section 244.

Textual Amendments

F28 Words in s. 246(3)(a) inserted (19.1.2010) by Health Act 2009 (c. 21), s. 40(1), Sch. 1 para. 9; S.I. 2010/30, art. 2(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 246: power to apply conferred by 2007 c. 28, s. 123(5)(b)(iii) (as substituted (12.1.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 32(1), 148(2)(a)(ii))

247 Application to the City of London E+W

(1) The Common Council may establish a committee which has, in relation to the City of London, the powers which under section 21(2)(f) of the Local Government Act 2000 a local authority's overview and scrutiny committee has in relation to the authority's area.

(2) Sections 244(2) to (4), 245 and 246 (and Schedule 17 to this Act and Schedule 11 to the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42)) apply as if such a committee were an overview and scrutiny committee and as if the Common Council were a London borough council.

(3) Section 21 of the Local Government Act 2000 applies as if such a committee were an overview and scrutiny committee and as if the Common Council were a local authority, but with the omission—

(a) of subsections (1) to (3), (5) and (9),

(b) in subsection (8), of “Executive”,

(c) in subsection (11), of paragraph (b), and

(d) in subsection (13)(a), of the reference to members of the executive.

(4) In the provisions applied by subsections (2) and (3), references to functions under any provision of section 21(2) of the 2000 Act are, in the case of the committee established under subsection (1), references to its functions under that subsection.

(5) “The Common Council” means the Common Council of the City of London.