Local Government Act 1974

[F1 31A Consideration of adverse reports. E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, any power of an authority to have their functions discharged by any person or body of persons acting for the authority shall, as respects the consideration of a further report of the Local Commissioner under section 31(2A) above, be subject to the restriction that, if it is proposed that the authority should take no action on, or not the action recommended in, the report, consideration of the report shall be referred to the authority.

(2) Consideration of a further report of the Local Commissioner under section 31(2A) above by any such committee of a local authority as is referred to in an enactment specified in section 101(9) of the Local Government Act 1972 or by any appeal committee constituted in accordance with [F2 paragraph 1 of Schedule 33 to the Education Act 1996] shall be subject to a corresponding restriction.

[F3 (2A) In the case of a local authority which are operating executive arrangements, consideration of a further report of the Local Commissioner under section 31(2A) above by the executive of that local authority, or any person on behalf of that executive, shall be subject to a corresponding restriction.]

(3) The restriction imposed by subsections (1) and (2) above does not apply where the report recommends action to be taken by—

(a) a joint committee established under the said section 101, or

(b) any committee referred to in an enactment specified in paragraph (c), (d) or (h) of the said section 101(9).

(4) If an authority considering a further report of the Local Commissioner under section 31(2A) above take into consideration a report by a person or body with an interest in the Local Commissioner’s report, they shall not conclude their consideration of the Local Commissioner’s report without also having taken into consideration a report by a person or body with no interest in the Local Commissioner’s report.

(5) No member of an authority to which this Part of this Act applies or of a committee mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) above shall vote on any question with respect to a report or further report under this Part of this Act in which he is named and criticised by a Local Commissioner.

[F3 (5A) In the case of a local authority which are operating executive arrangements—

(a) no member of the executive of that authority shall decide; and

(b) no member of the executive or any body acting on behalf of that executive shall vote on any question with respect to a report or further report under this Part of the Act in which he is named and criticised by a Local Commissioner.]

(6) Section 25(4) [F4 , (4A)] and (5) above do not apply to this section.]

[F5 (7) Where the authority concerned is the Greater London Authority, any functions exercisable under this section by or in relation to the Authority shall be exercisable by or in relation to the Mayor and the Assembly acting jointly on behalf of the Authority, and references to the authority concerned (other than references to a member of the authority concerned) shall be construed accordingly.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 31A inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 81:1, 2), s. 28

F2 Words in s. 31A(2) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(1), 583(2), Sch. 37 Pt. I para. 28(with s. 1(4), Sch. 39)

F3 S. 31A(2A)(5A) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 2(b), 10(a)(b) and s. 31A(2A)(5A) inserted (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2002/808, art. 10(1)(a)(b)

F4 Words in s. 31A(6) inserted (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 74(1)(8) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

F5 S. 31A(7) inserted (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 74(1)(9) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 31A: ss. 26-34 modified by S.I. 1991/559, art. 2(3)

C2 Ss. 31–34 modified by S.I. 1986/452, art. 8(3)