Audit (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1996

Financial years of the Commissions

3 Financial year of Audit Commission

(1) In section 36 of the [1982 c. 32.] Local Government Finance Act 1982 (interpretation of Part III of the Act) after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) In this Part of this Act “financial year” means the period of 12 months ending with 31st October in any year.”

(2) At the [1972 c. 70.] beginning of subsection (2) of that section (application of certain interpretation provisions of Local Government Act 1972) insert “Subject to subsection (1A) above”.

(3) In Schedule 3 to the 1982 Act (the Audit Commission)—

(a) in paragraph 10(6) (date by which certain accounts must be sent to Comptroller and Auditor General) for “November” substitute “March”; and

(b) in paragraph 12(3) (date by which certain other accounts must be sent to Comptroller and Auditor General) for “30th November” substitute “31st March”.

(4) Subsections (1) to (3) shall have effect in relation to the year ending with 31st October 1998 and subsequent years ending with 31st October.

(5) In relation to the period beginning on 1st April 1997 and ending with 31st October 1997—

(a) Part III of the 1982 Act (the Audit Commission) shall have effect as if “financial year” meant that period;

(b) paragraph 10(6) of Schedule 3 to that Act shall have effect so as to require the account there mentioned to be sent not later than 31st March 1998;

(c) paragraph 12(3) of Schedule 3 to that Act shall have effect so as to require the statement there mentioned to be transmitted on or before 31st March 1998.

4 Financial year of Accounts Commission for Scotland

(1) In section 98 of the [1973 c. 65.] Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (expenses and accounts of Accounts Commission for Scotland)—

(a) in subsection (5), for the words “30th November” substitute “31st March”; and

(b) after subsection (6) add—

“(7) In this section, “financial year” means the period of twelve months ending with 31st October in any year.”.

(2) In section 235(1) of the 1973 Act (interpretation), in the definition of “financial year”, after the word “has” insert “, except in section 98,”.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2)—

(a) shall first have effect in relation to—

(i) such year; or

(ii) such greater or lesser period than a year,

ending, in either case, with 31st October, as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument specify; and

(b) shall thereafter have effect in relation to years so ending,

and as respects any period specified under paragraph (a)(ii) the subsection added by subsection (1)(b) shall be construed as if referring to that period and not to a period of twelve months.