http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1998/18

C1Part III Studies, Performance Standards and Other Functions

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Pt. III continued (1.4.2005) by Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 (c. 23), ss. 69(6), 73; S.I. 2005/558, art. 2, Sch. 1

Studies and related functions

34 Reports on impact of statutory provisions etc.

1

In addition to the studies referred to in section 33(1), the Commission shall undertake or promote studies designed to enable it to prepare reports as to the impact—

a

of the operation of any particular statutory provision or provisions, or

b

of 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 provision of local authority services F5by bodies subject to audit and local government bodies in Wales and of other services provided by bodies subject to audit other than health service bodies F6and by local government bodies in Wales , or on the financial management of F7bodies subject to audit and local government bodies in Wales .

2

The Commission shall publish or otherwise make available its report of the results of any study under this section, and shall send a copy of any such report to the Comptroller and Auditor General.

3

Where the Comptroller and Auditor General has received a copy of any such report he may, subject to subsection (4), require the Commission to provide him with any information obtained by it in connection with the preparation of the report, and for that purpose the Commission shall permit any person authorised by him to inspect and make copies of any documents containing such information.

4

No information shall be required by the Comptroller and Auditor General under this section in respect of any particular body.

5

The Comptroller and Auditor General shall from time to time lay before the House of Commons a report of any matters which, in his opinion, arise out of studies of the Commission under this section and ought to be drawn to the attention of that House.

6

Before undertaking or promoting any study under this section the Commission shall consult—

a

the Comptroller and Auditor General;

b

any Minister of the Crown who appears to it to be concerned;

F8bza

in the case of a study which has a connection with anything which may be inspected under Chapter 4 of Part 8 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills;

F1ba

in the case of a study which has a connection with any English local authority social service (within the meaning of Part 2 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003), the Commission for Social Care Inspection;

bb

in the case of a study which has a connection with any Welsh local authority social service (within the meaning of that Part of that Act), the National Assembly for Wales;

c

such associations of local authorities or other bodies subject to audit as appear to it to be concerned; F4...

d

such associations of employees as appear to it to be appropriate.

F3da

in the case of a study relating to a local government body in Wales, also consult the Auditor General for Wales and take account of any relevant work done or being done by the Auditor General for Wales.

F26A

The Commission may undertake or promote studies under this section relating to a local government body in Wales only if the Commission considers it necessary or desirable to do so for the purposes of any of these—

a

a study into the impact of anything mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of local authority services throughout England and Wales by all local government bodies or a description of local government body;

b

a study into the impact of anything mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of other services throughout England and Wales by all local government bodies or a description of local government body;

c

a study into the impact of anything mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) on the financial management throughout England and Wales of all local government bodies or a description of local government body.