Valid from 01/10/2006
Chapter 2E+WCommission for Rural Communities
The Commission and its general purposeE+W
17Commission for Rural CommunitiesE+W
(1)There is to be a body known as the Commission for Rural Communities.
(2)Schedule 2 contains provisions about the constitution of the Commission and related matters.
18Commission's general purposeE+W
(1)The Commission's general purpose is to promote—
(a)awareness among relevant persons and the public of rural needs, and
(b)meeting rural needs in ways that contribute to sustainable development.
(2)For the purposes of this Chapter “relevant person” means—
(a)a public authority, or
(b)a body which appears to the Commission to be concerned with any aspect of rural needs.7
(3)For the purposes of this Chapter “rural needs” means the social and economic needs of persons in rural areas in England.
(4)In determining the social and economic needs of persons in those areas, particular regard is to be had to the needs of—
(a)persons suffering from social disadvantage, and
(b)areas suffering from economic under-performance.
FunctionsE+W
19Representation, advice and monitoringE+W
The Commission must take such steps as appear to it to be appropriate for—
(a)representing rural needs to relevant persons,
(b)providing relevant persons with information and advice about issues connected with rural needs or ways of meeting them, and
(c)monitoring, and making reports about, the way in which relevant persons' policies are developed, adopted and implemented (by rural proofing or otherwise) and the extent to which those policies are meeting rural needs.
20ResearchE+W
The Commission may—
(a)undertake research into any matter relating to its general purpose, or
(b)commission or support (by financial means or otherwise) research into any such matter.
21Information services etc.E+W
The Commission may—
(a)publish documents or provide information about any matter relating to its general purpose, or
(b)assist in the provision of such publications or information.
22Power to charge for servicesE+W
(1)The Commission may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, make such charges for its services as appear to it to be reasonable.
(2)“Services” includes, in particular, anything done under section 21.
23Incidental powersE+W
(1)The Commission may do anything that appears to it to be conducive or incidental to the discharge of its functions.
(2)In particular, the Commission may—
(a)enter into agreements;
(b)acquire or dispose of property;
(c)borrow money;
(d)accept gifts;
(e)invest money.
Powers of Secretary of StateE+W
24GrantsE+W
(1)The Secretary of State may make grants to the Commission of such amounts as the Secretary of State thinks fit.
(2)A grant under this section may be made subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State thinks fit.
25DirectionsE+W
(1)The Secretary of State may give the Commission general or specific directions as to the exercise of its functions.
(2)The Secretary of State must publish any directions given under this section as soon as is reasonably practicable after giving the directions.
(3)The power to give directions under this section includes power to vary or revoke the directions.
(4)The Commission must comply with any directions given under this section.