The Administration of the Rent Officer Service (Wales) Order 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order provides, in accordance with powers exercisable by the National Assembly for Wales (“the National Assembly”) under section 64B of the Rent Act 1977, that the appointment, remuneration and administration of rent officers in Wales are to be functions of the National Assembly for Wales rather than of local authorities.

Article 2 of the Order abolishes, on 1st June 2003 (“the transfer date”), schemes for rent registration areas in Wales made under section 63 of the Rent Act 1977.

Articles 3 and 4 make provision for the transfer of the contracts of employment of rent officers' and the administrative staff employed in the rent officer service (collectively referred to as “the relevant employees”) immediately before the coming into force of this Order to the National Assembly.

Article 5 transfers the property (not including interests in land or buildings) held and the rights and liabilities to which the relevant bodies were entitled or subject, in connection with the rent officer service, to the National Assembly.

Article 6 provides that the National Assembly has the power to appoint, remunerate and pay pensions, allowances and gratuities to or in respect of rent officers.

Article 7 makes provision with respect to the administration and supervision of rent officers.

Article 8 provides that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 will apply to the transfer of the contracts of employment of the relevant employees from the relevant bodies to the National Assembly.

Article 9 makes provision for specified expenditure, incurred by the relevant bodies as a consequence of this Order, to be met by the National Assembly.

Articles 10, 11 and 12 make amendments to the Rent Act 1977.

Article 13 makes incidental and supplementary provisions and repeals paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 8 to the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.