Audit Commission: extension of functions, etc.E+W

F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Financial years of the CommissionsE+W+S

F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

4 Financial year of Accounts Commission for Scotland.E+W+S

(1)In section 98 of the M1Local 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.

Miscellaneous and supplementaryE+W+S

F45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

5 Publication at direction of either Commission.S

(1)In section 1 of the M2Local Government Act 1992 (direction of Audit Commission or Accounts Commission for Scotland requiring certain bodies to publish information about performance) in subsection (2)(b) (method of publication) for the words “in a newspaper circulating in the area of that body” substitute “ and by one of the methods permitted by section 1A below ”.

(2)After section 1 of that Act insert—

“1A Permitted methods of publishing information.

(1)The permitted methods of publication referred to in section 1(2)(b) above are as follows.

(2)The relevant body may publish the information in a newspaper printed for sale and circulating in their area.

(3)If the relevant body ensure that the distribution condition is satisfied with respect to the information, they may publish the information in a newspaper or periodical publication which is produced and distributed by another person (other than a local authority company) and which is free of charge to the recipient.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) above, a relevant body ensure that the distribution condition is satisfied with respect to information if—

(a)they take all reasonable steps to secure that a copy of a publication containing the information is distributed to each dwelling in their area; and

(b)in a case where they consider that the information is of concern to persons carrying on business in their area, they take such steps as they consider reasonable and practicable to secure that a copy of a publication containing the information is distributed to business premises in their area.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (3) above a local authority company is any company under the control of a local authority; and section 68(1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (company under control of local authority) shall have effect for the purposes of this subsection as it has effect for the purposes of Part V of that Act.”

F56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

7 Short title and extent.E+W+S

(1)This Act may be cited as the Audit (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1996.

(2)This Act, apart from this section and sections 4 and 5, does not extend to Scotland.

(3)This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.