Audit Commission Bill [H.L.]

Audit Commission Bill [H.L.] - continued	House of Commons

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PART III

STUDIES, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS

Studies and related functions

Studies for improving economy etc. in services.

33. - (1) The Commission shall undertake or promote comparative and other studies designed to enable it to make recommendations-

(a) for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of local authority services and of other services provided by bodies subject to audit; and

(b) for improving the financial or other management of bodies subject to audit.

(2) The studies which the Commission is required to undertake or promote under subsection (1) include, in particular-

(a) studies designed to enable the Commission to determine what directions it should give under section 44; and

(b) studies of information published in pursuance of directions under that section which are designed to enable the Commission to determine, in relation to each financial year, what comparative information to publish itself about the standards of performance achieved by bodies which are relevant bodies for the purposes of that section.

(3) In undertaking or promoting studies under subsection (1) relating to a health service body (services of which are excluded from studies under section 34) the Commission may take into account the implementation by the body of-

(a) any particular statutory provision or provisions, and

(b) any directions or guidance given by the Secretary of State (whether pursuant to any such provision or otherwise);

but this subsection does not entitle the Commission to question the merits of the policy objectives of the Secretary of State.

(4) The Commission may undertake or promote other studies relating to the provision by bodies subject to audit of their services besides the studies referred to in subsection (1) and section 34.

(5) The Commission shall publish or otherwise make available its recommendations and the result of any studies under this section and, in the case of studies relating to a health service body, shall, on request, provide the Comptroller and Auditor General with all material relevant to the studies.

(6) Before undertaking or promoting any study under this section, other than a study within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2), the Commission shall-

(a) consult such associations of local authorities or other bodies subject to audit as appear to it to be concerned;

(b) consult such associations of employees as appear to it to be appropriate; and

(c) in the case of any health service bodies, also consult the Secretary of State and the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Reports on impact of statutory provisions etc.

34. - (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 and of other services provided by bodies subject to audit other than health service bodies, or on the financial management of such bodies.

(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;

(d) such associations of employees as appear to it to be appropriate.

Studies at request of bodies subject to audit.

35. - (1) The Commission may, at the request of the body concerned, promote or undertake studies designed to improve economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the management or operations of any body subject to audit.

(2) Before making the request the body shall consult-

(a) such associations of employees, or

(b) in the case of a health service body, such other organisations,

as appear to it to be appropriate.

(3) The Commission shall charge the body such fees for services provided under this section as will cover the full cost of providing them.

Studies at request of educational bodies.

36. - (1) The Commission may promote or undertake studies designed to improve economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the management or operations of a body in the first column in the Table below if requested to do so by the body (or one of the bodies) specified in relation to it in the second column-

Subject of study	Requesting body
A higher education funding council.	The council.
The governing body of an institution within the higher education sector.	The governing body or the higher education funding council.
A funding agency under Part I of the Education Act 1994.	The agency.
The governing body of an institution receiving financial support under Part I of the Education Act 1994.	The governing body or the appropriate funding agency.
A further education funding council.	The council.
The governing body of an institution within the further education sector.	The governing body or the appropriate further education funding council.
The Funding Agency for Schools.	The agency.
The Schools Funding Council for Wales.	The council.
The governing body of a grant-maintained school.	The governing body or the funding authority.

(2) The Commission may, at the request of a higher education funding council or a further education funding council, give the council advice in connection with the discharge of the council's functions under section 124B(2)(b) of the Education Reform Act 1988 or paragraph 18(2)(b) of Schedule 7 to that Act.

(3) The Commission may, at the request of a higher education corporation, a further education corporation or the governing body of a grant-maintained school-

(a) advise them in connection with the appointment of persons to audit their accounts; and

(b) arrange for their accounts for any financial year to be audited by such of the Commission's officers as the corporation or governing body may appoint.

(4) In subsection (3)-

(a) "higher education corporation" and "further education corporation" have the same meaning as in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, and

(b) references to the accounts of a higher education corporation include references to any statement of accounts prepared by the corporation under paragraph 18 of Schedule 7 to the Education Reform Act 1988.

(5) The Commission shall charge the body at whose request any services are provided under this section such fees as will cover the full cost of providing them.

(6) This section shall be construed as one with the Education Act 1996; and references in any enactment to the Education Acts include a reference to this section.

Prepared 20 March 1998