Forward work programme
23.—(1) The Consumer Council shall, before each financial year, publish a document (the “forward work programme”) containing a general description of the projects which it plans to undertake during the year in the exercise of its transport functions (other than projects comprising routine activities in the exercise of those functions).
(2) That description shall include the objectives of each project.
(3) The forward work programme for any year shall also include an estimate of the overall expenditure which the Consumer Council expects to incur during the year in the exercise of its transport functions.
(4) Before publishing the forward work programme for any year, the Consumer Council shall give notice—
(a)containing a draft of the forward work programme; and
(b)specifying the time within which representations or objections to the proposals contained in it may be made,
and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.
(5) The notice under subsection (4) shall be published by the Consumer Council in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters contained in it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them.
(6) The Consumer Council shall send a copy of any notice given by it under subsection (4) to the Department.
(7) In this section and section 24 “transport functions” means functions under paragraph (1) of Article 5 of the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 (NI 12) so far as they relate to passenger transport.