Local Authority Social Services Act 1970

3 Business of social services committee

(1) Except with the consent of the Secretary of State (which may be given either generally or with respect to a particular authority) or as provided by this section, no matter, other than a matter which by virtue of section 2 of this Act stands referred to a local authority's social services committee, shall be referred to, or dealt with by, the committee.

(2) A local authority may refer to their social services committee a matter arising in connection with the authority's functions under—

(a) section 5(1)(c) of the [1962 c. 33.] Health Visiting and Social Work (Training) Act 1962 (research into matters relating to functions of local health authorities), or

(b) section 65 of the [1968 c. 46.] Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 (financial and other assistance to voluntary organisations),

and appearing to the authority to relate to their social services ; and a matter which by virtue of paragraph (a) above is referred to a local authority's social services committee shall not stand referred to the authority's health committee under Part II of Schedule 4 to the [1946 c. 81.] National Health Service Act 1946.

(3) A local authority may delegate to their social services committee any of their functions matters relating to which stand referred to the committee by virtue of section 2 of this Act or this section (hereafter in this Act referred to as " social services functions ") and, before exercising any of those functions themselves, the authority shall (unless the matter is urgent) consider a report of the committee with respect to the matter in question.

(4) Nothing in section 2 of this Act or this section prevents a local authority from referring to a committee other than their social services committee a matter which by virtue of either of those sections stands referred to the social services committee and which in the authority's opinion ought to be referred to the other committee on the ground that it relates to a general service of, the authority; but before referring any such matter the authority shall receive and consider a report of the social services committee with respect to the subject matter of the proposed reference.