40Notice of application to be given to local authority
(1)A custodianship order shall not be made unless the applicant has given notice of the application for the order to the local authority in whose area the child resides within the seven days following the making of the application, or such extended period as the court or local authority may allow.
(2)On receipt of a notice given by the applicant under subsection (1) the local authority shall arrange for an officer of the authority to make a report to the court (so far as is practicable) on the matters prescribed under subsection (3) and on any other matter which he considers to be relevant to the application.
(3)The Secretary of State shall by regulations prescribe matters which are to be included in a report under subsection (2) and, in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the prescribed matters shall include—
(a)the wishes and feelings of the child having regard to his age and understanding and all other matters relevant to the operation of section 1 (principle on which questions relating to custody are to be decided) of the [1971 c. 3.] Guardianship of Minors Act 1971 in relation to the application;
(b)the means and suitability of the applicant;
(c)information of a kind specified in the regulations relating to members of the applicant's household;
(d)the wishes regarding the application, and the means, of the mother and father of the child.
(4)Subsections (2), (3) and (3A) of section 6 of the [1973 c. 29.] Guardianship Act 1973 shall apply to a report under this section which is submitted to a magistrates' court.