(1)The Audit Commission for Local Authorities in England and Wales (the Commission) may, at the request of the appropriate body, promote or undertake studies designed to improve economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the management or operations of the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, a higher education corporation or the governing body of a grant-maintained school.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1) above “the appropriate body” is—
(a)with respect to studies relating to the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council, the Council;
(b)with respect to studies relating to a higher education corporation, that Council or the corporation; and
(c)with respect to studies relating to the governing body of a grant-maintained school, the governing body.
(3)The Commission may, at the Council’s request, give the Council advice in connection with the discharge of the Council’s functions under paragraph 18(2)(b) of Schedule 7 to this Act.
(4)The Commission may, at the request of a higher 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.
(5)References in subsection (4) above 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 this Act.
(6)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.