Part IILocal Government Changes for England

Functions of the Local Government Commission

15Procedure on a review

1

As soon as reasonably practicable after being directed to conduct a review, the Local Government Commission shall take such steps as it considers sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the review are informed of—

a

the direction requiring that review to be conducted;

b

any other directions under this Part which are relevant to the review; and

c

the period within which representations with respect to the subject-matter of the review may be made.

2

As soon as reasonably practicable after deciding to conduct a periodic review of any area under section 13(2) above, the Local Government Commission shall take such steps as it considers sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the review are informed of—

a

the fact that the Commission is to conduct a periodic review of that area;

b

any directions under this Part which are relevant to the review; and

c

the period within which representations with respect to the subject-matter of the review may be made.

3

In conducting a review, the Local Government Commission shall—

a

take into consideration any representations made to it within the period mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (2)(c) above;

b

prepare draft recommendations and take such steps as it considers sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the recommendations are informed of them and of the period within which representations with respect to them may be made;

c

deposit copies of the draft recommendations at the principal office of any principal council appearing to that Commission to be likely to be affected by them; and

d

take into consideration any representations made to that Commission within that period.

4

As soon as the Local Government Commission is in a position to submit to the Secretary of State a report on a review, it shall—

a

submit such a report to him together with its recommendations;

b

take such steps as it considers sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the recommendations are informed of them and of the period within which they may be inspected; and

c

deposit copies of the recommendations at the principal office of any principal council appearing to that Commission to be likely to be affected by them.

5

Copies of any draft recommendations deposited at the principal office of a principal council under subsection (3)(c) above, and of any recommendations deposited at any such office under subsection (4)(c) above, shall be kept available for inspection at that office throughout the period within which representations with respect to them may be made or, as the case may be, within which they may be inspected.

6

Where the report on a review is submitted to the Secretary of State under subsection (4) above, he may, if he thinks fit, direct the Local Government Commission to conduct a further review of any area to which the report relates and to make revised recommendations as respects that area; and this section shall apply in relation to the further review with such modifications as may be specified in the direction.

7

The Secretary of State may give directions as to the exercise by the Local Government Commission of any functions under this section; and such directions may require that Commission to have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State as respects matters to be taken into account.

8

This section shall have effect as if the Common Council of the City of London were a principal council and the City of London included the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple.