Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997

Contracts for provision of assets or services

1 Functions to include power to enter into contracts

(1) Every statutory provision conferring or imposing a function on a local authority confers power on the local authority to enter into a contract with another person for the provision or making available of assets or services, or both, (whether or not together with goods) for the purposes of, or in connection with, the discharge of the function by the local authority.

(2) Where—

(a) a local authority enters into a contract such as is mentioned in subsection (1) (“the provision contract”) under any statutory provision, and

(b) in connection with the provision contract, a person (“the financier”) makes a loan to, or provides any other form of finance for, a party to the provision contract other than the local authority,

the statutory provision also confers power on the local authority to enter into a contract with the financier, or any insurer of or trustee for the financier, in connection with the provision contract.

(3) The following are local authorities for the purposes of this Act—

(a) any authority with respect to the finances of which Part IV of the [1989 c. 42.] Local Government and Housing Act 1989 has effect at the time in question,

(b) any probation committee,

(c) the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District, and

(d) any local authority or joint board as defined in section 235(1) of the [1973 c. 65.] Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

(4) In this Act “assets” means assets of any description (whether tangible or intangible), including (in particular) land, buildings, roads, works, plant, machinery, vehicles, vessels, apparatus, equipment and computer software.

(5) Regulations may be made amending subsection (4).