Local Government Act 1999

15 Secretary of State’s powers

(1) This section applies in relation to a best value authority if the Secretary of State is satisfied that it is failing to comply with the requirements of this Part.

(2) Where this section applies in relation to an authority the Secretary of State may direct it—

(a) to prepare or amend a performance plan;

(b) to follow specified procedures in relation to a performance plan;

(c) to carry out a review of its exercise of specified functions.

(3) Where this section applies in relation to an authority the Secretary of State may direct a local inquiry to be held into the exercise by the authority of specified functions.

(4) Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (inquiries) shall apply in relation to an inquiry which the Secretary of State directs to be held under this section as they apply in relation to an inquiry which a Minister causes to be held under that section.

(5) Where this section applies in relation to an authority the Secretary of State may direct the authority to take any action which he considers necessary or expedient to secure its compliance with the requirements of this Part.

(6) Where this section applies in relation to an authority the Secretary of State may direct—

(a) that a specified function of the authority shall be exercised by the Secretary of State or a person nominated by him for a period specified in the direction or for so long as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, and

(b) that the authority shall comply with any instructions of the Secretary of State or his nominee in relation to the exercise of that function and shall provide such assistance as the Secretary of State or his nominee may require for the purpose of exercising the function.

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision which—

(a) relates to an enactment which confers a function on him in respect of a function of a best value authority, and

(b) he considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of cases in which he makes a direction under subsection (6)(a).

(8) Regulations under subsection (7) may, in relation to the cases mentioned in subsection (7)(b)—

(a) disapply or modify an enactment of the kind mentioned in subsection (7)(a);

(b) have an effect similar to the effect of an enactment of that kind.

(9) Subject to subsection (11), before giving a direction under this section the Secretary of State shall give the authority concerned an opportunity to make representations about—

(a) the report (if any) as a result of which the direction is proposed, and

(b) the direction proposed.

(10) Subject to subsection (11), before giving a direction under this section following a recommendation in a report under section 7(4)(f) the Secretary of State shall have regard to any statement under section 9(2) which the authority concerned sends to him before the expiry of the period of one month starting with the day on which the authority received the report.

(11) The Secretary of State may give a direction without complying with subsection (9) or (10) if he considers the direction sufficiently urgent.

(12) Where the Secretary of State gives a direction without complying with subsection (9) or (10) he shall inform—

(a) the authority concerned, and

(b) such persons appearing to him to represent best value authorities as he considers appropriate,

of the direction and of the reason why it was given without complying with subsection (9) or (10).

(13) A direction given under this section shall be enforceable by order of mandamus on the application of the Secretary of State.