723.This section inserts a new provision into Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Act 1990, the effect of which is that local authorities will no longer be disqualified from holding a licence where the service in question is provided solely in pursuance of the functions of local authorities under section 142 of the Local Government Act 1972.
724.Section 142 relates to the provision by a local authority of information concerning their functions and the services available within their area.. Subsection (2) of section 349 inserts into section 142 provisions allowing a local authority to provide an electronic communications network or electronic communications service for the purpose of broadcasting or distributing information generally relating to the functions of the authority or about services available within their area that are provided by them or by another local authority or by an authority, board or committee with similar functions, or to arrange for the broadcasting or distribution of such information by means of an electronic communications network or electronic communications service provided by someone else.
*“electronic communications network” and “electronic communications service” are defined in section 32.
725.Subsection (3) amends section 2(1) of the Local Government Act 1986 in order to widen the prohibition on a local authority from publishing any material which appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party, to a local authority arranging for such a publication.