Sections 99 and 100: Performance Categories
Section 99: Categorisation of English local authorities by reference to performance
283.Section 99 requires the Audit Commission to produce reports on its assessment of English local authorities’ performance, including placing authorities into one of a number of categories by reference to assessed performance. The Secretary of State may then make an order establishing the categorisation and identifying the authorities placed in each category. The Secretary of State has no power to place an authority in a category different to that in which it has been placed by the Audit Commission.
Section 100: Exercise of powers by reference to authorities’ performance categories
284.Section 100 covers the exercise of various powers that allow the Secretary of State to remove regulatory controls on authorities or to grant additional powers to them. In particular, subsection (1) makes it clear that the powers mentioned in subsection (2) may be exercised for the purpose of making provision that relates to authorities that are for the time being in a particular performance category under section 99. Where provision of that kind is made and an authority undergoes recategorisation, the result will be that the provision relating to the authority’s old category will no longer apply to it and, instead, the authority will be subject to the provision that applies to its new category.
285.The powers mentioned in subsection (2) include the power to modify legislation that prevents or obstructs compliance with Best Value or the promotion of well being and the power to remove requirements to produce plans or strategies. They also include powers to specify: performance indicators and standards; frequency and content of Best Value reviews and performance plans; and non-commercial considerations for local authorities entering into contracts.
286.Schedule 3 (introduced by subsection (3)) amends some of the provisions conferring the powers identified above. The amendments seek to ensure that the powers can be exercised flexibly and not only allow provision to be made for authorities in different performance categories but also for particular named authorities, which (for example) may be necessary for the purposes of giving effect to Local Public Service Agreements.
287.Subsections (4) to (7) provide that additional powers may subsequently be added to the list in subsection (2) by order, which will require the approval of both Houses of Parliament. Where any such additional power is not already capable of being exercised in relation to some English local authorities only or differently in relation to different authorities, an order under subsection (5) can amend the legislation conferring the power to allow it to be used in those ways. This procedure will also require the approval of both Houses of Parliament.
