Accountability
Section 14 - Forward work programmes
37.Section 14 requires that Consumer Scotland must, before each programme year, prepare and publish a forward work programme. A programme year corresponds to a financial year (i.e. 1 April to 31 March). This document must include, for the following year:
Consumer Scotland’s priorities (in relation to consumers generally and in relation to vulnerable consumers);
a description of its main planned activities (in relation to consumers generally and in relation to vulnerable consumers);
details of any other priorities, and
details of any investigations it plans to undertake over and above those which are routine activities necessary to fulfil its functions.
38.When the forward work programme is being prepared, Consumer Scotland must have regard to the views of consumers and other persons, bodies and organisations having an interest in consumer matters.
39.This published programme must also be laid before the Scottish Parliament. Under section 7, Consumer Scotland must have regard to its forward work programme when exercising its functions.
Section 15 – Reports on investigations
40.Section 15 requires Consumer Scotland to publish its findings and recommendations as soon as reasonably practicable after the conclusion of an investigation conducted under section 4(2). The report must also set out how, in conducting the investigation, Consumer Scotland has had regard to the activities carried on by specified persons and also by any persons with the same functions as, or similar functions to, Consumer Scotland. Specified persons are persons specified by the Scottish Ministers by regulations under section 7(8). A copy of this report must be sent to the Scottish Ministers.
Section 16 – Annual report
41.Section 16 places an obligation on Consumer Scotland to publish an annual report on its activities and to lay this before the Scottish Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year. A copy of the report must also be sent to the Scottish Ministers. The report must set out how Consumer Scotland has had regard to the activities carried on by specified persons and also by any persons with the same functions as, or similar functions to, Consumer Scotland. Specified persons are persons specified by the Scottish Ministers by regulations under section 7(8).
Section 17 – Consumer welfare report
42.Section 17 requires Consumer Scotland to produce a consumer welfare report as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of every three year reporting period (to 31 March). This report must be published, sent to the Scottish Ministers and laid before the Scottish Parliament. The report must set out how well consumer interests are being served in Scotland and, where there is consumer harm, what form that takes and how widespread it is.
43.Consumer Scotland must have regard to the views of consumers and other persons, bodies and organisations having an interest in consumer matters when preparing this report. Consumer Scotland will therefore have to consult, ask for evidence from, or work collaboratively with such persons when preparing the report.
44.Consumer Scotland must also, when preparing the consumer welfare report, set out how it has had regard to the interests of vulnerable consumers.
