Interaction with other authorities
Section 149: Interaction of the Audit Commission with other authorities
391.This section introduces Schedule 11 to the Act, which inserts a new Schedule 2A in the Audit Commission Act 1998, which makes provision about the functions of the Audit Commission in relation to inspections and about the Audit Commission’s interaction with other inspection authorities, public bodies and others.
392.The new Schedule 2A includes provision enabling the Audit Commission to provide advice and assistance to public authorities whether within or outside the UK (see paragraph 9 of the new Schedule). It replaces the existing provision in section 37 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 (power to provide advice and assistance to certain inspection authorities).
Section 150: Interaction of benefits inspectors with the Audit Commission
393.This section relates to persons who are authorised by the Secretary of State under section 139A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to carry out inspections of the administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit. The Secretary of State is not expected to use the power to authorise such people often once the Audit Commission takes on the bulk of such inspections.
394.This section requires such persons to produce documents setting out what inspections they expect to carry out and how they expect to carry them out, after consultation with the Audit Commission. It requires them to send copies of the final documents to the Audit Commission and the Secretary of State. It requires such persons to co-operate with the Audit Commission. It also enables them to act jointly with the Audit Commission. These new powers and duties reflect the new powers and duties of the Audit Commission in new Schedule 2A to the Audit Commission Act 1998 inserted by Schedule 11 to the Act.
