(This note is not part of the Order)
Part II of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 provides for the investigation of complaints of maladministration by local authorities and certain other public bodies in Scotland. Investigations are to be carried out by the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland (known as the Local Government Ombudsman). The Commissioner is required to make an annual report on the discharge of his functions. The designated body is responsible for meeting the salaries, accommodation costs and other expenses of the Commissioner and his officers, and recovers these costs from local authorities. In consequence of the vesting of certain financial functions in Audit Scotland at 1st April 2000, this Order provides for Audit Scotland to be the designated body for Scotland for these purposes, in place of the Commission for Local Authority Accounts in Scotland.