Part IX Ancillary functions

Chapter I Ancillary functions of Secretary of State

General functions

496 Power to prevent unreasonable exercise of functions.

(1)

If the Secretary of State is satisfied (either on a complaint by any person or otherwise) that a body to which this section applies have acted or are proposing to act unreasonably with respect to the exercise of any power conferred or the performance of any duty imposed by or under this Act, he may give such directions as to the exercise of the power or the performance of the duty as appear to him to be expedient (and may do so despite any enactment which makes the exercise of the power or the performance of the duty contingent upon the opinion of the body).

(2)

The bodies to which this section applies are—

(a)

any F1local authority F2in England, F3and

F4(b)

the governing body of any community, foundation or voluntary school F5F6in England, of any community or foundation special school F6in England, or of any maintained nursery school F6in England.

F7(3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F7(4)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F8(5)

This section is subject to sections 508I and 509AE (complaints about transport arrangements etc).