Part IX Ancillary functions

Chapter II Ancillary functions of F4local authorities

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)

Provision of services

507BF5F4Local authorities in England: functions in respect of leisure-time activities etc for persons aged 13 to 19 and certain persons aged 20 to 24

1

A F2local authority in England must, so far as reasonably practicable, secure for qualifying young persons in the authority's area access to—

a

sufficient educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their well-being, and sufficient facilities for such activities; and

b

sufficient recreational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their well-being, and sufficient facilities for such activities.

2

“Qualifying young persons”, for the purposes of this section, are—

a

persons who have attained the age of 13 but not the age of 20; and

b

persons who have attained the age of 20 but not the age of 25 and have a learning difficulty F3or disability (within the meaning of F1section 15ZA(6)(a) and (7)).

3

For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)—

a

“sufficient educational leisure-time activities” which are for the improvement of the well-being of qualifying young persons in the authority's area must include sufficient educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of their personal and social development, and

b

“sufficient facilities for such activities” must include sufficient facilities for educational leisure-time activities which are for the improvement of the personal and social development of qualifying young persons in the authority's area.

4

References in the remaining provisions of this section to “positive leisure-time activities” are references to any activities falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1).

5

For the purposes of subsection (1) a F2local authority may—

a

provide facilities for positive leisure-time activities;

b

assist others in the provision of such facilities;

c

make arrangements for facilitating access for qualifying young persons to such facilities;

d

organise positive leisure-time activities;

e

assist others in the organisation of such activities;

f

make arrangements for facilitating access for qualifying young persons to such activities;

g

enter into agreements or make arrangements with any person in connection with anything done or proposed to be done under any of paragraphs (a) to (f);

h

take any other action which the authority think appropriate.

6

For the purposes of subsection (5)—

a

the provision mentioned in paragraph (a) may include establishing, maintaining and managing places at which facilities for positive leisure-time activities are provided;

b

the assistance mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (e) may include the provision of financial assistance;

c

the arrangements mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (f) may include the provision of transport, of financial assistance or of information to any person.

7

Before taking any action for the purposes of subsection (1) (“the proposed action”), a F2local authority must—

a

consider whether it is expedient for the proposed action to be taken by another person, and

b

where the authority consider that it is so expedient, take all reasonable steps to enter into an agreement or make arrangements with such a person for that purpose.

8

For the purposes of subsection (7)(a) a F2local authority must consult such persons as the authority think appropriate as to whether it is expedient for the proposed action to be taken by another person.

9

In exercising their functions under this section a F2local authority must—

a

take steps to ascertain the views of qualifying young persons in the authority's area about—

i

positive leisure-time activities, and facilities for such activities, in the authority's area;

ii

the need for any additional such activities and facilities; and

iii

access to such activities and facilities; and

b

secure that the views of qualifying young persons in the authority's area are taken into account.

10

A F2local authority in England must—

a

publicise information about positive leisure-time activities, and facilities for such activities, in the authority's area, and

b

keep the information publicised under paragraph (a) up to date.

11

A F2local authority may charge in respect of anything provided by the authority under this section where the provision is to a qualifying young person (whether or not in the authority's area).

C2C112

In exercising their functions under this section a F2local authority must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by F6the Secretary of State.

13

In this section—

  • “recreation” includes physical training (and “recreational” is to be construed accordingly);

  • “sufficient”, in relation to activities or facilities, means sufficient having regard to quantity;

  • “well-being”, in relation to a person, means his well-being so far as relating to—

    1. a

      physical and mental health and emotional well-being;

    2. b

      protection from harm and neglect;

    3. c

      education, training and recreation;

    4. d

      the contribution made by him to society;

    5. e

      social and economic well-being.