Part 1THE CONSUMER ADVOCACY BODIES

Determining priorities

5Forward work programmes F1of the GCCNI

(1)

F2The GCCNI must F3before each programme year publish a document (the “forward work programme”) containing—

(a)

a statement of any priorities of F4the GCCNI for the year in relation to designated consumers generally or any description of designated consumers;

(b)

a general description of the main activities (including any projects) which it plans to undertake during the year in relation to designated consumers generally or any description of designated consumers;

(c)

a statement of any other priorities of F5the GCCNI for the year;

(d)

a general description of any other projects which it plans to undertake during the year (other than those comprising routine activities in the exercise of its functions).

(2)

The description of a project under subsection (1)(b) or (d) must include the objectives of the project.

(3)

The forward work programme for any year must also include—

(a)

an estimate of the overall expenditure which F6the GCCNI expects to incur during the year in the exercise of its functions, and

(b)

an estimate of the expenditure (if any) which F7the GCCNI expects to incur during the year in the exercise of its functions in relation to designated consumers.

F8(4)

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F9(4A)

In preparing a draft of the forward work programme for any year, the GCCNI must consult—

(a)

Citizens Advice , and

(b)

F10Consumer Scotland .

(5)

Before publishing the forward work programme for any year, F11the GCCNI must publish a notice—

(a)

containing a draft of the forward work programme, and

(b)

specifying the period within which representations about the proposals contained in it may be made,

and must consider any representations which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(6)

The notice under subsection (5) must be published by F12the GCCNI in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters contained in the notice to the attention of persons likely to have an interest in them.

(7)

F13The GCCNI must send a copy of any notice given by it under subsection (5) to—

(a)

the Secretary of State,

F14(b)

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F14(c)

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(d)

the Office of Fair Trading, and

(e)

any regulatory body which F15the GCCNI considers might have an interest in the content of the notice.

F16(8)

References in this section to “designated consumers” are references to designated consumers who are consumers in relation to postal services in Northern Ireland.

(9)

In this section “programme year” means—

(a)

the period beginning on 1st April 2014 and ending with the next following 31st March, and

(b)

each successive period of 12 months.