Part 7

Best value

Powers to modify enactments etc

Power of Welsh Ministers to modify enactments obstructing best value etc
142
1
In section 16 of the Local Government Act 1999 (c. 27)
(power to modify enactments and confer new powers)—
a
in the title, after “Power” insert “ of Secretary of State ”;
b
after subsection (5) insert—
6
In this section—
a
“enactment” includes subordinate legislation (within the meaning of section 21 of the Interpretation Act 1978);
b
references to a best value authority do not include a Welsh best value authority.
2
After section 17 of that Act insert—

Power of Welsh Ministers to modify enactments and confer new powers
17A
1
If the Welsh Ministers think that an enactment prevents or obstructs compliance by Welsh best value authorities with the requirements of this Part they may by order make provision modifying or excluding the application of the enactment in relation to—
a
all Welsh best value authorities,
b
particular Welsh best value authorities, or
c
particular descriptions of Welsh best value authority.
2
The Welsh Ministers may by order make provision conferring on—
a
all Welsh best value authorities,
b
particular Welsh best value authorities, or
c
particular descriptions of Welsh best value authority,
any power which they consider necessary or expedient to permit or facilitate compliance with the requirements of this Part.
3
An order under this section may—
a
impose conditions on the exercise of any power conferred by the order (including conditions about consultation or approval);
b
amend an enactment;
c
include consequential, incidental and transitional provision;
d
make different provision for different cases.
4
The power under subsection (3)(d) includes, in particular, power to make different provision in relation to different authorities or descriptions of authority.
5
An order under this section may not make a provision which, if it were a provision of a Measure of the National Assembly for Wales, would be outside the Assembly's legislative competence.
6
For the purposes of subsection (5), section 94(4) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 has effect as if paragraph (a)
(matters within legislative competence) were omitted.
7
Subject to subsection (8), no order shall be made under this section unless a draft has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.
8
An order under this section which is made only for the purpose of amending an earlier order under this section—
a
so as to extend the earlier order, or any provision of the earlier order, to a particular authority or to authorities of a particular description, or
b
so that the earlier order, or any provision of the earlier order, ceases to apply to a particular authority or to authorities of a particular description,
shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.
9
In exercising a power conferred under subsection (2) a Welsh best value authority shall have regard to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.
10
In this section, “enactment” includes subordinate legislation (within the meaning of section 21 of the Interpretation Act 1978).

Orders under section 17A: procedure
17B
1
Before the Welsh Ministers make an order under section 17A they shall consult such authorities or persons as appear to them to be representative of interests affected by their proposals.
2
If, following consultation under subsection (1), the Welsh Ministers propose to make an order under section 17A they shall lay before the National Assembly for Wales a document explaining their proposals and, in particular—
a
setting them out in the form of a draft order, and
b
giving details of consultation under subsection (1).
3
Where a document relating to proposals is laid before the National Assembly for Wales under subsection (2), no draft of an order under section 17A to give effect to the proposals (with or without modification) shall be laid before the National Assembly for Wales until after the expiry of the period of sixty days beginning with the day on which the document was laid.
4
In calculating the period mentioned in subsection (3) no account shall be taken of any time during which the National Assembly is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.
5
In preparing a draft order under section 17A the Welsh Ministers shall consider any representations made during the period mentioned in subsection (3) above.
6
A draft order laid before the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with section 17A(7) shall be accompanied by a statement of the Welsh Ministers giving details of—
a
any representations considered in accordance with subsection (5) above, and
b
any changes made to the proposals contained in the document laid before the National Assembly for Wales under subsection (2) above.
7
Nothing in this section applies to an order under section 17A which is made only for the purpose mentioned in section 17A(8).
3
Until the commencement of section 144(1), in the provisions inserted by this section references to a Welsh best value authority have effect as if they were references to an authority which is a best value authority in Wales for the purposes of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999 (c. 27), other than a police authority for a police area in Wales.
S. 142 in force at 30.12.2007, see s. 245(2)