(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Community Charges (Deductions from Income Support) (Scotland) Regulations 1989 (“the principal regulations”) in the following respects–
1. Regulation 2 adds the definitions “married couple”, “polygamous marriage” and “unmarried couple” to regulation 1 (interpretation) of the principal regulations;
2. Regulation 5 amends regulation 5 of the principal regulations which deals with appeals to make it clear that where a decision of a Tribunal of Commissioners is not unanimous, the decision shall be that of the majority and it allows for refusal of leave to be dealt with by the tribunal chairman or a Commissioner;
3. Regulation 10 amends Schedule 2, paragraph 13 of the principal regulations which is in that part which deals with oral hearings to provide for the attendance of a regional or full-time chairman of appeal tribunals at oral hearings of social security appeal tribunals as of right; amends paragraph 25 which deals with directions to provide that applications for directions from a Commissioner must be given in writing, stating the grounds for the application; allows a Commissioner of his own motion to postpone or adjourn an oral hearing and for nominated officers to set aside any witness summons made by a nominated officer.
The remaining amendments to the principal regulations are of a minor drafting nature or consequential to the amendments set out above.