Explanatory Notes

Commentary on Sections

Part 7 – Communities and Community councils

Section 135 – Accreditation of quality in community government: criteriaSection 136 – Accreditation of quality in community government: applicationsSection 137 – Accreditation of quality in community government: feesSection 138 – Accreditation of quality in community government: removal of accreditationSection 139 – Applications for accreditation of quality in community government: delegation of functionsSection 140 – Accreditation of quality in community government consequences

153.These provisions support section 134. If the Welsh Ministers make regulations for an accreditation scheme, the regulations:

• must set criteria to be met on an application for accreditation. These may cover the matters listed in section 135(2), but would not be limited to these;

• must set out the requirements for a valid application for accreditation (section 136);

• may set fees for an application for accreditation (section 137);

• must set out the grounds for the removal of accreditation status awarded and for the review of accreditation status awarded (section 138).

154.Section 139 would allow the Welsh Ministers to arrange for another person (which need not be a public authority) to operate the accreditation scheme.

155.Section 140 enables the Welsh Ministers, by regulations, to remove or alter statutory impediments from accredited community councils (for example, because they have achieved a certain standard of performance) and to place impediments in the way of unaccredited community councils (for example, because they are unable to show that they have achieved a certain standard).