Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007

Determining prioritiesU.K.

5Forward work programmes [F1of the GCCNI]U.K.

(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). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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and must consider any representations which are duly made and not withdrawn.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

F14(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(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.]

6 General provision about functions [F17 of the GCCNI] U.K.

(1) In exercising its functions [F18 the GCCNI] must comply with the requirements of this section.

(2)[F19 The GCCNI] must have regard to the forward work programme published under section 5.

(3)[F20 The GCCNI] must have regard to the interests of consumers in different areas.

(4)[F21 The GCCNI] must have regard to the interests of consumers that are one or more of the following—

(a)disabled or chronically sick individuals;

(b)individuals of pensionable age;

(c)individuals with low incomes;

(d)individuals residing in rural areas.

(5)But nothing in subsection (4) is to be taken as implying that regard may not be had to the interests of other descriptions of consumers.

(6)[F22 The GCCNI] must have regard to the need to use its resources in the most efficient and economic way.

(7) In discharging the duty imposed by subsection (6), [F23 the GCCNI] must take account of the existence of any other public bodies with the same functions as, or similar functions to, those of [F23 the GCCNI] and the activities carried on by such bodies.

(8)[F24The GCCNI] must exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.

F25(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10)A person is of pensionable age for the purposes of this section if—

(a)the person has attained pensionable age (within the meaning given by the rules in paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to the Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26)), or

(b)in the case of a man born before[F26 6 December 1953], he is the same age as a woman who has attained pensionable age (within the meaning so given).

[F276AExercise of functions of consumer advocacy bodiesU.K.

Subject to section 13 (investigation of complaints relating to the disconnection of gas or electricity), nothing in this Part imposes on a consumer advocacy body a duty to exercise any of its functions on behalf of or at the request of a particular consumer.]