Part 1The National Consumer Council
Determining priorities
6General provision about functions
1
In exercising its functions the Council must comply with the requirements of this section.
2
The Council must have regard to the forward work programme published under section 5.
3
The Council must have regard to the interests of consumers in different areas.
4
The Council 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
The Council 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), the Council must take account of the existence of any other public bodies with the same functions as, or similar functions to, those of the Council and the activities carried on by such bodies.
8
The Council must exercise its functions in the manner which it considers is best calculated to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
9
Subject to section 13 (investigation of complaints relating to disconnection of gas or electricity), nothing in this Part imposes on the Council a duty to exercise any of its functions on behalf of or at the request of a particular consumer.
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 6 April 1955, he is the same age as a woman who has attained pensionable age (within the meaning so given).