30 October 2007
361.This section inserts a new section 3A in the Local Government Act 1999. Subsection (1) of this new section places a duty on best value authorities (apart from police authorities and Welsh best value authorities) to involve representatives of local persons in the exercise of their functions, where they consider that it is appropriate to do so. Subsection (1) provides for best value authorities to determine if and how representatives should be involved, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State (subsection (5)). It sets out that best value authorities will need to consider each of three ways of securing the involvement of representatives of local persons in the exercise of their functions, namely informing them, consulting them and involving them in other ways.
362.Subsection (2) establishes that the duty to involve local representatives does not grant best value authorities any additional powers. This subsection also clarifies that, where there is a conflict between this duty and another duty, the latter takes precedence.
363.Subsection (3) sets out those best value authorities who are not subject to the new duty. It also enables the Secretary of State to provide additional exemptions from the duty by secondary legislation subject to the negative resolution procedure.
364.Subsection (6) clarifies what is meant by certain terms, including “local person” and “representative”.
The term local person refers to any person likely to be affected by or interested in the exercise of the relevant function of a best value authority. This could include a group or organisation. Under new section 3A, a best value authority might decide to involve representatives of individual citizens, local residents or service users, community groups, voluntary sector organisations or businesses (amongst others) in the exercise of its functions.
The term representative refers to individuals or groups who appear to the best value authority to be typical of those likely to be affected by, or interested in, the exercise of the authority’s functions.