139BAInteraction with Audit Commission

1

A person authorised under section 139A(1) must from time to time, or at such times as the Secretary of State may specify by order, prepare—

a

a document setting out what inspections of English authorities he proposes to carry out (an “inspection programme”);

b

a document setting out the way in which he proposes to carry out his functions of inspecting and reporting on such authorities (an “inspection framework”).

2

The person authorised under section 139A(1) must—

a

consult the Audit Commission before preparing an inspection programme or an inspection framework; and

b

once an inspection programme or inspection framework is prepared, send a copy of it to—

i

the Secretary of State; and

ii

the Audit Commission.

3

The Secretary of State may by order specify the form that inspection programmes or inspection frameworks must take.

4

A person authorised under section 139A(1)—

a

must co-operate with the Audit Commission, and

b

may act jointly with the Audit Commission,

where it is appropriate to do so for the efficient and effective discharge of the person's functions in relation to English authorities.

5

In this section—

• “the Audit Commission” means the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England;

• “English authorities” means authorities administering housing benefit or council tax benefit in England;

• “person” does not include the Audit Commission.