1330.This section inserts a new section 25B into the 2002 Act. It empowers the Authority to provide advice or auditing services to the regulatory bodies, or to bodies with functions that correspond to those of the regulatory bodies, whether or not these relate to health or social care.
1331.A compulsory fee, determined by the Authority, will be paid by the bodies to which it provides advice. However, the Authority may only provide advice or auditing services under new section 25B if doing so would assist it in the performance of its functions, apart from its function of providing advice, reports or investigations to the Secretary of State or the devolved administrations under section 26A.
1332.Subsections (2) and (3) amend the power under section 28 of the 2002 Act which enables the Secretary of State to make regulations about the investigation by the Authority of complaints made to it about the regulatory bodies. The Secretary of State's power to make regulations will be conferred on the Privy Council instead. These regulations, as now, will be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.