Commentary Part 7 – Miscellaneous and Supplementary Section 39: Code of practice on local authority publicity
134.This section amends the Local Government Act 1986 to provide the Secretary of State with the power to give directions and make orders requiring local authorities in England to comply with one or more of the recommendations made in a code of practice issued under section 4 of that Act (a Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity). The Secretary of State may give a direction to a single named authority, or to a number of named authorities, requiring compliance with some or all of the Code. The section also sets out the procedures to be followed prior to giving a direction and for the withdrawal or modification of a direction. The power to require compliance with a Code by all authorities in a particular class, or by all authorities to which the Code applies, is to be exercised by order, subject to the draft affirmative procedure.