Part 4: Local authority support Section 59: Annual reports
This section places a duty on relevant local authorities to submit an annual report, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year, to the Secretary of State on the exercise of the functions under this Part. This annual reporting requirement will help the Government and others to monitor how the new duties on local authorities are working, understand where there may be challenges and how the funding is being used, and help identify and disseminate good practice.
	The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make provision about both the form and content of the annual report (subsection (2)). A standardised annual reporting framework will assist local authorities in reporting back to the Government on the delivery and outcomes of the new duties, as well as better enabling comparisons to be made across local authority areas.