Commentary on Sections Part 2: New Regulatory Arrangements, Etc 115. .Section 38: Forward work programmes and annual reports.
This section adds two new sections (192A and 192B) to the WIA and repeals sections 193 and 194 of the same Act.
116.New section 192A requires both the Authority and, separately, the Council to publish before each financial year a forward work programme. The forward work programmes should contain a general description of projects apart from routine activities, which the Council or Authority plans to undertake during the year, including associated objectives and an estimate of the overall expenditure for the year. The Authority and the Council must both consult on drafts of the programmes.
117.New section 192B requires the Authority to produce, for the Secretary of State, an annual report on its activities, and those of the Competition Commission in respect of any references made by it, during the previous financial year. The report shall include a general survey of development of matters falling within the scope of its functions, a report on progress of projects described in the forward work programme for that year, a summary of orders and penalties imposed and a report on any matter which it is required to report on as a result of a requirement by the Secretary of State or the Assembly.
118.The Secretary of State shall lay the report before each House of Parliament and publish it. A copy of each report must be sent to the Assembly, Council and Drinking Water Inspectorate.
119.Subsection (8) in new section 192B provides that the Authority shall have regard to excluding information which might be prejudicial to the interests of an individual or body.