214.Part V introduces a specific power that will enable relevant authorities to pay compensation to individuals where they are satisfied that maladministration has, or may have, occurred. There is also provision to enable both the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales (NAW) to make orders to confer a power on relevant authorities to offer insurance against indemnity to their members and officers.
215.This Part of the Act provides for changes to Part VA of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to access to information. It also provides for changes necessary to the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 resulting from measures in Part II of this Act and provisions on allowances and pensions for local authority members.
216.Part V also allows local authorities to charge parents in receipt of Working Families’ Tax Credit and Disabled Person’s Tax Credit for the childcare provided by these authorities. This would not apply to parents whose children are defined as “in need” by section 17(10) of the Children Act 1989 or people on benefits who currently receive free local authority childcare; these parents will continue to receive local authority childcare free of charge.
217.Finally, Part V also amends section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986, which prohibits local authorities from promoting homosexuality.
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