Summary and Background Part 1: Marine Management Organisation Power to enter into agreements Section 15: Agreement between the MMO and eligible bodies
84.This section enables the MMO, with the approval of the Secretary of State, to make agreements with bodies listed in section 16 authorising those bodies to perform the MMO’s functions on its behalf. This is to enable the MMO to make arrangements for the most effective discharge of its functions as these bodies may be better placed (because of their resources, expertise or other such reason) to carry out the MMO’s function in a particular area.
85.Under such an agreement a body may be authorised to carry out the function generally or only in specified cases or areas. Any such agreements may be altered only by agreement between the MMO and the relevant body, and with the approval of the Secretary of State.
86.The Secretary of State must review any agreements between the MMO and eligible bodies every 5 years and may, if appropriate, cancel an agreement. Section 21 also provides that any agreement under section 15 must be in writing and published in order to bring it to the attention of people likely to be affected by it.