Territorial Extent and Devolution Accountability of certain public bodies in Wales Section 4: Studies at request of educational bodies
17.This section adds a new section 145B to the GOWA. Section 145B(1) of the GOWA enables the Auditor General, at the request of certain bodies, to undertake studies, in respect of certain educational bodies in the higher and further education sectors in Wales, which are designed to enable the Auditor General to make recommendations for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the discharge of the functions of the body to which the study relates. Such studies may also include recommendations for improving the financial or other management of any such body or bodies. Section 145B(4) of the GOWA enables the Auditor General to advise the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales in relation to the exercise of certain of its functions. Section 145B(5) of the GOWA enables the Auditor General to advise higher and further education corporations in Wales on the appointment of auditors. In addition, with his agreement one or more members of his staff may be appointed, by such a corporation, to be the auditor(s) of the corporation’s accounts. This is an equivalent power to that in section 36 of the ACA which applies in respect of similar bodies in England. Section 145B(2) of the GOWA provides that the power of the Auditor General under this section does not entitle him to question the merits of the policy objectives of the body/bodies subject to the study.