Commentary on Sections Part 12 - Sentencing Chapter 4 : Further provisions about orders under Chapters 2 and 3 Section 218: Availability of arrangements in local area
547.This section obliges the court to ensure that certain requirements are available in the local area before imposing them. Under subsection (1) unpaid work is one such requirement. Subsection (2) applies the obligation to an activity requirement, and subsection (3) to an attendance centre requirement. Subsections (4) to (8) prevent a court from imposing an electronic monitoring requirement unless the Secretary of State has notified the court that electronic monitoring is available and can be provided in the relevant areas.