235.Section 58 defines “relevant public authority” for the purposes of Part 4 of the Act. Some of the sections in Part 4 that relate to the provision of information apply specifically to relevant public authorities whilst others do not allow for information to be requested from such authorities.
236.Subsection (1) provides that the Welsh Ministers and a number of other public authorities are “relevant public authorities” for the purposes of Part 4. Those other public authorities are: Natural Resources Wales, county councils and county borough councils in Wales, National Park Authorities in Wales, the Coal Authority, and Fire and Rescue Authorities for areas in Wales.
237.Subsection (3) provides that the Welsh Ministers may make regulations to amend the meaning of “relevant public authority” in subsection (1). In accordance with subsection (4), such regulations may not include a public authority within the definition of “relevant public authority” unless that authority is a “devolved Welsh authority” within the meaning of section 157A(1)(a) of the Government of Wales Act 2006. This means that a public authority can only be included within the definition of “relevant public authority” if its functions are exercisable only in relation to Wales and are wholly or mainly functions that do not relate to reserved matters.
Commentary on Sections Overview of Part 4 Section 58 – Meaning of “relevant public authority”