132.This section deals with the action to be taken by the Commission following inspection of a local authority in England. By subsection (1) the Commission must notify the Secretary of State at any time if it considers that a local authority does not satisfy the regulatory requirements, where the failure is substantial.
133.The Commission must also report to the Secretary of State following the exercise of its powers of inspection, and at the expiry of any time limit for improvement specified in a notice given to the local authority under subsection (5) (see below). At such times, the Secretary of State must be notified whether a local authority satisfies the regulatory requirements, or fails to do so. Alternatively, the Commission may, if it considers appropriate, give the local authority a notice under subsection (5) and inform the Secretary of State that it has done so. A notice under subsection (5) specifies those areas or issues in which the authority fails to satisfy the regulatory requirements and what action it should take to remedy the failure. The notice also imposes time constraints within which a failure should be remedied. At the end of the period specified in any notice, the Commission must notify the Secretary of State whether or not the local authority now satisfies the regulatory requirements.
134.Where the Commission has made a report to the Secretary of State to the effect that a local authority is not meeting regulatory requirements, subsection (6) applies so that the Commission is relieved of its duty of inspection until the Secretary of State notifies the Commission that subsection (6) ceases to apply. The purpose of this provision is to avoid duplication of powers and duties in the event that the Secretary of State decides to take enforcement action in respect of the local authority.
135.These powers do not apply in Wales since the National Assembly for Wales will both undertake regulatory responsibility and have enforcement powers in respect of the local authority.
Commentary on Sections Part Iii  Local Authority Services Section 47 Action following inspection