# The Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008, Article 20: Other functions of shadow authority


(1) During the shadow period the shadow authority shall have, in addition to the functions specified or referred to in articles 16 to 19, the functions described in this article, and such other functions as may be conferred on them by—
(a) a subsequent order made under section 7 of the 2007 Act by virtue of section 14 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (power to amend),
(b) an order under section 20 of the 2007 Act (correction of orders), or
(c) regulations under section 14 of the 2007 Act (regulations for supplementing orders).
(2) The shadow authority shall take all such practicable steps as are necessary or expedient—
(a) to commence and sustain its running as a shadow authority;
(b) to prepare the authority for the assumption, as the Central Bedfordshire Council, of local government functions and full local authority powers on 1st April 2009;
(c) to prepare any budgets or plans required by the Central Bedfordshire Council when those functions are assumed; and
(d) to liaise with the County Council and the district councils for the purpose of ensuring continuity of the delivery of public services on and after 1st April 2009.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), the shadow authority shall have all other powers of a non-metropolitan county council and a non-metropolitan district council.
(4) The powers conferred by paragraph (3) may be exercised by the shadow authority only—
(a) in the discharge of the functions specified or referred to in this article (including those specified or referred to in articles 16 to 19), and
(b) in the same manner, and subject to the same conditions and limitations, as if it were a non-metropolitan county council or a non-metropolitan district council, and
(c) where the exercise of the power would involve incurring expenditure or acquiring a liability—
(i) with the prior consent of the County Council, where the expenditure or liability relates to a matter which, before 1st April 2009, is the responsibility of that Council; or
(ii) where the expenditure or liability relates to a matter which, before 1st April 2009, is the responsibility of either of the district councils, with the prior consent of that council.
(5) The total of the expenditure properly incurred by the shadow authority shall be divided among, and paid by, the County Council and the district councils in such proportion as may be agreed between Bedford Borough Council, the County Council and the district councils; but, where the shadow authority notifies the Secretary of State that there is no such agreement, the Secretary of State may—
(a) determine the proportion in which that expenditure is to be divided and paid; or
(b) appoint an arbitrator for that purpose.
(6) The following provisions of the 1972 Act shall apply in relation to the shadow authority, notwithstanding that it does not have the functions and full powers of a local authority:
Part or section of 1972 Act
Description
Section 3
Chairman
Section 5
Vice-chairman
Parts 5 and 5A
General provisions as to members and proceedings of local authorities, access to meetings and documents of certain authorities, committees and sub-committees
Section 103
Expenses of joint committees
Section 106
Standing orders
Section 146
Transfer of securities on alteration of area, etc
Section 178
Regulations as to allowances
(7) The shadow authority shall, notwithstanding that it does not have the functions and full powers of a local authority, be treated—
(a) for the purposes of Part 2 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Audit Commission Act 1998 (accounts and audit of public bodies), as a local authority (and, therefore, a body subject to audit); but sections 11A, 19 and 30 to 32 in that Part, and references in that Part to those sections, shall be treated as omitted,
(b) for the purposes of section 101 of the 2000 Act (indemnification of members and officers of relevant authorities), as a relevant authority,
(c) for the purposes of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003 (capital finance etc and accounts), as a local authority, and
(d) for the purposes of the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001, as a relevant authority.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2008/9780110811833/article/20 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-bedfordshire-structural-changes-order-2008/article-20
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.