Regulation 1 Citation, commencement and interpretation

These Regulations may be cited as the Local Authorities (Charges for Specified Welfare Services) (England) Regulations 2003 and shall come into force on 1st April 2003.

In these Regulations—

• ““the qualifying date” is 31st March 2003, except that where, in respect of any person in receipt of a welfare service, that day falls within a rent free period, the qualifying date shall be the day immediately preceding the start of the rent free period”;

• “relevant authority” means—

  1. (a)

     a district council for an area for which there is not also a county council (a “unitary district authority”);

  2. (b)

     where the district council for an area is not a unitary district council, the county council;

  3. (c)

     a London Borough Council;

  4. (d)

     the Common Council of the City of London;

  5. (e)

     the Council of the Isles of Scilly,

• “rent free period” has the meaning given in regulation 70 of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987^f1; and

• “welfare service” includes a service which provides support, assistance, advice or counselling to individuals with particular needs.