(1) The Ombudsman may,
if the Ombudsman considers it to be in the public interest to do so, conduct a
review of the practices and procedures (or of any aspect of the practices or
procedures) of one or more councils or council committees under Part 3 or Part
4.
(2) The Ombudsman may,
in carrying out a review under this section, exercise the powers of the
Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1972 as if carrying out an
investigation under that Act, subject to such modifications as may be
necessary, or as may be prescribed.
(3) At the conclusion
of a review under this section, the Ombudsman may prepare a report on any
aspect of the review.
(4) A report may make
recommendations to a council or councils.
(5) The Ombudsman must
supply a copy of any report to—
(a) the
Minister; and
(b) any
council that was under review, or that has (or had) a council committee that
was under review,
and may also publish any report, a part of any report, or a summary of any
report, in such manner as the Ombudsman thinks fit.
(6) The Minister may
also publish any report, a part of any report, or a summary of any report, in
such manner as the Minister thinks fit.
(7) This section does
not limit powers of investigation under other provisions of this or another
Act.