F195[132.—(1) It is the duty of every chief executive to carry into effect all lawful directions of the elected council of a local authority or a joint body for which he or she is chief executive in relation to the exercise and performance of the reserved functions of the local authority or joint body.

(2)(a) Where in relation to the exercise or performance of a reserved function a legal opinion was obtained by a local authority or joint body, the elected council or joint body may, without prejudice to section 153, by resolution direct that a second such opinion be obtained by the authority in the terms specified in such resolution.

(b) Nothing in this subsection shall prejudice a local authority or joint body in carrying out any function which the authority or body is required by or under statute or by order of a court to duly carry out.

(3) It is the duty of every chief executive to advise and assist the elected council of a local authority or a joint body for which he or she is chief executive and to assist the corporate policy group, each strategic policy committee and local community development committee within the administrative area of which he or she is chief executive—

(a) generally as regards the exercise or performance by—

(i) the council of the local authority or joint body, of its reserved functions, and

(ii) by the strategic policy committee or local community development committee, of its functions in relation to the reserved function of the local authority or joint body,

and

(b) as regards any particular matter or thing in relation to such exercise or performance on or in respect of which the council of a local authority, joint body, corporate policy group, strategic policy committee or local community development committee requests the advice or assistance of the chief executive,

and each shall have regard to that advice or assistance.

(4) In subsections (1) to (3) a reference to the elected council of a local authority includes a reference to the municipal district members when duly exercising a reserved function.

(5) For the purposes of superintendence and oversight by the elected council in the discharge of functions conferred on the elected council by law, the chief executive shall, when requested by the elected council, report on the actions already taken and planned to be taken to carry out the directions of the elected council of a local authority or a joint body for which he or she is chief executive in relation to the exercise and performance of the reserved functions of the local authority or joint body.

(6) Following consideration of a report referred to in subsection (5) or a management report as provided for in section 136(2), the elected council may, by resolution, adopt a statement indicating that it is the opinion of the elected council that the actions already taken or planned to be taken by the chief executive to carry out the directions of the elected council in relation to the exercise and performance of the reserved functions of the local authority or joint body are not sufficient for such purpose, or are not sufficient to ensure the efficient discharge of such function, and such resolution shall state the reasons for such opinion.

(7) Within 14 days of the adoption of a statement pursuant to subsection (6), the chief executive shall provide to the elected council a response indicating the changes, if any, to the actions or intended actions he or she will put in place, and where the chief executive considers it so warranted, may indicate where in his or her opinion the policy of the council requires review and amendment.

(8) The chief executive shall, when requested by the elected council, whether consequent on the council’s consideration of the chief executive’s response for the purposes of subsection (7) or otherwise, advise on the review of any policy, or a review of the implementation of any policy, of the local authority (being a policy approved as a reserved function) by the local authority or joint body.]