Purpose of undertakings
When the Committee finds an issue in delegated legislation, it may request an undertaking from the relevant local government or Minister to fix the issue (for example, by amending the delegated legislation).
A person or body giving an undertaking commits to do certain actions within a certain timeframe, for example to:
- amend delegated legislation within a certain timeframe (usually 6 months) and not enforce it in the meantime;
- provide a copy of the undertakings wherever the delegated legislation is publicly available (such as at a local government office or on a website);
- provide a copy of the minutes of the meeting at which the council of a local government resolved to provide an undertaking.
Giving an undertaking to a Parliamentary Committee is a serious matter. A failure to comply with an undertaking may be reported to the Legislative Council for further action.