b'The most commonly used of these specific trading powers was the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 (the 1970 Act), which permitted (and indeed still permits) local authorities to trade with other designated public bodies. Trading with other local authorities and public bodies 2.7 The 1970 Act permits local authorities to enter into agreements with other public bodies for four main purposes, namely: the supply of goods or materials; provision of administrative, technical or professional services; the use of vehicles, plant or apparatus; and for undertaking maintenance works. Local authorities are public bodies for the purpose of the 1970 Act, but the scope of this definition has been widened extensively by Order and through other legislation. It now applies to a large number of other organisations, which are now designated as public bodies. However, restrictions have been placed on many of the designated bodies, so it is advisable to refer to the specific statutory instrument making the relevant organisation a public body to ensure that the designation is clear, and that the contemplated activity it permitted, before relying on these powers. A list of all public bodies so far designated can be found below at 5.15. Administrative, professional and technical services and works of maintenance have been construed broadly as depicted in cases such as R v Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation and British Educational Suppliers Association (1997) Times, 10 July. In this case the Court of Appeal held that the 1970 Act empowered local authorities to trade for profit, purchase supplies necessary for trading operations and to undertake speculative trading. Unfortunately, well-being powers introduced under section 3 of the Local Government Act 2000 (the 2000 Act) did little to clarify the issue, mainly due to the express prohibition on the use of well-being powers to raise moneywhether by precepts, borrowing or otherwise. The Labour Government administration introduced several wide enabling powers to help mitigate the effect of the ultra vires doctrine for local government. The Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997 proved the key to progressing long-term contracts via the PFI programme and gave the market confidence to fund such schemes following the notorious court cases of the 1990s, eg Credit Suisse v Allerdale Borough Council (1997) QB 306. Widely drafted well-being powers were also introduced via sections 2 and 3 of the 2000 Act and which were described by the Communities and Local Government Department (DCLG) to be powers of first resort. Section 2(4) of the 2000 Act provided examples of how the well-being powers could be used, for example to enter into arrangements or agreements with any person (section 2(4)(c)), or to provide staff, goods, services or accommodation to any person (section 2(4)(f)). 43'