Section 17O: Modification of licences following report, Water Industry Act 1991

Where a report of the CMA on a reference under section 17K above—

includes conclusions to the effect that any of the matters specified in the reference operate, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest;

specifies effects adverse to the public interest which those matters have or may be expected to have;

includes conclusions to the effect that those effects could be remedied or prevented by modifications of the relevant conditions; and

specifies modifications by which those effects could be remedied or prevented,

the Authority shall, subject to the following provisions of this section, make such modifications of the relevant conditions as appear to it requisite for the purpose of remedying or preventing the adverse effects specified in the report.

Where at any time it modifies under subsection (1) above—

the standard conditions of water supply licences or sewerage licences, or

the standard conditions of water supply licences or sewerage licences that grant a particular authorisation or combination of authorisations,

in consequence of a reference under section 17K(2) above, the Authority may make such incidental or consequential modifications as it considers necessary or expedient of any conditions of licences of that description.

Before making modifications under this section, the Authority shall have regard to the modifications specified in the report.

Before making modifications under this section, the Authority shall give notice—

stating that it proposes to make the modifications and setting out their effect;

stating the reasons why it proposes to make the modifications; and

specifying the period (not being less than twenty-eight days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,

and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

A notice under subsection (4) above shall be given—

by publishing the notice in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters to which the notice relates to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications;

by serving a copy of the notice on the holder of the licence in question or, as the case may be, the relevant licence holders; and

by serving a copy of the notice on—

the Council;

the Secretary of State;

in a case relating to a water supply licence or licences, the Assembly; and

the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water.

After considering any representations or objections made in response to proposals set out in a notice under subsection (4) above, the Authority shall give notice to the CMA—

setting out the modifications it proposes to make to remedy or prevent the adverse effects specified in the report; and

stating the reasons for making the modifications.

The Authority shall include with the notice under subsection (6) above a copy of any representations or objections received in relation to the notice under subsection (4) above.

If the period of four weeks from the date on which the notice under subsection (6) above is given elapses without a direction under section 17P(1)(a) below having been given to it, the Authority shall—

make the modifications set out in the notice; or

if a direction under section 17P(1)(b) below has been given, make the modifications which are not specified in the direction.

The modification under subsection (1) above of part of a standard condition of a particular licence in consequence of a reference under section 17K(1) above shall not prevent any other part of the condition from continuing to be regarded as a standard condition for the purposes of this Chapter.

Section 17O: Modification of licences following report

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