Section 96: Procedure for regulations under section 95., Water Industry Act 1991

The Secretary of State may make regulations under section 95 above—

on an application by the Authority, in accordance with subsections (1) to (3) below; or

otherwise than on such an application, in accordance with subsections (4) to (8) below.

Where the Authority has made to the Secretary of State a written application complying with subsection (2) below, the Secretary of State may make regulations under section 95 above if—

such period as the Secretary of State considers appropriate has been allowed for the making—

by the Authority; and

by any affected sewerage undertaker or person or body on whom a copy of the application has been served under paragraph (b) above,

of representations or objections with respect to the Authority's proposals and any modifications proposed by the Secretary of State; and

the Secretary of State has considered the summary mentioned in subsection (2)(bb) below, the Authority's reasons for its proposals and every representation or objection which has been duly made with respect to those proposals, or any proposed modifications of those proposals, and has not been withdrawn.

Before making an application to the Secretary of State under this section the Authority shall arrange for such research as it considers appropriate with a view to discovering the views of a representative sample of persons likely to be affected and consider the results.

An application made by the Authority to the Secretary of State complies with this subsection if it—

sets out the Authority's proposals for the making of regulations under section 95 above;

specifies the sewerage undertaker or undertakers in relation to which it is proposed the regulations should apply

is accompanied by a written summary of the results of the research carried out in accordance with subsection (1A) above;; and

summarises the Authority's reasons for its proposals.

The Secretary of State shall not make any regulations on an application by the Authority under this section except where—

the only provisions of the regulations are those which in the opinion of the Secretary of State give effect to the proposals set out in the Authority's application or to those proposals with such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate; and

each of the modifications (if any) of the Authority's proposals to which effect is given by the regulations is a modification the proposal to make which has been notified—

to the Authority; . . .

to any sewerage undertaker appearing to the Secretary of State to be likely to be affected by the modifications and

to any person or body on whom a copy of the Authority's application was served under subsection (1)(b) above.

Where no such application as is mentioned in subsection (1) above has been made, the Secretary of State may make regulations under section 95 above only if he considers—

that the regulations will contribute towards the attainment of policies relating to public health or the environment; or

(if he does not consider that they will so contribute) that there are exceptional reasons why it is otherwise in the public interest that the regulations should be made.

Before making regulations under section 95 above by virtue of subsection (4) above, the Secretary of State shall—

give notice of his proposals;

consider the results of the research carried out in accordance with subsection (7) below; and

consider every representation or objection with respect to the proposals which has been duly made and not withdrawn.

A notice under subsection (5)(a) above must—

summarise the Secretary of State's reasons for his proposals;

specify the sewerage undertaker or undertakers in relation to which it is proposed the regulations should apply; and

specify the period within which objections or representations with respect to the proposals may be made.

Before giving notice under subsection (5)(a) above the Secretary of State shall arrange for such research as he considers appropriate with a view to discovering the views of a representative sample of persons likely to be affected.

A notice under subsection (5)(a) above shall be given by serving a copy on—

the Authority;

the Council;

every sewerage undertaker to which the regulations will apply;

persons or bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of persons likely to be affected by the regulations; and

such other persons or bodies as the Secretary of State may consider appropriate.

Section 96: Procedure for regulations under section 95.

Discussed in

About this text