Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2005/3/notes/division/3/data.xht?view=snippet&wrap=true
Timestamp: 2018-12-13 17:05:00
Document Index: 298893062

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 1']

Part 1: Water Industry Commission and Customer Panels
Section 2: Dissolution of office of Commissioner
9.Section 2 provides for Scottish Ministers to specify an appointed day to dissolve the office of the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland, given that it is replaced by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland, as described above.
Section 3: Customer Panels
10.Section 3 amends provision in Part 1 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 relating to the Water Customer Consultation Panels, customer representation and investigating customer complaints. The Water Customer Consultation Panels (“Customer Panels”) and the Convener of those Panels are appointed by virtue of section 2 of, and Part 1 of schedule 1 to, the 2002 Act.
11.Subsection (1) replaces sections 2(3) to (5) of the 2002 Act, which made provision in relation to the functions of a Customer Panel, including its duty to publish reports, and in relation to the duty of the Water Industry Commissioner to have regard to representations, recommendations or reports made by a Customer Panel, with new subsections (3) to (5D).
12.New subsection 2(3) of the 2002 Act provides that the general function of the Customer Panels is to represent the views and interests of those whose premises are connected to the public water supply and sewerage systems, or might reasonably become connected to those systems.
13.New subsection 2(4) to the 2002 Act places a duty on Customer Panels to publish reports on matters relevant to the interests of the persons they represent, and gives them the power to make recommendations to the Water Industry Commission, the Scottish Ministers, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water:
Recommendations to the Water Industry Commission can be made as to the promotion of the interests of those represented by the Customer Panels, whether generally or specifically;
Recommendations to the Scottish Ministers, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency can be made on any matters considered relevant to those interests, in connection with such functions of those bodies as are exercisable in relation to Scottish Water’s exercise of core functions (as defined in section 70(2) of the 2002 Act to mean its statutory functions as the public water supplier and provider of sewerage); and
Recommendations to Scottish Water can be made on any matter considered relevant to those interests in relation to Scottish Water’s exercise of core functions.
14.New subsection (5) provides that Scottish Water must have regard to any representations or recommendations made to it by a Customer Panel. New subsection (5A) makes equivalent provision as regards other persons to whom a Customer Panel makes representations or recommendations.
15.New subsection (5B) requires the Customer Panel to publish a summary of any representations and recommendations made by it, as referred to in subsections (4) to (5A). This may be complied with through including such a summary in a report.
16.New subsection (5C) provides that any person who receives recommendations under new subsection (4) must respond to the recommendations within 6 months, and publish a summary of their responses.
17.New subsection (5D) enables Customer Panels to jointly exercise their functions in publishing reports and making recommendations or representations.
18.Section 3(2) of the Act repeals section 3(1) to (5) of the 2002 Act (the Water Industry Commissioner’s complaints investigation function) in consequence of the amendments made in section 3(3) (paragraph 20 below).
19.Section 3(3) of the Act inserts new sections 6A to 6C into the 2002 Act to confer on the Convener of the Customer Panels (“the Convener”) duties to: investigate complaints about Scottish Water’s exercise of its core functions; publish an annual report; and, with the Water Industry Commission, produce a memorandum of understanding.
20.New section 6A(1) of the 2002 Act places a duty on the Convener to investigate complaints in respect of Scottish Water’s exercise of its core functions from any person whose premises are connected to, or have been, or might reasonably become, connected to the public water or sewerage systems (as defined in sections 28 and 29 of the Act). Section 6A(2) provides that if such a complaint is received by a Customer Panel or the Water Industry Commission, they must refer it to the Convener. Section 6A(3) provides that the Convener need not investigate a complaint which has not already been pursued with Scottish Water, or which the Convener considers vexatious or frivolous. Section 6A(4) enables the Convener to make representations about complaints to Scottish Water. Sections 6A(5) and (6) require the Convener to report to the Water Industry Commission or a Customer Panel about the outcome of any investigations made about a complaint referred under subsection (2), or give reasons for any decision not to investigate such a complaint. Section 6A(7) requires Scottish Water to respond to reasonable requests for information from the Convener in connection with the Convener’s complaints investigation function. If Scottish Water and the Convener disagree on whether a request for information is reasonable, section 6A(8) provides that the disagreement may be referred to Scottish Ministers to decide the matter, and the latter’s decision is final.
21.New section 6B of the 2002 Act requires the Convener to submit to the Scottish Ministers and to publish an annual report, on the exercise of functions by both the Customer Panels and the Convener (under section 6A), as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year. The Convener is also required to provide the Scottish Ministers with any information they require as regards the exercise of those functions. The Scottish Ministers are required to lay a copy of the annual report before Parliament.
22.New section 6C of the 2002 Act requires the Water Industry Commission and the Convener of the Customer Panels to make arrangements for co-operation and the exchange information between the Commission and the Panels and between the Commission and the Convener; and for the consistent treatment of matters which affect both the Commission and the Panels, or both the Commission and the Convener. These arrangements are to be set out in a memorandum, which they are to send to the Scottish Ministers. The memorandum is to be kept under review, and any revised memorandum must also be sent to Ministers.
Part 3: Coal Mine Water Pollution
Section 32: Amendments to enactments
199.Section 32 introduces schedule 5, which makes consequential amendments to enactments as a result of this Act.
Schedule 1: Water Industry Commission for Scotland
209.Schedule 1 is introduced by section 1(4) of the Act and inserts a new schedule A1 into the 2002 Act.
Schedule A1: Water Industry Commission for Scotland
210.Paragraph 1 provides that the Commission is a body corporate. Sub-paragraph (2) provides that the Commission does not form part of the Crown.
211.Paragraph 2 provides that the Commission is to be made up of 3-5 ordinary members and a chief executive. This means that the majority of the membership of the Commission will be non-executive. Paragraph 5 provides that a person is to be appointed to chair the Commission from amongst the ordinary members.
Paragraph 3: Tenure and removal from office
212.Paragraph 3 provides for the appointment and vacation of office for Commission members. Members are to be appointed by the Scottish Ministers, who will also determine their terms and conditions. Sub-paragraph (2) provides that Ministers may remove ordinary members from office; and that the Commission may remove the chief executive from office with the approval of Ministers. Removal from office under this paragraph of members or the chief executive may only happen under certain specified circumstances, such as bankruptcy, incapacity by physical or mental illness, prolonged absence from Commission meetings without permission, or otherwise being unable, or unfit to discharge the functions of a member or unsuitable to continue as a member.
Paragraph 4: Disqualification
213.Paragraph 4 disqualifies members of the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament or the European Parliament from being appointed as members of the Commission.
Paragraph 6: Remuneration, allowances and pensions
215.Sub-paragraph (1) provides for Scottish Ministers to determine the remuneration to be paid to ordinary members of the Commission, and sub-paragraph (2) provides further for them to determine allowances in respect of expenses to be paid to ordinary members and to the chief executive.
216.Sub-paragraph (3) provides that Scottish Ministers may, under special circumstances, direct the Commission to pay compensation to an ordinary member who has ceased to hold the office otherwise than on the expiry of the terms of their appointment. Sub-paragraph (4) provides that Scottish Ministers may direct the Commission to pay pensions, allowances or gratuities, or contributions to these, to ordinary members as Ministers consider appropriate.
Paragraph 7: Chief executive
217.Paragraph 7 requires the Commission to employ a chief executive and makes provision regarding their appointment and employment.
218.Sub-paragraph (2) provides that Scottish Ministers will appoint the first chief executive of the Commission and determine the appointee’s terms and conditions. Sub-paragraph (3) ensures that before they do this, Scottish Ministers will consult the chairman or prospective chairman of the Commission, if that person has been identified.
219.Sub-paragraph (4) provides that the Commission will appoint subsequent chief executives on such terms and conditions as they determine, subject to the approval of Ministers.
220.Sub-paragraph (5) requires that the chief executive has knowledge, skills or experience relevant to the functions of the Commission.
221.Sub-paragraph (6) enables the Commission, with the approval of Ministers, to vary the terms and conditions of the chief executive or to terminate such an appointment where satisfied that the chief executive is not adequately discharging the functions of that post.
Paragraph 8: Staff
222.Sub-paragraph (1) provides that all the staff of the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland will transfer to the Commission once it is established.
223.Sub-paragraph (2) provides for the contract of employment of any staff transferred under sub-paragraph (1) not to be terminated by the transfer, but to continue as if originally made between the member of staff and the Commission.
224.Sub-paragraph (3) provides that when staff are transferred to the Commission, the Commission will take on all rights, powers, duties and liabilities in relation to the contracts of employment of these staff and that anything done in relation to employees or their contracts before the transfer continues to have effect after the transfer.
225.Sub-paragraph (4) states that the transfer under these provisions does not affect any person’s right to terminate their contract of employment if the terms and conditions can be shown to have been changed substantially to their detriment. However, the fact that that the identity of the person’s employer has changed is not in itself sufficient to constitute such a change.
226.Sub-paragraphs (5), (6) and (7) provide that the Commission may employ other staff, and determine their terms and conditions and the arrangements for pensions, allowances or gratuities. Ministers must approve all such recruitment and arrangements. Sub-paragraph (8) provides that reference to provision of pensions, allowances or gratuities, includes provision by way of compensation for loss of office or employment.
Paragraph 9: Transfer of property and liabilities
227.Paragraph 9(1) provides that all property (including rights) and liabilities of the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland will transfer to the Commission. Sub-paragraph (2) provides that sub-paragraph (1) will have effect despite any provision which might otherwise prevent, penalise or prohibit the transfer of such property and liabilities.
Paragraph 10: Committees
228.Paragraph 10 provides for the Commission to establish committees for or in connection with any of its functions. These must be chaired by an ordinary member of the Commission (sub-paragraph (2)), and may include employees of the Commission who are not members of the Commission (sub-paragraph (3)), as well as the chief executive.
Paragraph 11: Delegation of powers
229.Paragraph 11 enables any function of the Commission to be delegated to any of its authorised committees; but that this authorisation does not prevent the Commission itself from doing anything it has authorised a committee to do.
Paragraph 12: Proceedings
230.Paragraph 12 states that the Commission may determine its own procedures, and that any vacancy among its members or defect in the appointment of a member does not affect the validity of its proceedings.
Paragraph 13: General powers
231.Paragraph 13(1) provides that the Commission may enter into contracts and acquire or dispose of property, if this is necessary or expedient in the exercise of its functions; but the Scottish Ministers’ consent is required where land is acquired or disposed of (sub-paragraph (2)).
Schedule 2: Licences and Compliance: Further Provision
233.Schedule 2 is introduced by section 12.
Paragraph 2: Conditions of licence
240.Paragraph 2 makes provisions about the conditions that are to attach to water services licences and sewerage services licences.
241.Sub-paragraph (1) provides for each licence to contain within it certain standard conditions, and any other "ordinary" conditions particular to individual licences, which the Commission judges to be necessary or expedient. Sub-paragraph (2) requires the Commission to specify what the standard conditions are to be within 9 months of the sub-paragraph coming into force. For example, this will allow the Commission to use part of the 9 month period to consult publicly on draft conditions.
242.Sub-paragraph (3) provides for the matters to be covered by the standard conditions. It is anticipated that these will include requirements that service providers avoid undue discrimination between customers, meet their financial obligations to Scottish Water at all times, and comply with standard procedures in transferring or surrendering licences. In the interests of allowing the Commission to operate flexibly and to take into account different circumstances, the sub-paragraph enables conditions to apply only to specified classes of licence and to come into effect or be suspended in particular circumstances.
243.Sub-paragraph (4) requires the Commission to consult Ministers on its proposals for standard conditions and to publish the conditions once determined. The intention is that the Commission should consult Ministers about these proposals having had regard to the outcome of a public consultation on the draft conditions.
244.Sub-paragraphs (5) to (11) provide for the Commission to review and modify the standard conditions and to modify other conditions of any licence if necessary as a consequence of modifying a standard condition. This is the mechanism for changing the standard conditions for all licences that contain them. The Commission is not required to obtain the agreement of each licence holder to whatever change is being made.
245.Sub-paragraph (5) places a duty on the Commission to review the standard conditions from time to time and gives it the power to modify them and also, in consequence of so doing, to make any other modifications to licence conditions which it considers necessary or expedient. The frequency with which this type of review is required will depend on experience gained of the system in operation. Sub-paragraph (6) requires that the Commission, before making any modification to a standard condition or a consequential amendment to a licence condition, should notify the licence holders affected by any proposed modification, Scottish Water and Ministers; and should publish this notification. Sub-paragraph (7) requires that the notice explains the Commission's reasons for proposing modifications and specifies the timescale within which representations about them can be made to it. Sub-paragraph (8) requires the Commission to have regard to any representations made about the proposed modification. Sub-paragraph (9) requires the Commission to publish any modifications that are made to the standard conditions.
246.Sub-paragraph (10) empowers the Commission to grant a licence that does not contain the standard conditions in their normal form, again in the interests of flexibility to reflect the particular circumstances of the case. Sub-paragraph (11) requires, where the Commission is minded to grant a licence on this basis, that the Commission should follow the procedures for consulting on modifications to standard conditions set out at sub-paragraphs (6) to (8).
247.In the interests of flexibility, sub-paragraph (12) gives the Commission discretion to provide in an ordinary condition of a licence, for that condition to have effect or cease to have effect or be modified at such time, in such manner and in such circumstances as it considers appropriate.
248.Sub-paragraph (13) empowers the Commission to modify any conditions within a particular licence, if it considers that this is necessary in the circumstances of the case. Sub-paragraph (14) requires, where the Commission is minded to modify a condition on this basis, that it should follow procedures for consulting on modifications to standard conditions set out at sub-paragraphs (6) to (8).
249.Sub-paragraphs (15) and (16) empower a water or sewerage services provider to appeal to the Court of Session against the inclusion or modification respectively of a condition in a licence, on a question of law. Sub-paragraph (17) provides that the decision of the Court in the appeal is final.
Paragraph 3: Conditions: sustainable development
250.Sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 provides that Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to the Water Industry Commission on how licensed water and sewerage services providers might, in performing the activities authorised by their licences, reasonably contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. Sub-paragraph (2) requires the Commission to have regard to such guidance when setting licence conditions for providers under paragraph 2 of schedule 2 to the Act. Such conditions will, in line with all other licence conditions, be binding on providers.
Paragraph 4: Transfer of licence
251.Paragraph 4 establishes the basis on which a water or sewerage services provider can transfer a licence to another person.
252.Sub-paragraph (1) allows in principle for a licence to be transferred from a provider, who holds a licence, to another person. A transfer can be in respect of all, or part of, the activities covered by a licence. Sub-paragraph (2) requires any transfer to comply with any conditions (whether standard or ordinary) relating to transfers and to be subject to the consent of the Commission.
253.Sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) empower the Commission to consent to a transfer, but only where satisfied that the person the licence is being transferred to is able to carry out adequately the activities in respect of which the transfer is being proposed. In deciding whether someone is able to conduct these activities adequately the Commission must take into account the factors that would normally be considered when granting the licence under section 7 of the Act.
254.Sub-paragraph (5) requires a transferee to submit an application to the Commission for consent to the transfer and provides for a similar application procedure for the transfer of a water or sewerage services licence to that which applies to licence applications under paragraph 1(1) to (6) of schedule 2 to the Act.
255.Sub-paragraph (6) makes it an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with a transfer application (similar to paragraph 1(7) of schedule 2) whilst sub-paragraph (7) prescribes the penalties for such an offence (similar to paragraph 1(8) of that schedule).
256.Sub-paragraph (8) empowers the Commission to make its consent to a transfer subject to any conditions in respect of the licence or more generally as it considers appropriate. Sub-paragraph (9) requires the Commission to notify, as soon as is practicable after its decision about a transfer, those parties with an interest in that transfer and Scottish Water.
257.Sub-paragraph (10) permits prospective transferees to appeal to the Court of Session on a question of law against a decision by the Commission to withhold consent to a transfer.
258.Sub-paragraph (11) permits Scottish Water to appeal to the Court of Session, on a question of law, against the granting of consent to transfer a water or sewerage services licence, in the same way that Scottish Water may appeal against the granting of the original licence under paragraph 1(10) of schedule 2.
259.Sub-paragraph (12) provides that the decision of the Court of Session in an appeal under sub-paragraphs (10) or (11) shall be final.
260.Sub-paragraph (13) ensures that any attempt to assign a water or sewerage services licence will be a transfer for the purposes of paragraph 4 of schedule 2 to the Act.
Paragraph 5: Powers of entry etc.
261.Paragraph 5 provides for the Commission to have powers of entry to premises so as to enable it to discharge its duty, under section 8(1) of the Act, to monitor and ensure compliance with licence conditions. Sub-paragraph (1) empowers the Commission, or anyone authorised by it, to exercise the powers specified in sub-paragraph (2).
262.Sub-paragraph (2)(a) enables the Commission and its officials to enter (i) the premises of any water or sewerage services provider (“the first category”), (ii) the premises of anyone that a provider has arranged to provide with services (“the second category”), or (iii) the premises of any other person (“the third category”). Sub-paragraphs (2)(b) and (c) respectively make provision for powers to inspect such documentation and articles, and to remove them from the premises, as the Commission considers necessary to give effect to its monitoring and compliance duties. The exercise of the powers of entry is qualified by sub-paragraph (3). Thus whereas the Commission, or anyone authorised by the Commission, can enter the premises of a licensed provider in terms of the first category at any reasonable time without notice, they can only enter premises falling within the second and third categories on giving 24 hours' notice. Moreover, sub-paragraph (4) specifies that premises in the third category can be entered only where the Commission is satisfied that gaining access to premises in the first and second categories only would not be sufficient to enable it to discharge its monitoring and compliance duties. In practice, this would mean that the Commission could seek entry to premises in the third category only where it had grounds for believing that it might obtain there information relevant to monitoring and compliance that could not be obtained in any of the premises in the preceding two categories. The effect of these qualifications is to direct the Commission's powers of entry, first to the premises of service providers, then to the premises of customers of service providers, and only in the last resort to premises in general.
263.Sub-paragraph (5) requires that the Commission be given reasonable assistance by the owners and occupiers of premises that are subject to the exercise of the Commissioner's powers of entry. This duty extends to those who are present on the premises when the powers are being exercised.
Paragraph 6: Powers of entry etc.: further provision
264.Sub-paragraph (1) empowers the Commission, or anyone authorised by it, and subject to the terms of any warrant, to be accompanied by others on, and to take equipment on to, the premises so as to be able to conduct monitoring and enforcement activity effectively. Where appropriate, this must be done in a manner consistent with the terms of any warrant granted under paragraph 7. The sub-paragraph also requires anyone exercising a power of entry and if required to do so, to provide written evidence of their authority to do so. Sub-paragraph (2) requires those entering premises to leave them in a condition no less secure than that in which they found them.
265.Sub-paragraphs (3) to (4) provide protection for those whose premises are entered under paragraph 5(2)(a). Sub-paragraph (3) places a duty on the Commission to pay compensation to anyone who suffers damage or loss as a result of the powers of entry being exercised except where such loss or damage is attributable to the fault of the person who sustained it. Sub-paragraph (4) makes it an offence for anyone to disclose any commercially sensitive information obtained as a result of exercising the power of entry. Sub-paragraph (5) provides that anyone obstructing the Commission, or failing without reasonable excuse to provide assistance to the Commission, in the exercise of the powers at this paragraph is guilty of an offence. The penalties for these offences are set out in sub-paragraph (6) and are up to the statutory maximum fine (currently £5,000), where convicted by a Sheriff sitting without a jury, or, where convicted by a jury, an unlimited fine.
Paragraph 7: Warrants
266.Paragraph 7 provides for a sheriff or justice of the peace to grant warrants where this is necessary to give effect to the powers of entry conferred at paragraph 5.
267.Sub-paragraph (1) establishes, that a sheriff or justice, where satisfied that evidence provided to them on oath meets at least one of the conditions specified at sub-paragraph (2), can issue a warrant authorising the Commission, or those authorised by it, to enter premises as provided for at paragraph 5(2). As a warrant authorises the use of force if necessary, the power to issue a warrant is qualified to ensure that it is exercised only after there has been proper consideration of the circumstances. Sub-paragraph (2) specifies the conditions at least one of which must be satisfied before a sheriff or justice issues a warrant. In essence these ensure that a warrant will be issued only in circumstances where entry cannot be gained without one, or where entry is required urgently. Sub-paragraph (3) further qualifies the power to issue a warrant in cases where the conditions in sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) are satisfied, by requiring the Commission to have given notice of the intention to apply for a warrant, save where to have done so would defeat the purpose of gaining entry to premises.
268.Sub-paragraph (4) provides that a warrant remains in force until the purposes for which the warrant was issued have been fulfilled, for example when entry to the premises cited in the warrant has been gained.
Paragraph 9: Enforcement notices: offences
274.Paragraph 9 sets out the sanctions for a water or sewerage services provider, who having been served with an enforcement notice, fails to satisfy the requirements of the notice. Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) specify that such a failure is an offence and that where a failure recurs subsequently, that too is an offence. Sub-paragraph (3) specifies that the penalties for anyone guilty of these offences are up to the statutory maximum fine (currently £5,000), where convicted by a Sheriff sitting without a jury, or, where convicted by a jury, an unlimited fine.
Paragraph 10: Revocation of licences
275.Paragraph 10 gives the Commission the power to revoke a water or sewerage services licence under certain circumstances.
276.Sub-paragraph (1) provides that a licence may in principle be revoked. Sub-paragraph (2) empowers the Commission to revoke a licence where there has been a failure to comply with the terms of an enforcement notice. Sub-paragraph (3) empowers the Commission to revoke a licence where there has been a failure to comply with a term or condition of a licence and where it considers that the provider would fail to comply with an enforcement notice relating to the contravention.
277.Sub-paragraph (4) allows the Commission to revoke a licence if it considers that a water or sewerage services provider no longer has the ability to perform adequately the activities in their licence. In making this decision the Commission must have regard to the factors mentioned in section 7(2) of the Act and to other matters specified under that subsection. Finally, sub-paragraph (5) allows the Commission to revoke a licence if requested to do so by a provider.
278.Sub-paragraph (6) provides that before revoking a licence the Commission must consider the terms and condition of the licence, the provider’s responsibilities to its customers and any other relevant matters. Sub-paragraph (7) provides that a notice of revocation must specify the reasons for the revocation and the date from which it will have effect.
279.Sub-paragraph (8) allows a provider on whom a notice of revocation is served to appeal to the sheriff against the notice within 14 days. Sub-paragraph (9) empowers the sheriff to make any order in respect of such an appeal and provides that the decision of the sheriff is final.
280.Sub-paragraph (10) requires the Commission to send a copy of the notice of revocation to Scottish Water and the Scottish Ministers and to publish the notice, once it comes into effect.
Paragraph 11: Penalties for contravention of licence
281.Paragraph 11 gives the Commission the power to impose financial penalties on water or sewerage services providers if they contravene the terms and conditions of their licence. The Commission is required to prepare and publish a policy with respect to the imposition of penalties.
282.Sub-paragraph (1) empowers the Commission to impose penalties for contravention of licence terms and conditions. In the interests of transparency, sub-paragraph (2) requires the Commission to develop and to publish, and to keep under review and revise, a statement of its policy for imposing penalties on providers who contravene the terms and conditions of their licences. The Executive expects the Commission to consult publicly on the basis of a draft policy statement prior to a final statement being published.
283.Sub-paragraph (3) requires the Commission to notify a provider of its intention to impose a penalty. Sub-paragraph (4) requires the Commission to have regard to any policy statement under sub-paragraph (2) and any representations from a provider in respect of a notice before determining the penalty to be imposed on the provider. Sub-paragraph (5) enables a provider to appeal to the sheriff within 14 days against any penalty imposed by the Commission and the penalty is not recoverable until the appeal is withdrawn or finally determined. Sub-paragraph (6) empowers the sheriff to make any order in respect of such an appeal that is considered necessary and provides that the sheriff's decision in such cases is final.
284.Sub-paragraph (7) ensures that the Commission will be able to recover any penalties that it imposes by using general debt recovery procedures and remedies. It ensures too that a former provider can be pursued for any penalty, even where it no longer holds a licence. In terms of sub-paragraph (8), the proceeds of penalties recovered must be paid into the Scottish Consolidated Fund.
Paragraph 12: Register of licences
285.Paragraph 12 requires the Commission to keep a register of water and sewerage services licences and sets out a list of the information which must be included in the register.
286.Sub-paragraph (1) empowers the Scottish Ministers to prescribe, by order, the manner of the register, which the Commission must keep. Sub-paragraph (2) specifies certain information, which must be included in the register and gives Ministers the power to prescribe by order any additional information which must be contained in the register. Sub-paragraph (3) provides that the register must be available for inspection by any person at any reasonable time.
Schedule 5: Amendments to Enactments
299.Schedule 5 is introduced by section 32 of the Act. The schedule makes amendments to other enactments which are required in consequence of provisions made under this Act.
Paragraph 1: Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 (c.47)
300.Paragraph 1 repeals section 29(3)(j) of the Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968. That provision allows Scottish Water to set charges in relation to the disposal of trade effluent into sewers. Under the new arrangements introduced by the Act, all such charges will be set by reference to the charges scheme made under new section 29A of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.
Paragraph 3: Race Relations Act 1976 (c.74)
302.Paragraph 3 repeals the section of Part II of schedule 1A to the Race Relations Act 1976 which relates to the Water Industry Commissioner. This Part specifies offices the holders of which are subject to the general statutory duty to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and promote equality of opportunity in the carrying out of their functions. As above, the reference to the Water Industry Commissioner needs to be removed.
Paragraph 4: Water (Fluoridation) Act 1985 (c.63)
303.Paragraph 4 replaces references in the Water (Fluoridation) Act 1985 to the Commissioner with references to the Commission.
Paragraph 5: Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 1)
304.Paragraph 5 replaces references in the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 to the Commissioner, with references to the Commission.
Paragraph 6: Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7)
305.Paragraph 6(a) to (d) repeals all references to the Water Industry Commissioner in the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. Sub-paragraph (e) replaces these references by adding the Water Industry Commission established by the Act to the list of devolved public bodies. This provides that the Commission and its members will be subject to that Act and required to draw up and comply with a code of conduct under that Act.
Paragraph 7: Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 3)
306.Paragraph 7 amends the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 in consequence of the provisions of the Act. Sub-paragraph (1) replaces references to the Commissioner with references to the Commission, since the Water Industry Commissioner is being replaced with the Water Industry Commission under Part I of the Act.
307.Sub-paragraph (2) amends section 3(6) of the 2002 Act (functions of the Commissioner) and replaces references to customers there with references to persons whose premises are connected to, or might reasonably become connected to, the public water supply or sewerage systems. This ensures that, in its duty to advise Ministers on the standard of service Scottish Water provides and the manner in which it conducts relations with “customers”, the Water Industry Commission will represent those persons.
308.Sub-paragraph (3) amends section 5 (annual reports by, and information from, the Commissioner) of the 2002 Act in relation the content of the Commission’s annual report, to require the report to contain a summary of any action taken by the Commission in response to representations and recommendations made by the Customer Panels under the amended section 2 of the 2002 Act (as introduced by section 3(1) of the Act).
309.Sub-paragraph (4) replaces references to Scottish Water’s “customers” in section 26 (customer standards code) of the 2002 Act, with reference to persons whose premises are connected to, or might reasonably become connected to, the public water supply or sewerage systems. This ensures that Scottish Water’s customer standards code will apply in relation to services provided to such persons. It also repeals subsection (2) of section 26 of that Act, which provided that a customer standards code had to be submitted to the Commissioner no later than the date on which Scottish Water first sent a charges scheme to the Commissioner. This is in consequence of the repeal of section 32 of the 2002 Act by section 21(3) of the Act (and its replacement with new provisions as regards the determination of Scottish Water’s charges).
310.Sub-paragraph (5) repeals section 40 of the Act (reduced charges), which allowed Ministers to provide by regulations that certain people should pay Scottish Water reduced charges. In future provision for reduced charges will be given effect through Ministers’ statement under the new section 29D which Scottish Water will take account of in making charges schemes under the new section 29A.
311.Sub-paragraph (6) replaces wording in section 49 of the 2002 Act to ensure that the Scottish Ministers and Scottish Water are obliged to carry out their functions with regard to the interests of all end users of the public water and sewerage systems. The intention of this amendment is to exclude licensed water and sewerage services providers from the scope of this customer interest duty. Although those providers will be customers of Scottish Water in its wholesale capacity and will receive water and sewerage services from them, the high level customer interest duty placed on Ministers and Scottish Water is to be exercised with regard to direct (i.e. domestic) customers of Scottish Water, and customers of the licensed providers, but not the providers themselves.
312.Sub-paragraph (7) amends section 57(7) of the 2002 Act (information and reports) to require Scottish Water to include in its annual report, information on the extent to which it has complied with requirements made under sections 13(2), 15(1) or (5) of the Act.
313.Sub-paragraph (8) adds the new section 56B to the orders and regulations which are excluded from those orders and regulations to be subject to negative procedure in the Scottish Parliament; and includes section 56B with the sections under which orders and regulations may be made subject to affirmative procedure.
314.Sub-paragraph (9) amends section 70 of the Act (interpretation) to the effect that “charges scheme” has the meaning given to it under the new section 29A(1) of the 2002 Act, and substitutes a definition of the Water Industry Commission for that of the Water Industry Commissioner.
315.Sub-paragraph (10) repeals Part I of schedule 1 (the Commissioner) to the Act, since the Water Industry Commissioner is replaced by the Water Industry Commission under Part I of the Act.
Paragraph 8: Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 (asp 11)
316.Paragraph 8 inserts the Convener of the Water Customer Consultation Panels into schedule 2 (listed authorities) to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002, to ensure that the Convener’s activities come under the scrutiny of the Ombudsman. It also replaces the reference in that Act to the Commissioner with a reference to the Commission, since the Water Industry Commissioner is being replaced with the Water Industry Commission under Part 1 of the Act.
Paragraph 9: Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 13)
317.Paragraph 9 inserts the Convener of the Water Customer Consultation Panels into schedule 1 (Scottish public authorities) to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, to ensure that the Convener is subject to the requirements of that Act. It also replaces the reference in that Act to the Commissioner with a reference to the Commission, again since the Water Industry Commissioner is being replaced with the Water Industry Commission under Part 1 of the Act.
Paragraph 10: Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc.(Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4)
318.Paragraph 10 repeals the entry relating to the Commissioner in schedule 2 to the Act, and replaces it with a reference to the Commission, since the Water Industry Commissioner is being replaced with the Water Industry Commission under Part I of the Act.
319.The following table sets out, for each Stage of the proceedings in the Scottish Parliament on the Bill for this Act, the dates on which the proceedings at that Stage took place, the references to the Official Report of those proceedings and the dates on which Committee Reports and other papers relating to the Bill were published, and references to those Reports and other papers.
11 June 2004 Bill as introduced (SP Bill 23)
a) Environment and Rural Development Committee
19th Meeting, 9 September 2004 cols 1087 - 1128
20th Meeting, 15 September 2004 cols1134 - 1181
21st Meeting, 22 September 2004 cols 1214 - 1224
22nd Meeting, 29 September 2004 cols 1248 - 1275
23rd Meeting, 5 October 2004 cols 1308 - 1327
13th Report, 2004 (Session 2) Stage 1 Report on the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill (SP PAPER 233)
21st Meeting, 9 September 2004 cols 1612 - 1634
22nd Meeting, 14 September 2004 cols1654 - 1665
Report to ERD Committee, 29 September 2004 Report on Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill
26th Meeting, 28 September 2004 cols 582 - 584
27th Meeting, 5 October 2004 cols 594 - 596
Report to ERD Committee included in ERD Committee Stage 1 Report Stage1 Report on the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill (SP PAPER 233)
Stage 1 debate, 17 November 2004 17 November 2004 cols 11897 - 11949 and 11961 - 11965
Pre-Stage 2, 28th Meeting, 24 November 20004 cols 1369 - 1396
29th Meeting, 8 December 2004 cols1408 - 1420
30th Meeting, 15 December 2004 cols 1437 - 1450
Bill as amended at Stage 2 Bill as amended (SP Bill 23A)
5th Meeting, 8 February 2005 cols 2348 - 2353
4th Meeting, 1 February 2005 cols 784 - 786
4th Report, 8 February 2005 Reporton the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 (SP 288)
Stage 3 debate, 9 February 2005 9 February, cols 14358 - 14384 and 14416 - 14417
Bill passed, 9 February 2005 Bill as passed(SP Bill 23B)
17 March 2005 Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005