(1)If it appears to a local harbour authority that a harbour vested in it is no longer required or cannot be adequately maintained except by expenditure which would not be justified by any benefit which would result from the harbour's continued existence, it may, subject to subsection (2), resolve to discontinue the maintenance of the harbour.
(2)A resolution under subsection (1) shall not take effect unless it is approved by the Ministry and any approval under this subsection may be given subject to conditions.
(3)On the application of a relevant harbour authority which has passed a resolution under subsection (1), the Ministry may by order make such provision as it considers necessary in relation to any outstanding liabilities of the authority in respect of the harbour.
(4)When a resolution under this section takes effect, this Part and any enactment applying to the harbour to which the resolution relates shall cease to apply to the harbour except—
(a)in so far as the Ministry by order otherwise directs;
(b)in so far as this Part or the enactment authorises the levying and recovery of rates to meet outstanding loan charges or the recovery of any rates levied but not recovered before the date on which the resolution takes effect.