Water Resources Act 1963

6 Constitution of river authorities

(1) A river authority shall consist of not less than twenty-one members and (excluding any additional members) not more than thirty-one members, or such greater number (if any) as may be prescribed under subsection (5) of this section.

(2) Such number of members of a river authority as is sufficient (but not more than sufficient) to constitute a majority of the total membership of the authority (including any additional members thereof) shall, subject to the provisions of the next following section, be appointed by or on behalf of all the constituent councils.

(3) The remainder of the members of a river authority (other than additional members) shall consist of the fallowing, that is to say—

(a) one or more members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as being qualified in respect of land drainage generally or as being qualified in respect of the protection of land against erosion or encroachment by the sea or any other particular aspects of land drainage;

(b) one or more members appointed by (that Minister as being qualified in respect of fisheries;

(c) one or more members appointed by that Minister as being qualified in respect of agriculture;

(d) one or more members appointed by the Minister as being qualified in respect of public water supply; and

(e) one or more members appointed by the Minister as being qualified in respect of industry other than agriculture.

(4) In the last preceding subsection " qualified ", in relation to any subject mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) of that subsection, means qualified as having had experience of, and shown capacity in, or otherwise as having special knowledge of, matters which relate to that subject as it affects the area of the river authority.

(5) If in the case of a particular river authority it appears to the Ministers that, by reason of special circumstances, the number of members of the authority, other than additional members, ought to exceed thirty-one, the order establishing the authority may provide that the number of members of the authority (excluding additional members) shall be such number, greater than thirty-one, as may be specified in the order.

(6) The provisions of Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect with respect to river authorities.

(7) In this Act " constituent council", in relation to a river authority, means the council of a county or county borough any part of which is comprised in the area of the river authority.