Control of Pollution Act 1974

Part V E+W+S Supplementary provisions

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. V applied (with modifications) (E.) (24.3.2011) by The Hull and Goole Port Health Authority Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/939), arts. 1(1), 9, Sch. 2

C2 Pt. V functions transferred and modified (E.) (14.6.2016) by The River Tees Port Health Authority Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/644), arts. 1(1), 9, Sch. 2

C3 Pt. V functions transferred and modified (E.) (31.3.2017) by The Weymouth Port Health Authority Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/558), arts. 1(1), 9, Sch. 2 (with art. 9(3))

Legal proceedings E+W+S

85 Appeals to Crown Court or Court of Session against decisions of magistrates’ court or sheriff. E+W+S

(1) An appeal against any decision of a magistrates’ court in pursuance of this Act (other than a decision made in criminal proceedings) shall lie to the Crown Court at the instance of any party to the proceedings in which the decision was given if such an appeal does not lie to the Crown Court by virtue of any other enactment.

(2) In Scotland an appeal against any decision of the sheriff in pursuance of this Act (other than a decision made in criminal proceedings) shall lie to the Court of Session at the instance of any party to the proceedings in which the decision was given if such an appeal does not lie to the Court of Session by virtue of any other enactment.

(3) Where a person appeals to the Crown Court or the Court of Session against a decision of a magistrates’ court or the sheriff dismissing an appeal against a notice served in pursuance of this Act which was suspended pending determination of that appeal, the notice shall again be suspended pending the determination of the appeal to the Crown Court or Court of Session.

[F1 (4) In subsection (2), “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 85(4) added (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), Sch. 3 para. 39(3); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2), Sch.

86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2 E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 86 repealed by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58, Sch. 27 Pt. I

87 Miscellaneous provisions relating to legal proceedings. E+W+S

(1) When an offence under this Act which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence and be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members the preceding provisions of this subsection shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.

(2) Where the commission by any person of an offence under this Act is due to the act or default of some other person, that other person shall be guilty of the offence; and a person may be charged with and convicted of an offence by virtue of this subsection whether or not proceedings for the offence are taken against any other person.

[F3 (3) F4 ... Notwithstanding anything in [F5 section 331 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975], summary proceedings in Scotland for any [F5 offence under section 30F of this Act or regulations or byelaws made in pursuance of section 31 of this Act] such offence may be commenced at any time within one year from the time when the offence was committed, and [F5 subsection (3) of section 331 of the said Act of 1975] shall apply for the purposes of this subsection, F4 ... as that subsection applies for the purposes of that section.]

(4) Where an appeal against a decision of a relevant authority lies to a magistrates’ court by virtue of any provision of this Act, it shall be the duty of the authority to include in any document by which it notifies the decision to the person concerned a statement indicating that such an appeal lies as aforesaid and specifying the time within which it must be brought.

(5) Where on an appeal to any court against or arising out of a decision of a relevant authority in pursuance of this Act the court varies or reverses the decision it shall be the duty of the authority to act in accordance with the court’s decision.

(6) A judge of any court and a justice of the peace shall not be disqualified from acting in cases arising under this Act by reason of his being, as one of several ratepayers or as one of any other class of persons, liable in common with the others to contribute to or be benefited by any rate or fund out of which any expenses of a relevant authority are to be defrayed.

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 87(3) repealed (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), Sch. 3 para. 16(2)(q); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2), Sch.

F4 Words in s. 87(3) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 106, 120(3), Sch. 16 para. 9(a)(e) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F5 Words in s. 87(3) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 106, Sch. 16 para. 9(b)(c)(d) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F6 88 Civil liability for contravention of s. 3(3). E+W+S

(1) Where any damage is caused by poisonous, noxious or polluting waste which has been deposited on land, any person who deposited it or caused or knowingly permitted it to be deposited, in either case so as to commit an offence under section 3(3) or by virtue of section 18(2) of this Act, is liable for the damage except where the damage—

(a) was due wholly to the fault of the person who suffered it; or

(b) was suffered by a person who voluntarily accepted the risk thereof.

(2) The matters which under paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (4) of section 3 of this Act may be proved by way of defence to a charge of committing an offence under subsection (3) of that section may be proved also by way of defence to an action brought by virtue of the preceding subsection (the reference in the said paragraph (a) to the charge being construed as a reference to the act alleged to give rise to the liability).

(3) In this section—

• “damage” includes the death of, or injury to, any person (including any disease and any impairment of physical or mental condition);

• “fault” has the same meaning as in the M1 Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945; and

• “land” includes such water as is mentioned in section 4(4) of this Act.

(4) For the purposes of the following enactments, namely—

(a) the Fatal Accidents Acts 1846 to 1959;

(b) the M2 Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945; and

[F7 (c) the M3 Limitation Act 1980]

and for the purposes of any action of damages in Scotland arising out of the death of, or personal injury to, any person, any damage for which a person is liable under subsection (1) of this section shall be treated as due to his fault.

(5) Subsection (1) of this section is without prejudice to any liability which arises apart from the provisions of this section.

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 88 repealed (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), Sch. 3 para. 16(2)(r); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2), Sch.

F7 S. 88(4)(c) substituted by Limitation Act 1980 (c. 58), Sch. 3 para. 12

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 88(4)(a) extended by Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (c. 30), Sch. 1 para. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1945 c. 28.

M2 1945 c. 28.

M3 1980 c. 58.

Financial provisions E+W+S

89 Expenses and receipts of Secretary of State etc. E+W+S

(1) There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament—

(a) Any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Act; and

(b) Any increase attributable to the provisions of this Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided.

(2) Any sums received by the Secretary of State by virtue of this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

F8 90 Establishment charges and interest in respect of certain expenses of authorities. E+W+S

F9 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) [F10 Where a sum is payable to a] relevant authority by any person by virtue of this Act in respect of the expenses incurred by the authority or by virtue of section 36 of the M4 Local Government Act 1974 in respect of establishment charges related to such expenses or by virtue of section 193 of the M5 Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 in respect of general expenses related to such expenses, then—

(a) the authority and that person may agree that the sum F11 ... shall be paid in instalments; and

(b) the authority shall be entitled to receive from that person interest on the sum F11 ... , or on such portion of it as is for the time being unpaid, at [F12 such reasonable rate or rates as the authority may determine].

(3) In the application of this section to Scotland, for the references to a water authority there shall be substituted references to [F13 SEPA].

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 90 repealed (S.) (30.6.2014) by Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 3), s. 61(2), Sch. 3 para. 16(2)(s); S.S.I. 2014/160, art. 2(1)(2), Sch.

F9 S. 90(1) repealed (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58, Sch. 27 Pt. I

F10 Words commencing “Where a sum” substituted (E.W.) for words commencing “Where such a sum” by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 48(9), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58

F11 Words repealed (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58, Sch. 27 Pt. I

F12 Words substituted by Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65), s. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 17

F13 Words in s. 90(3) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 29(30) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Marginal Citations

M4 1974 c. 7.

M5 1947 c. 43.

Miscellaneous E+W+S

91 Rights of entry and inspection etc. E+W+S

(1) Any person authorised in writing in that behalf by a relevant authority may at any reasonable time—

(a) enter upon any land or vessel for the purpose of—

(i) performing any function conferred on the authority or that person by virtue of this Act, or

(ii) determining whether, and if so in what manner, such a function should be performed, or

(iii) determining whether any provision of this Act or of an instrument made by virtue of this Act is being complied with;

(b) carry out such inspections, measurements and tests on the land or vessel or of any articles on it and take away such samples of the land or articles as he considers appropriate for such a purpose.

(2) If it is shown to the satisfaction of a justice of the peace on sworn information in writing—

(a) that admission to any land or vessel which a person is entitled to enter in pursuance of the preceding subsection has been refused to that person or that refusal is apprehended or that the land or vessel is unoccupied or that the occupier is temporarily absent or that the case is one of emergency or that an application for admission would defeat the object of the entry; and

(b) that there is reasonable ground for entry upon the land or vessel for the purpose for which entry is required,

then, subject to the following subsection, the justice may by warrant under his hand authorise that person to enter the land or vessel, if need be by force.

(3) A justice of the peace shall not issue a warrant in pursuance of the preceding subsection in respect of any land or vessel unless he is satisfied—

(a) that admission to the land or vessel in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section was sought after not less than seven days notice of the intended entry had been served on the occupier; or

(b) that admission to the land or vessel in pursuance of that subsection was sought in an emergency and was refused by or on behalf of the occupier; or

(c) that the land or vessel is unoccupied; or

(d) that an application for admission to the land or vessel would defeat the object of the entry.

(4) A warrant issued in pursuance of this section shall continue in force until the purpose for which the entry is required has been satisfied.

(5) In the application of this section to Scotland—

F14 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) Any reference to a justice of the peace shall include a reference to the sheriff.

Textual Amendments

F14 S. 91(5)(a) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 29(31), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 Ss. 91-94 extended (with modifications) (14.10.1991) by Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (c. 14, SIF 46:4), s. 7(1); S.I. 1991/1618, art. 3

C6 S. 91 extended (20.9.2000) by 2000 c. vii, ss. 1(1), 18(a)

C7 S. 91: certain functions transferred (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 91: certain functions transferred (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 91 modified (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

S. 91 modified (10.1.1992 by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

C8 S. 91 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Southampton Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1218), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C9 S. 91 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Cornwall Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1215), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch. (with art. 2)

C10 S. 91 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Cowes Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1216), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C11 S. 91 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Portsmouth Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1217), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C12 S. 91 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Bristol Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1214), arts. 1, 4, Sch.

92 Provisions supplementary to s. 91. E+W+S

(1) A person authorised to enter upon any land or vessel in pursuance of the preceding section shall, if so required, produce evidence of his authority before he enters upon the land or vessel.

(2) A person so authorised may take with him on to the land or vessel in question such other persons and such equipment as may be necessary.

(3) Admission to any land or vessel used for residential purposes and admission with heavy equipment to any other land or vessel shall not, except in an emergency or in a case where the land or vessel is unoccupied, be demanded as of right in pursuance of subsection (1) of the preceding section unless a notice of the intended entry has been served on the occupier not less than seven days before the demand.

(4) A person who, in the exercise of powers conferred on him by virtue of the preceding section or this section, enters upon any land or vessel which is unoccupied or of which the occupier is temporarily absent shall leave the land or vessel as effectually secured against trespassers as he found it.

(5) It shall be the duty of a relevant authority to make full compensation to any person who has sustained damage by reason of—

(a) the exercise by a person authorised by the authority of any powers conferred on the person so authorised by virtue of the preceding section or this section; or

(b) the failure of a person so authorised to perform the duty imposed on him by the preceding subsection,

except where the damage is attributable to the default of the person who sustained it; and any dispute as to a person’s entitlement to compensation in pursuance of this subsection or as to the amount of the compensation shall be determined by arbitration.

(6) A person who wilfully obstructs another person acting in the exercise of any powers conferred on the other person by virtue of the preceding section or this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F15 £100][F15 level 3 on the standard scale].

(7) In the preceding section and this section any reference to an emergency is a reference to a case where a person requiring entry to any land or vessel has reasonable cause to believe that circumstances exist which are likely to endanger life or health and that immediate entry to the land or vessel is necessary to verify the existence of those circumstances or to ascertain their cause or to effect a remedy.

Textual Amendments

F15 Words “level 3 on the standard scale”substituted (11.4.1983) for words “£100” by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21), ss. 289F, 289G (as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), s. 54)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C13 Ss. 91-94 extended (with modifications) (14.10.1991) by Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (c. 14, SIF 46:4), ss. 7(1); S.I. 1991/1618, art. 3

C14 S. 92 extended (20.9.2000) by 2000 c. vii, ss. 1(1), 18

C15 S. 92: certain functions transferred (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 92: certain functions transferred (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 92 modified (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

S. 92 modified (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

C16 S. 92 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Bristol Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1214), arts. 1, 4, Sch.

C17 S. 92 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Cornwall Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1215), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch. (with art. 2)

C18 S. 92 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Southampton Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1218), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C19 S. 92 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Cowes Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1216), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C20 S. 92 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Portsmouth Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1217), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

93 Power of authorities to obtain information. E+W+S

(1) Subject to the following subsection, a relevant authority may serve on any person a notice requiring him to furnish to the authority, within a period or at times specified in the notice and in a form so specified, any information so specified which the authority reasonably considers that it needs for the purposes of any function conferred on the authority by this Act.

(2) Provision may be made by regulations for restricting the information which may be required in pursuance of the preceding subsection and for determining the form in which the information is to be so required.

F16 [(3) A person who—

(a) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirements of a notice served on him in pursuance of this section; or

(b) in furnishing any information in compliance with such a notice, makes any statement which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular or recklessly makes any statement which is false or misleading in a material particular,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(3A) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.]

F17 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 93(3)(3A) substituted (1.4.1996) for s. 93(3) by 1995 c. 25, s. 112, Sch. 19 para. 1(3) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F17 S. 93(4) repealed (S.) (1.4.2006) by The Water Environment (Consequential and Savings Provisions) (Scotland) Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/181), art. 1, Sch. Pt. I (with Sch. Pt. III)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C21 Ss. 91-94 extended (with modifications) (14.10.1991) by Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (c. 14, SIF 46:4), s. 7(1); S.I. 1991/1618, art. 3

C22 S. 93: certain functions transferred (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 93 modified (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

S. 93: certain functions transferred (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

S. 93 modified (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

C23 S. 93 modified (6.4.2010) by The Portsmouth Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1217), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C24 S. 93 modified (6.4.2010) by The Cornwall Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1215), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch. (with art. 2)

C25 S. 93 modified (6.4.2010) by The Cowes Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1216), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C26 S. 93 modified (6.4.2010) by The Southampton Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1218), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C27 S. 93 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Bristol Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1214), arts. 1, 4, Sch.

94 Prohibition of disclosure of information. E+W+S

(1) If a person discloses information relating to any trade secret used in carrying on a particular undertaking and the information has been given to him or obtained by him by virtue of this Act he shall, subject to the following subsection, be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F18 level 5 on the standard scale].

(2) A person shall not be guilty of an offence under the preceding subsection by virtue of the disclosure of any information if—

(a) the disclosure is made—

(i) in the performance of his duty, or

(ii) in pursuance of section 79(1)(b) of this Act, or

(iii) with the consent in writing of a person having a right to disclose the information; or

(b) the information is of a kind prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph and, if regulations made for those purposes provide that information of that kind may only be disclosed in pursuance of the regulations to prescribed persons, the disclosure is to a prescribed person.

F19 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F18 Words “level 5 on the standard scale” substituted (11.4.1983) by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21), ss. 289F, 289G (as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), s. 54)

F19 S. 94(3) repealed (S.) (1.4.2006) by The Water Environment (Consequential and Savings Provisions) (Scotland) Order 2006 (S.S.I. 2006/181), art. 1, Sch. Pt. I (with Sch. Pt. III)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C28 Ss. 91-94 extended (with modifications) (14.10.1991) by Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (c. 14, SIF 46:4), s. 7(1); S.I. 1991/1618, art. 3

C29 S. 94 excluded (14.10.1991) by Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (c. 14, SIF 46:4), s. 7(2); S.I. 1991/1618, art. 3

C30 S. 94: certain functions transferred (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 94 modified (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

S. 94: certain functions transferred (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 94 modified (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

C31 S. 94 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Bristol Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1214), arts. 1, 4, Sch.

C32 S. 94 modified (6.4.2010) by The Portsmouth Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1217), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C33 S. 94 modified (6.4.2010) by The Cornwall Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1215), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch. (with art. 2)

C34 S. 94 modified (6.4.2010) by The Cowes Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1216), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C35 S. 94 modified (6.4.2010) by The Southampton Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1218), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

[F20 95 Service of documents on and by certain undertakers. E+W+S

Section 187 of the Water Act 1989 (service of documents) shall apply for the purposes of the service of any document required or authorised by virtue of this Act to be served on or by a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker as it applies for the purposes of the service of any document required or authorised by virtue of that Act to be served on or by any person.]

Textual Amendments

F20 S. 95 substituted by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)-(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 48(10), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58

96 Local inquiries. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may cause a local inquiry to be held in any case in which he considers it appropriate for such an inquiry to be held either in connection with a provision of this Act or with a view to preventing or dealing with pollution [F21 other than air pollution] or noise at any place.

(2) Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the M6 Local Government Act 1972 (which contain supplementary provisions with respect to local inquiries held in pursuance of that section) shall, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of that section, apply to inquiries in England and Wales in pursuance of the preceding subsection as they apply to inquiries in pursuance of that section [F22 but as if the reference to a local authority in subsection (4) included a reference to a water authority.]

(3) Subsections (2) to (8) of section 210 of the M7 Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (local inquiries) shall, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of that section, apply to inquiries in Scotland in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section as they apply to inquiries held in pursuance of that section. . . F23

Textual Amendments

F21 Words in s. 96(1) inserted (27.8.1993) by 1993 c. 11, ss. 67(1), 68(2), Sch. 4 para. 2

F22 Words repealed (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58, Sch. 27 Pt. I

F23 Words in s. 96(3) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 29(32), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Marginal Citations

M6 1972 c. 70.

M7 1973 c. 65.

97 Default powers. E+W+S

(1) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that any other relevant authority has failed to perform any functions which it ought to have performed, he may make an order declaring the authority to be in default.

(2) An order made by virtue of the preceding subsection which declares an authority to be in default may, for the purpose of remedying the default, direct the authority (hereafter in this section referred to as “the defaulting authority”) to perform such of its functions as are specified in the order and may specify the manner in which and the time or times within which those functions are to be performed by the authority.

(3) If the defaulting authority fails to comply with any direction contained in such an order the Secretary of State may, instead of enforcing the order by mandamus, make an order transferring to himself such of the functions of the authority as he thinks fit.

(4) Where any functions of the defaulting authority are transferred in pursuance of the preceding subsection, the amount of any expenses which the Secretary of State certifies were incurred by him in performing those functions shall on demand be paid to him by the defaulting authority.

(5) Any expenses which in pursuance of the preceding subsection are required to be paid by the defaulting authority in respect of any functions transferred in pursuance of this section shall be defrayed by the authority in the like manner, and shall be debited to the like account, as if the functions had not been transferred and the expenses had been incurred by the authority in performing them; and the authority shall have the like powers for the purpose of raising any money required in pursuance of this subsection as the authority would have had for the purpose of raising money required for defraying expenses incurred for the purposes of the functions in question.

(6) An order transferring any functions of the defaulting authority in pursuance of subsection (3) of this section may provide for the transfer to the Secretary of State of such of the property, rights, liabilities and obligations of the authority as he considers appropriate; and where such an order is revoked the Secretary of State may, by the revoking order or a subsequent order, make such provision as he considers appropriate with respect to any property, rights, liabilities and obligations held by him for the purposes of the transferred functions.

(7) The Secretary of State may by order vary or revoke any order previously made by him in pursuance of this section.

(8) In this section “functions”, in relation to an authority, means functions conferred on the authority by virtue of this Act.

(9) This section shall not apply to Scotland.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C36 S. 97 extended (14.10.1991) by Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (c. 14, SIF 46:4), s. 7(8); S.I. 1991/1618, art. 3

C37 S. 97: certain functions transferred (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 97: certain functions transferred (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 97 modified (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

S. 97 modified (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

C38 S. 97 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Southampton Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1218), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C39 S. 97 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Bristol Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1214), arts. 1, 4, Sch.

C40 S. 97 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Cowes Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1216), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

C41 S. 97 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Cornwall Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1215), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch. (with art. 2)

C42 S. 97 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Portsmouth Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1217), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

98 Interpretation of Part V. E+W+S

In this Part of this Act—

• “functions” includes powers and duties; and

• “relevant authority” means—

  (a)

  in England F24 ., the Secretary of State, [F25 a water authority], a county council, . . . F26 , a district council, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London, the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple and the Under Treasurer of the Middle Temple [F27 and, for the purposes of sections 91 to 93 of this Act, a sewerage undertaker]; and

  (aa)

  [F28 in Wales, the Secretary of State, a county council or a county borough council and, for the purposes of sections 91 to 93 of this Act, a sewerage undertaker; and]

  (b)

  [F29 in Scotland—

  (i)

  as respects sections 91 and 92, a council constituted under section 2 of the M8 Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994; and

  (ii)

  as respects this Part other than those sections, the Secretary of State, SEPA or a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.]

Textual Amendments

F24 S. 98: words in para. (a) of the definition of “relevant authority” repealed (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 22(3), 66(8), Sch. 9 para. 10(4), Sch. 18; S.I. 1996/396, arts. 3, 4, Schs. 1, 2

F25 Words repealed (E.W.) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58, Sch. 27 Pt. I

F26 Words repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 102, Sch. 17

F27 Words inserted (E.W.) (1.9.1989) by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 48(11), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58

F28 S. 98: para. (aa) in the definition of “relevant authority” inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(3), Sch. 9 para. 10(4); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch. 1

F29 S. 98: para. (b) in the definition of “relevant authority” substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 29(33) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C43 S. 98 shall have effect as if in paragraph (a) of the definition of “relevant authority” after the words “Middle Temple” there were inserted (E.W.) (27.12.1985) by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 5, Sch. 2 para. 12 “, any authority established by the Waste Regulation and Disposal (Authorities) Order 1985”

C44 S. 98: certain functions transferred (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 98: certain functions transferred (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(1)(3), Sch. 2

S. 98 modified (7.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1773, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

S. 98 modified (10.1.1992) by S.I. 1991/2913, art. 8(2)(3), Sch. 2

C45 S. 98 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by The Cowes Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1216), arts. 1(1), 4, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M8 1994 c. 39.