Water Resources Act 1991

Water resources charges E+W

F1 123 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 121-124 repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s.120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 152, Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F2 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F2 Ss. 121-124 repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 152, Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

125 Specific exemptions from water resources charges. E+W

(1) No charges, other than those for the purpose of recovering administrative expenses attributable to the exercise by the [F3 appropriate agency] of its functions in relation to the application for the licence, shall be levied in respect of water authorised by a licence to be abstracted for use in the production of electricity or any other form of power by any generating station or apparatus of a capacity of not more than five megawatts.

F4 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in ss. 120-143 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 276 (with Sch. 7)

F4 S. 125(2) repealed (1.4.2006) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), s. 105(3), Sch. 7 para. 10, Sch. 9 Pt. 3; S.I. 2006/984, art. 2(s)

126 Agreements containing exemptions from charges. E+W

(1) The [F3 appropriate agency] may, on the application of any person who is liable to pay charges to the [F3 appropriate agency] for the abstraction of water under a licence under Chapter II of Part II of this Act, make an agreement with him either exempting him from the payment of charges or providing for charges to be levied on him at reduced rates specified in the agreement.

(2) In the exercise of its powers under subsection (1) above in relation to any person, the [F3 appropriate agency] shall have regard to—

(a) the extent to which any works constructed at any time by that person or any works to be constructed by him have made, or will make, a beneficial contribution towards the fulfilment of the purposes of the functions of the [F3 appropriate agency] under any enactment;

(b) any financial assistance which that person has rendered, or has agreed to render, towards the carrying out of works by the [F3 appropriate agency] in the performance of those functions; and

(c) any other material considerations.

(3) The Secretary of State may give directions as to the exercise by the [F3 appropriate agency] of its powers under subsection (1) above.

(4) Without prejudice to the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (3) above, if on any application under this section—

(a) the [F3 appropriate agency] refuses to make an agreement with the applicant as mentioned in subsection (1) above; or

(b) the applicant objects to the terms of such an agreement as proposed by the [F3 appropriate agency] and that objection is not withdrawn,

the applicant or the [F3 appropriate agency] may refer the question in dispute to the Secretary of State.

(5) On a reference under subsection (4) above—

(a) the Secretary of State shall determine the question in dispute, having regard to the matters to which, in accordance with subsection (2) above, the [F3 appropriate agency] was required to have regard in relation to the applicant; and

(b) may give directions to the [F3 appropriate agency] requiring it to make an agreement with the applicant in accordance with his decision.

F5 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) Any decision of the Secretary of State on a reference under subsection (4) above shall be final; and section 69 above shall apply in relation to the decision on a reference under this section as it applies in relation to a decision on a reference such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of that section, but as if references to the other party were references to the applicant.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in ss. 120-143 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 276 (with Sch. 7)

F5 S. 126(6) repealed (21.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 153, Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/1983, art. 3

127 Special charges in respect of spray irrigation. E+W

(1) Where a person (“the applicant”) is for the time being the holder of a licence under Chapter II of Part II of this Act to abstract water (“the applicant’s licence"), and in accordance with the provisions of that licence—

(a) the water is to be used on land of which the applicant is the occupier; and

(b) the purposes for which water abstracted in pursuance of the licence is to be used consist of or include spray irrigation,

the applicant may apply to the [F3 appropriate agency] to make an agreement with him under this section and, subject to the following provisions of this section and sections 128 and 129 below, the [F3 appropriate agency] may make such an agreement accordingly.

(2) During any period for which an agreement under this section is in force, the following charges shall be payable by the applicant to the [F3 appropriate agency] in respect of the applicant’s licence, in so far as it relates to water authorised to be abstracted and used on the relevant land, that is to say—

(a) basic charges calculated, in accordance with the agreement, by reference to the quantity of water authorised to be so abstracted and used from time to time in pursuance of the licence; and

(b) supplementary charges calculated, in accordance with the agreement, by reference to the quantity of water which is measured or assessed as being abstracted from time to time by or on behalf of the applicant from the source of supply to which the applicant’s licence relates for use on the relevant land.

(3) In determining—

(a) whether to make an agreement with the applicant under this section; and

(b) the charges to be leviable under such an agreement,

the [F3 appropriate agency] shall have regard to the extent to which, in any year within the period proposed to be specified in the agreement as the period for which it is made, the quantity of water referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above is likely to exceed the quantity referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection.

(4) Where the applicant’s licence authorises water abstracted in pursuance of the licence to be used on the relevant land for purposes which include spray irrigation and other purposes—

(a) any agreement made under this section shall provide for apportioning, as between those purposes respectively, the quantity referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above and the quantity referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection;

(b) subsection (2) above shall have effect as if in each of those paragraphs the reference to the quantity of water mentioned in that paragraph were a reference to so much of that quantity as in accordance with the agreement is apportioned to the purpose of spray irrigation; and

(c) in subsection (3) above any reference to either of those paragraphs shall be construed as a reference to that paragraph as modified by paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(5) An application under subsection (1) above may be made by a person who has applied for, but is not yet the holder of, a licence under Chapter II of Part II of this Act to abstract water; and, in relation to an application so made or to an agreement made on such an application—

(a) the reference in that subsection to the provisions of the applicant’s licence shall be construed as a reference to the proposals contained in the application for a licence; and

(b) any other reference in this section or in section 128 or 129 below to the applicant’s licence shall be construed as a reference to any licence granted to the applicant in pursuance of the application mentioned in paragraph (a) above or in pursuance of an appeal consequential upon the application so mentioned.

(6) In this section and sections 128 and 129 below—

• “the applicant” and “the applicant’s licence” shall be construed, subject to subsection (5) above, in accordance with subsection (1) above;

• “the relevant land” means the land on which the applicant’s licence, as for the time being in force, authorises water abstracted in pursuance of the licence to be used for purposes which consist of or include spray irrigation; and

• “year” means a period of twelve months beginning—

(a) with the date on which an agreement under this section comes into force or is proposed to come into force; or

(b) with an anniversary of that date.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in ss. 120-143 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 276 (with Sch. 7)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 127(1)(4) modified (18.5.1992) by S.I. 1992/1096, arts. 3, 4, Sch.

128 Duration of agreement under section 127. E+W

(1) The period specified in an agreement under section 127 above as the period for which it is made shall not be less than five years.

(2) An agreement under section 127 above shall remain in force until the occurrence of whichever of the following events first occurs, that is to say—

(a) the period specified in the agreement, as mentioned in subsection (1) above, comes to an end;

(b) the applicant’s licence expires or is revoked;

(c) the applicant ceases to be the occupier of the relevant land or, if he has previously ceased to be the occupier of a part or parts of that land, ceases to be the occupier of the remainder of it;

(d) the agreement is terminated under subsection (4) below.

(3) At any time while an agreement under section 127 above is in force, the applicant may apply to the [F3 appropriate agency] to terminate the agreement.

(4) If, on an application for the termination of an agreement under section 127 above, the [F3 appropriate agency] is satisfied that, by reason of any change of circumstances since the agreement was made, it ought to be terminated, it may terminate the agreement, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions (whether as to any payment to be made by the applicant or otherwise) as the [F3 appropriate agency] and the applicant may agree.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in ss. 120-143 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 276 (with Sch. 7)

129 Directions and appeals with respect to exercise of powers under sections 127 and 128. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may give directions as to the exercise by the [F3 appropriate agency] of its powers under sections 127 and 128 above.

(2) Without prejudice to the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (1) above, if on any application under section 127 or 128 above—

(a) the [F3 appropriate agency] refuses to make or terminate an agreement under section 127 above; or

(b) the applicant objects to the proposals of the [F3 appropriate agency] —

(i) as to the terms of such an agreement; or

(ii) as to the conditions subject to which such an agreement is to be terminated,

and that objection is not withdrawn,

the applicant or the [F3 appropriate agency] may refer the question in dispute to the Secretary of State.

(3) On a reference under subsection (2) above—

(a) the Secretary of State shall determine the question in dispute, having regard to the matters to which, in accordance with subsection (3) of section 127 above, the [F3 appropriate agency] would be required to have regard in relation to the applicant on an application under that section; and

(b) may give directions to the [F3 appropriate agency] requiring it to make an agreement with the applicant in accordance with his decision.

F6 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) Any decision of the Secretary of State on a reference under subsection (2) above shall be final; and section 69 above shall apply in relation to the decision on a reference under this section as it applies in relation to a decision on a reference such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of that section, but as if references to the other party were references to the applicant.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in ss. 120-143 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 276 (with Sch. 7)

F6 S. 129(4) repealed (21.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1)(3), Sch. 22 para. 153 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/1983, art. 3

130 Charges in respect of abstraction from waters of [F7 Canal & River Trust]. E+W

(1) Where [F8 Canal & River Trust] are the holders of a licence under Chapter II of Part II of this Act authorising abstraction from any inland waters to which section 66 above applies, then, the charges which, apart from this subsection, would be payable in respect of that licence either—

(a) shall be reduced to such extent, and as so reduced shall be payable subject to such conditions; or

(b) shall not be payable,

as [F8 Canal & River Trust] and the [F3 appropriate agency] may agree or, in default of such agreement, the Secretary of State may determine.

(2) Where—

(a) a person other than [F9 Canal & River Trust] is the holder of a licence under Chapter II of Part II of this Act authorising abstraction from any inland waters to which section 66 above applies; and

(b) any charges in respect of that licence are payable,

the [F3 appropriate agency] shall pay to [F9 Canal & River Trust] such proportion of those charges, subject to such conditions, as [F9 Canal & River Trust] and the [F3 appropriate agency] may agree, or, in default of such agreement, the Secretary of State may determine.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in ss. 120-143 substituted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 276 (with Sch. 7)

F7 Words in s. 130 heading substituted (2.7.2012) by The British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 11(4) (with arts. 4-6)

F8 Words in s. 130(1) substituted (2.7.2012) by The British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 11(5) (with arts. 4-6)

F9 Words in s. 130(2) substituted (2.7.2012) by The British Waterways Board (Transfer of Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1659), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 11(5) (with arts. 4-6)