The Water Services Charges (Billing and Collection) (Scotland) Order 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

With effect from 1st April 1996, responsibility for water and sewerage services in Scotland will transfer from local authorities to three new water authorities, established under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. This Order provides that, as regards financial year 1996-97, each local authority in Scotland will be responsible for demanding and recovering charges payable in respect of services provided by those new water authorities to dwellings in the area of the local authority (other than charges for a supply of water taken by meter).

Provision is made for the local authorities to account to the water authorities for sums collected (articles 3 to 7), for the forms and procedures to be used or followed by the local authorities in demanding payment (articles 8 to 10) and for chargepayers to have a right of appeal to the relevant valuation appeal committee (articles 11 and 12). Article 13 requires each local authority to keep accounts and records of all transactions under the Order and gives the appropriate water authority the right to inspect such accounts and records.