Gas Act 1986

[F1 23 Modification of conditions of licences E+W+S

(1) The Authority may make modifications of—

(a) the conditions of a particular licence;

(b) the standard conditions of licences of any type under section 7, 7ZA, [F2 7A(1) or (2) or 7AC].

(2) Before making any modifications under this section, the Authority must give notice—

(a) stating that it proposes to make modifications;

(b) setting out the proposed modifications and their effect;

(c) stating the reasons why it proposes to make the modifications; and

(d) specifying the time within which representations with respect to the proposed modifications may be made.

(3) The time specified by virtue of subsection (2)(d) may not be less than 28 days from the date of the publication of the notice.

(4) A notice under subsection (2) must be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the notice to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications, and

(b) by sending a copy of the notice to—

(i) each relevant licence holder,

(ii) the Secretary of State,

(iii) the Health and Safety Executive, F3 ...

(iv) [F4 Citizens Advice, and

(v) [F5 Consumer Scotland].]

(4A) The Authority must consider any representations which are duly made.]

(5) If, within the time specified [F6 by virtue of subsection (2)(d)] , the Secretary of State directs the Director not to make any modification, the Director shall comply with the direction.

[F7 (6) Subsections (7) to (9) apply where, having complied with subsections (2) to (4A), the Authority decides to proceed with the making of modifications of the conditions of any licence under this section.

(7) The Authority must—

(a) publish the decision and the modifications in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing them to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications,

(b) state the effect of the modifications,

(c) state how it has taken account of any representations duly made, and

(d) state the reason for any differences between the modifications and those set out in the notice by virtue of subsection (2)(b).

(8) Each modification has effect from the date specified by the Authority in relation to that modification (subject to the giving of a direction under paragraph 2 of Schedule 4A).

(9) The date specified by virtue of subsection (8) may not be less than 56 days from the publication of the decision to proceed with the making of modifications under this section.

(10) In this section “relevant licence holder”—

(a) in relation to the modification of standard conditions of licences of any type, means the holder of a licence of that type—

(i) which is to be modified by the inclusion of any new standard condition, or

(ii) which includes any standard conditions to which the modifications relate which are in effect at the time specified by virtue of subsection (2)(d); or

(b) in relation to the modification of a condition of a particular licence (other than a standard condition), means the holder of that particular licence.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 23(1)-(4A) and heading substituted for s. 23(1)-(4) and heading (10.11.2011) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2704), regs. 1(1), 41(3) (with reg. 42)

F2 Words in s. 23(1)(b) substituted (25.5.2024) by The Energy Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/706), regs. 1(2), 2(5)

F3 Word in s. 23(4)(b)(iii) omitted (1.4.2014) by virtue of The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading’s Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 4(5)(a) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, 2 paras. 13-15)

F4 S. 23(4)(b)(iv)(v) substituted for s. 23(4)(b)(iv) (1.4.2014) by The Public Bodies (Abolition of the National Consumer Council and Transfer of the Office of Fair Trading’s Functions in relation to Estate Agents etc) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/631), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 4(5)(b) (with Sch. 1 para. 28, 2 paras. 13-15)

F5 Words in s. 23(4)(b)(v) substituted (13.1.2022) by The Consumer Scotland Act 2020 (Consequential Provisions and Modifications) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/34), art. 1(1), Sch. para. 2(5) (with art. 5)

F6 Words in s. 23(5) substituted (10.11.2011) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2704), regs. 1(1), 41(4) (with reg. 42)

F7 S. 23(6)-(10) substituted for s. 23(6)-(13) (10.11.2011) by The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/2704), regs. 1(1), 41(5) (with reg. 42)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 23 modified (26.12.2023) by Energy Act 2023 (c. 52), ss. 80(2), 334(3)(b)