In section 33 of the M1Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (restoration or continuation of supply of water, gas or electricity) in subsection (4) for the word “and”, where it first occurs, there shall be substituted “the sum so recoverable, together with any interest accrued due, shall, until recovered, be a charge on the premises concerned and if” and at the end of that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(4A)

A charge under subsection (4) above takes effect from the date when the council makes the payment referred to in that subsection and, for the purposes of enforcing a charge,—

(a)

the council shall have the same powers and remedies, under the Law of Property Act 1925 and otherwise, as if it were a mortgagee by deed having powers of sale and lease, of accepting surrenders of leases and, subject to paragraph (b) below, of appointing a receiver; and

(b)

the power to appoint a receiver shall be exercisable at any time after the expiry of one month from the date when the charge takes effect.”