C1Part I Integrated Pollution Control and Air Pollution Control by Local Authorities
Preliminary
4 Discharge and scope of functions.
1
This section determines the authority by whom the functions conferred or imposed by this Part otherwise than on the Secretary of State are exercisable and the purposes for which they are exercisable.
2
Those functions, in their application to prescribed processes designated for central control, shall be functions of F1the appropriate Agency, and shall be exercisable for the purpose of preventing or minimising pollution of the environment due to the release of substances into any environmental medium.
3
Subject to subsection (4) below, those functions, in their application to prescribed processes designated for local control, shall be functions of—
F2a
in the case of a prescribed process carried on (or to be carried on) by means of a mobile plant, where the person carrying on the process has his principal place of business—
i
in England and Wales, the local authority in whose area that place of business is;
ii
in Scotland, SEPA;
b
in any other cases, where the prescribed processes are (or are to be) carried on—
i
in England and Wales, the local authority in whose area they are (or are to be) carried on;
ii
in Scotland, SEPA;
and the functions applicable to such processes shall be exercisable for the purpose of preventing or minimising pollution of the environment due to the release of substances into the air (but not into any other environmental medium).
4
The Secretary of State may, as respects the functions under this Part being exercised by a local authority specified in the direction, direct that those functions shall be exercised instead by F3the Environment Agency while the direction remains in force or during a period specified in the direction.
F44A
In England and Wales, a local authority, in exercising the functions conferred or imposed on it under this Part by virtue of subsection (3) above, shall have regard to the strategy for the time being published pursuant to section 80 of the Environment Act 1995.
5
6
A direction under subsection (4) above may transfer those functions as exercisable in relation to all or any description of prescribed processes carried on by all or any description of persons (a “general direction”) or in relation to a prescribed process carried on by a specified person (a “specific direction”).
7
A direction under subsection (4) above may include such saving and transitional provisions as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient.
8
The Secretary of State, on giving or withdrawing a direction under subsection (4) above, shall—
a
in the case of a general direction—
i
forthwith serve notice of it on F6the Environment Agency and on the local enforcing authorities affected by the direction; and
ii
cause notice of it to be published as soon as practicable in the London Gazette F7. . . and in at least one newspaper circulating in the area of each authority affected by the direction;
b
in the case of a specific direction—
i
forthwith serve notice of it on F6the Environment Agency, the local enforcing authority and the person carrying on or appearing to the Secretary of State to be carrying on the process affected, and
ii
cause notice of it to be published as soon as practicable in the London Gazette F7. . . and in at least one newspaper circulating in the authority’s area;
and any such notice shall specify the date at which the direction is to take (or took) effect and (where appropriate) its duration.
F88A
The requirements of sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, of paragraph (b) of subsection (8) above shall not apply in any case where, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the publication of notice in accordance with that sub-paragraph would be contrary to the interests of national security.
8B
Subsections (4) to (8A) above shall not apply to Scotland.
F99
It shall be the duty of local authorities to follow such developments in technology and techniques for preventing or reducing pollution of the environment due to releases of substances from prescribed processes as concern releases into the air of substances from prescribed processes designated for local control.
10
It shall be the duty of F10the Environment Agency, SEPA and the local enforcing authorities to give effect to any directions given to them under any provision of this Part.
11
In this Part “local authority” means, subject to subsection (12) below—
a
in Greater London, 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;
b
F13bb
in Wales, a county council or county borough council;
F12c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12
Where, by an order under section 2 of the M1Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, a port health authority has been constituted for any port health district, the port health authority shall have by virtue of this subsection, as respects its district, the functions conferred or imposed by this Part and no such order shall be made assigning those functions; and “local authority” and “area” shall be construed accordingly.
Pt. I (ss. 1-28) modified (1.5.1994) by S.I. 1994/1056, reg. 1(3), 19, Sch. 4 Pt. I para.8
Pt. I (ss. 1-24): functions of River Purification Authorities tranferred (12.10.1995) to SEPA by 1995 c. 25, s. 21(1)(a)(iii)(with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2649, art.2
Pt. I (ss. 1-24): functions of Chief Inspector for Scotland transferred (12.10.1995) to SEPA by 1995 c. 25, s. 21(1)(d)(with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2649, art.2
Pt. I (ss. 1-24): functions of Local Authorities transferred (12.10.1995) to SEPA by 1995 c. 25, s. 21(1)(h)(with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/2649, art.2
Pt. I (ss. 1-28): functions of the Chief Inspector for England and Wales transferred (1.4.1996) to The Environment Agency by 1995 c. 25, s. 2(1)(d)(with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art.3
Pt. I (ss. 1-28) modified (1.2.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 5(5)(e)(with s. 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art.2
Pt. I (ss. 1-28) modified (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 33(5)(e)(with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art.3
Pt. I (ss. 1-28): power to make corresponding provisions conferred (27.7.1999) by 1999 c. 24, s. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 20(1)(a)