Environmental Protection Act 1990

1990 c. 43

An Act to make provision for the improved control of pollution arising from certain industrial and other processes; to re-enact the provisions of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 relating to waste on land with modifications as respects the functions of the regulatory and other authorities concerned in the collection and disposal of waste and to make further provision in relation to such waste; to restate the law defining statutory nuisances and improve the summary procedures for dealing with them, to provide for the termination of the existing controls over offensive trades or businesses and to provide for the extension of the Clean Air Acts to prescribed gases; to amend the law relating to litter and make further provision imposing or conferring powers to impose duties to keep public places clear of litter and clean; to make provision conferring powers in relation to trolleys abandoned on land in the open air; to amend the Radioactive Substances Act 1960; to make provision for the control of genetically modified organisms; to make provision for the abolition of the Nature Conservancy Council and for the creation of councils to replace it and discharge the functions of that Council and, as respects Wales, of the Countryside Commission; to make further provision for the control of the importation, exportation, use, supply or storage of prescribed substances and articles and the importation or exportation of prescribed descriptions of waste; to confer powers to obtain information about potentially hazardous substances; to amend the law relating to the control of hazardous substances on, over or under land; to amend section 107(6) of the Water Act 1989 and sections 31(7)(a), 31A(2)(c)(i) and 32(7)(a) of the Control of Pollution Act 1974; to amend the provisions of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 as regards the dumping of waste at sea; to make further provision as respects the prevention of oil pollution from ships; to make provision for and in connection with the identification and control of dogs; to confer powers to control the burning of crop residues; to make provision in relation to financial or other assistance for purposes connected with the environment; to make provision as respects superannuation of employees of the Groundwork Foundation and for remunerating the chairman of the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council; and for purposes connected with those purposes.

Enacted[1st November 1990]

^C1^C80^C84^C98Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

^C2^C207^C290 Part I Integrated Pollution Control and Air Pollution Control by Local Authorities¶

Preliminary¶

^C31 Preliminary.¶

1 The following provisions have effect for the interpretation of this Part.

2 The “environment” consists of all, or any, of the following media, namely, the air, water and land; and the medium of air includes the air within buildings and the air within other natural or man-made structures above or below ground.

3 “Pollution of the environment” means pollution of the environment due to the release (into any environmental medium) from any process of substances which are capable of causing harm to man or any other living organisms supported by the environment.

4 “Harm” means harm to the health of living organisms or other interference with the ecological systems of which they form part and, in the case of man, includes offence caused to any of his senses or harm to his property; and “harmless” has a corresponding meaning.

5 “Process” means any activities carried on in Great Britain, whether on premises or by means of mobile plant, which are capable of causing pollution of the environment and “prescribed process” means a process prescribed under section 2(1) below.

6 For the purposes of subsection (5) above—

“activities” means industrial or commercial activities or activities of any other nature whatsoever (including, with or without other activities, the keeping of a substance);
“Great Britain” includes so much of the adjacent territorial sea as is, or is treated as, relevant territorial waters for the purposes of [^F1Part III of the Water Resources Act 1991] or, as respects Scotland, Part II of the ^M1Control of Pollution Act 1974; and
“mobile plant” means plant which is designed to move or to be moved whether on roads or otherwise.

7 The “enforcing authority”, in relation to England and Wales, is the Environment Agency or the local authority by which, under section 4 below, the functions conferred or imposed by this Part otherwise than on the Secretary of State are for the time being exercisable in relation respectively to releases of substances into the environment or into the air; and “local enforcing authority” means any such local authority.

^F38 In relation to Scotland, references to the “enforcing authority” and a “local enforcing authority” are references to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (in this Part referred to as “SEPA”).

9 “Authorisation” means an authorisation for a process (whether on premises or by means of mobile plant) granted under section 6 below; and a reference to the conditions of an authorisation is a reference to the conditions subject to which at any time the authorisation has effect.

10 A substance is “released” into any environmental medium whenever it is released directly into that medium whether it is released into it within or outside Great Britain and “release” includes—

a in relation to air, any emission of the substance into the air;

b in relation to water, any entry (including any discharge) of the substance into water;

c in relation to land, any deposit, keeping or disposal of the substance in or on land;

and for this purpose “water” and “land” shall be construed in accordance with subsections (11) and (12) below.

11 For the purpose of determining into what medium a substance is released—

a any release into—

i the sea or the surface of the seabed,

ii any river, watercourse, lake, loch or pond (whether natural or artificial or above or below ground) or reservoir or the surface of the riverbed or of other land supporting such waters, or

iii ground waters,

is a release into water;

b any release into—

i land covered by water falling outside paragraph (a) above or the water covering such land; or

ii the land beneath the surface of the seabed or of other land supporting waters falling within paragraph (a)(ii) above,

is a release into land; and

c any release into a sewer (within the meaning of [^F4the Water Industry Act 1991] or, in relation to Scotland, of the ^M2Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968) shall be treated as a release into water;

but a sewer and its contents shall be disregarded in determining whether there is pollution of the environment at any time.

12 In subsection (11) above “ground waters” means any waters contained in underground strata, or in—

a a well, borehole or similar work sunk into underground strata, including any adit or passage constructed in connection with the well, borehole or work for facilitating the collection of water in the well, borehole or work; or

b any excavation into underground strata where the level of water in the excavation depends wholly or mainly on water entering it from the strata.

13 “Substance” shall be treated as including electricity or heat and “prescribed substance” has the meaning given by section 2(7) below.

^F514 In this Part “the appropriate Agency” means—

a in relation to England and Wales, the Environment Agency; and

b in relation to Scotland, SEPA.

2 Prescribed processes and prescribed substances.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, prescribe any description of process as a process for the carrying on of which after a prescribed date an authorisation is required under section 6 below.

2 Regulations under subsection (1) above may frame the description of a process by reference to any characteristics of the process or the area or other circumstances in which the process is carried on or the description of person carrying it on.

3 Regulations under subsection (1) above may prescribe or provide for the determination under the regulations of different dates for different descriptions of persons and may include such transitional provisions as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient as respects the making of applications for authorisations and suspending the application of section 6(1) below until the determination of applications made within the period allowed by the regulations.

4 Regulations under subsection (1) above shall, as respects each description of process, designate it as one for central control or one for local control.

5 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, prescribe any description of substance as a substance the release of which into the environment is subject to control under sections 6 and 7 below.

6 Regulations under subsection (5) above may—

a prescribe separately, for each environmental medium, the substances the release of which into that medium is to be subject to control; and

b provide that a description of substance is only prescribed, for any environmental medium, so far as it is released into that medium in such amounts over such periods, in such concentrations or in such other circumstances as may be specified in the regulations;

and in relation to a substance of a description which is prescribed for releases into the air, the regulations may designate the substance as one for central control or one for local control.

7 In this Part “prescribed substance” means any substance of a description prescribed in regulations under subsection (5) above or, in the case of a substance of a description prescribed only for releases in circumstances specified under subsection (6)(b) above, means any substance of that description which is released in those circumstances.

3 Emission etc. limits and quality objectives.¶

1 The Secretary of State may make regulations under subsection (2) or (4) below establishing standards, objectives or requirements in relation to particular prescribed processes or particular substances.

2 Regulations under this subsection may—

a in relation to releases of any substance from prescribed processes into any environmental medium, prescribe standard limits for—

i the concentration, the amount or the amount in any period of that substance which may be so released; and

ii any other characteristic of that substance in any circumstances in which it may be so released;

b prescribe standard requirements for the measurement or analysis of, or of releases of, substances for which limits have been set under paragraph (a) above; and

c in relation to any prescribed process, prescribe standards or requirements as to any aspect of the process.

3 Regulations under subsection (2) above may make different provision in relation to different cases, including different provision in relation to different processes, descriptions of person, localities or other circumstances.

4 Regulations under this subsection may establish for any environmental medium (in all areas or in specified areas) quality objectives or quality standards in relation to any substances which may be released into that or any other medium from any process.

5 The Secretary of State may make plans for—

a establishing limits for the total amount, or the total amount in any period, of any substance which may be released into the environment in, or in any area within, the United Kingdom;

b allocating quotas as respects the release of substances to persons carrying on processes in respect of which any such limit is established;

c establishing limits of the descriptions specified in subsection (2)(a) above so as progressively to reduce pollution of the environment;

d the progressive improvement in the quality objectives and quality standards established by regulations under subsection (4) above;

and the Secretary of State may, from time to time, revise any plan so made.

6 Regulations or plans under this section may be made for any purposes of this Part or for other purposes.

7 The Secretary of State shall give notice in the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes of the making and the revision of any plan under subsection (5) above and shall make the documents containing the plan, or the plan as so revised, available for inspection by members of the public at the places specified in the notice.

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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 the 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—

^F7a 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 the Environment Agency while the direction remains in force or during a period specified in the direction.

^F94A 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 A transfer of functions under subsection (4) above to the Environment Agency does not make them exercisable by that Agency for the purpose of preventing or minimising pollution of the environment due to releases of substances into any other environmental medium than the air.

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 the 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 ^F12. . . 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 the 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 ^F12. . . 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.

^F138A 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.

^F149 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 the 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 in England ^F16. . .,outside Greater London, a district council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly; ^F17. . .

^F18bb in Wales, a county council or county borough council;

^F17c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12 Where, by an order under section 2 of the ^M3Public 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.

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Authorisations¶

6 Authorisations: general provisions.¶

^C41 No person shall carry on a prescribed process after the date prescribed or determined for that description of process by or under regulations under section 2(1) above (but subject to any transitional provision made by the regulations) except under an authorisation granted by the enforcing authority and in accordance with the conditions to which it is subject.

2 An application for an authorisation shall be made to the enforcing authority in accordance with Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act and shall be accompanied by

^F20a in a case where, by virtue of section 41 of the Environment Act 1995, a charge prescribed by a charging scheme under that section is required to be paid to the appropriate Agency in respect of the application, the charge so prescribed; or

b in any other case, the fee prescribed under section 8(2)(a) below.

3 Where an application is duly made to the enforcing authority, the authority shall either grant the authorisation subject to the conditions required or authorised to be imposed by section 7 below or refuse the application.

4 An application shall not be granted unless the enforcing authority considers that the applicant will be able to carry on the process so as to comply with the conditions which would be included in the authorisation.

5 The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in relation to any application for an authorisation, give to the enforcing authority directions as to whether or not the authority should grant the authorisation.

6 Subject to subsection (6A) below, the enforcing authority shall, as respects each authorisation in respect of which it has functions under this Part, from time to time but not less frequently than once in every period of four years, carry out a review of the conditions of the authorisation.

6A Subsection (6) above shall not require a review of the conditions of an authorisation to be carried out if–

a the prescribed process covered by the authorisation is carried on in a new Part A installation or by means of a new Part A mobile plant;

b the prescribed process covered by the authorisation is carried on in an existing Part A installation or by means of an existing Part A mobile plant and the review would be carried out within the period of two years ending at the beginning of the relevant period for that installation or mobile plant;

c the prescribed process covered by the authorisation is carried on in an existing Part B installation or by means of an existing Part B mobile plant and the review would be carried out within the two year period ending on the relevant date for that installation or mobile plant.

Subsection (6) does not require a review of the conditions of an authorisation to be carried out if the prescribed process covered by the authorisation is—

a a Part A activity,

b a Part B activity,

c a solvent emission activity, or

d carried out using mobile plant.

6B In subsection (6A) above, “new Part A installation”, “existing Part A installation”, “new Part A mobile plant”, “existing Part A mobile plant”, “relevant period”, “existing Part B installation”, “existing Part B mobile plant” and “relevant date” have the meanings given in Schedule 3 to the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2000.In subsection (6A), “Part A activity”, “Part B activity”, “solvent emission activity” and “mobile plant” have the meanings given in the Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012.

7 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, substitute for the period for the time being specified in subsection (6) above such other period as he thinks fit.

8 Schedule 1 to this Act (supplementary provisions) shall have effect in relation to authorisations.

7 Conditions of authorisations.¶

1 There shall be included in an authorisation—

a subject to paragraph (b) below, such specific conditions as the enforcing authority considers appropriate, when taken with the general condition implied by subsection (4) below, for achieving the objectives specified in subsection (2) below;

b such conditions as are specified in directions given by the Secretary of State under subsection (3) below; and

c such other conditions (if any) as appear to the enforcing authority to be appropriate;

but no conditions shall be imposed for the purpose only of securing the health of persons at work (within the meaning of Part I of the ^M4Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974).

2 Those objectives are—

a ensuring that, in carrying on a prescribed process, the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost will be used—

i for preventing the release of substances prescribed for any environmental medium into that medium or, where that is not practicable by such means, for reducing the release of such substances to a minimum and for rendering harmless any such substances which are so released; and

ii for rendering harmless any other substances which might cause harm if released into any environmental medium;

b compliance with any directions by the Secretary of State given for the implementation of any assimilated obligations or international law relating to environmental protection;

c compliance with any limits or requirements and achievement of any quality standards or quality objectives prescribed by the Secretary of State under any of the relevant enactments;

d compliance with any requirements applicable to the grant of authorisations specified by or under a plan made by the Secretary of State under section 3(5) above.

3 Except as respects the general condition implied by subsection (4) below, the Secretary of State may give directions to the enforcing authorities as to the conditions which are, or are not, to be included in all authorisations, in authorisations of any specified description or in any particular authorisation.

4 Subject to subsections (5) and (6) below, there is implied in every authorisation a general condition that, in carrying on the process to which the authorisation applies, the person carrying it on must use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost—

a for preventing the release of substances prescribed for any environmental medium into that medium or, where that is not practicable by such means, for reducing the release of such substances to a minimum and for rendering harmless any such substances which are so released; and

b for rendering harmless any other substances which might cause harm if released into any environmental medium.

5 In the application of subsections (1) to (4) above to authorisations granted by a local enforcing authority references to the release of substances into any environmental medium are to be read as references to the release of substances into the air.

6 The obligation implied by virtue of subsection (4) above shall not apply in relation to any aspect of the process in question which is regulated by a condition imposed under subsection (1) above.

7 The objectives referred to in subsection (2) above shall, where the process—

a is one designated for central control; and

b is likely to involve the release of substances into more than one environmental medium;

include the objective of ensuring that the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost will be used for minimising the pollution which may be caused to the environment taken as a whole by the releases having regard to the best practicable environmental option available as respects the substances which may be released.

8 An authorisation for carrying on a prescribed process may, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, include conditions—

a imposing limits on the amount or composition of any substance produced by or utilised in the process in any period; and

b requiring advance notification of any proposed change in the manner of carrying on the process.

9 This section has effect subject to section 28 below ^F23. . .

10 References to the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost, in relation to a process, include (in addition to references to any technical means and technology) references to the number, qualifications, training and supervision of persons employed in the process and the design, construction, lay-out and maintenance of the buildings in which it is carried on.

11 It shall be the duty of enforcing authorities to have regard to any guidance issued to them by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the application of subsections (2) and (7) above as to the techniques and environmental options that are appropriate for any description of prescribed process.

12 In subsection (2) above “the relevant enactments” are any enactments or instruments contained in or made for the time being under—

a section 2 of the ^M5Clean Air Act 1968;

b assimilated law;

c Part I of the ^M6Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;

d Parts II, III or IV of the ^M7Control of Pollution Act 1974;

^F24e the Water Resources Act 1991; and

f section 3 of this Act ; and

g section 87 of the Environment Act 1995. and

h Part 1 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 3).

^C5^C1148 Fees and charges for authorisations.¶

1 There shall be charged by and paid to the local enforcing authority such fees and charges as may be prescribed from time to time by a scheme under subsection (2) below (whether by being specified in or made calculable under the scheme).

2 The Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, make, and from time to time revise, a scheme prescribing—

a fees payable in respect of applications for authorisations;

b fees payable by persons holding authorisations in respect of, or of applications for, the variation of authorisations; and

c charges payable by such persons in respect of the subsistence of their authorisations.

3 The Secretary of State shall, on making or revising a scheme under subsection (2) above, lay a copy of the scheme or of the alterations made in the scheme or, if he considers it more appropriate, the scheme as revised, before each House of Parliament.

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5 A scheme under subsection (2) above may, in particular—

a make different provision for different cases, including different provision in relation to different persons, circumstances or localities;

b allow for reduced fees or charges to be payable in respect of authorisations for a number of prescribed processes carried on by the same person;

c provide for the times at which and the manner in which the payments required by the scheme are to be made; and

d make such incidental, supplementary and transitional provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

6 The Secretary of State, in framing a scheme under subsection (2) above, shall, so far as practicable, secure that the fees and charges payable under the scheme are sufficient, taking one financial year with another, to cover the relevant expenditure attributable to authorisations.

7 The “relevant expenditure attributable to authorisations” is the expenditure incurred by the local enforcing authorities in exercising their functions under this Part in relation to authorisations ^F29. . . together with the expenditure incurred by the Environment Agency in exercising, in relation to authorisations granted by local enforcing authorities or the prescribed processes to which such authorisations relate, such of its functions as are specified in the scheme.

8 If it appears to the local enforcing authority that the holder of an authorisation has failed to pay a charge due in consideration of the subsistence of the authorisation, it may, by notice in writing served on the holder, revoke the authorisation.

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^F3310 The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to Scotland.

9 Transfer of authorisations.¶

1 An authorisation for the carrying on of any prescribed process may be transferred by the holder to a person who proposes to carry on the process in the holder’s place.

2 Where an authorisation is transferred under this section, the person to whom it is transferred shall notify the enforcing authority in writing of that fact not later than the end of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date of the transfer.

3 An authorisation which is transferred under this section shall have effect on and after the date of the transfer as if it had been granted to that person under section 6 above, subject to the same conditions as were attached to it immediately before that date.

10 Variation of authorisations by enforcing authority.¶

1 The enforcing authority may at any time, subject to the requirements of section 7 above, and, in cases to which they apply, the requirements of Part II of Schedule 1 to this Act, vary an authorisation and shall do so if it appears to the authority at that time that that section requires conditions to be included which are different from the subsisting conditions.

2 Where the enforcing authority has decided to vary an authorisation under subsection (1) above the authority shall notify the holder of the authorisation and serve a variation notice on him.

3 In this Part a “variation notice” is a notice served by the enforcing authority on the holder of an authorisation—

a specifying variations of the authorisation which the enforcing authority has decided to make; and

b specifying the date or dates on which the variations are to take effect;

and, unless the notice is withdrawn or is varied under subsection (3A) below, the variations specified in a variation notice shall take effect on the date or dates so specified.

^F353A An enforcing authority which has served a variation notice may vary that notice by serving on the holder of the authorisation in question a further notice—

a specifying the variations which the enforcing authority has decided to make to the variation notice; and

b specifying the date or dates on which the variations specified in the variation notice, as varied by the further notice, are to take effect;

and any reference in this Part to a variation notice, or to a variation notice served under subsection (2) above, includes a reference to such a notice as varied by a further notice served under this subsection.

4 A variation notice served under subsection (2) above shall also—

a require the holder of the authorisation, within such period as may be specified in the notice, to notify the authority what action (if any) he proposes to take to ensure that the process is carried on in accordance with the authorisation as varied by the notice; and

^F36b require the holder to pay, within such period as may be specified in the notice,—

i in a case where the enforcing authority is the Environment Agency or SEPA, the charge (if any) prescribed for the purpose by a charging scheme under section 41 of the Environment Act 1995; or

ii in any other case, the fee (if any) prescribed by a scheme under section 8 above.

5 Where in the opinion of the enforcing authority any action to be taken by the holder of an authorisation in consequence of a variation notice served under subsection (2) above will involve a substantial change in the manner in which the process is being carried on, the enforcing authority shall notify the holder of its opinion.

6 The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in relation to authorisations of any description or particular authorisations, direct the enforcing authorities—

a to exercise their powers under this section, or to do so in such circumstances as may be specified in the directions, in such manner as may be so specified; or

b not to exercise those powers, or not to do so in such circumstances or such manner as may be so specified;

and the Secretary of State shall have the corresponding power of direction in respect of the powers of the enforcing authorities to vary authorisations under section 11 below.

7 In this section and section 11 below a “substantial change”, in relation to a prescribed process being carried on under an authorisation, means a substantial change in the substances released from the process or in the amount or any other characteristic of any substance so released; and the Secretary of State may give directions to the enforcing authorities as to what does or does not constitute a substantial change in relation to processes generally, any description of process or any particular process.

8 In this section and section 11 below—

“prescribed” means prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State;
“vary”
1. ^F37, in relation to the subsisting conditions or other provisions of an authorisation, means adding to them or varying or rescinding any of them; and
2. in relation to a variation notice, means adding to, or varying or rescinding the notice or any of its contents;
and “variation” shall be construed accordingly.

11 Variation of conditions etc: applications by holders of authorisations.¶

1 A person carrying on a prescribed process under an authorisation who wishes to make a relevant change in the process may at any time—

a notify the enforcing authority in the prescribed form of that fact, and

b request the enforcing authority to make a determination, in relation to the proposed change, of the matters mentioned in subsection (2) below;

and a person making a request under paragraph (b) above shall furnish the enforcing authority with such information as may be prescribed or as the authority may by notice require.

2 On receiving a request under subsection (1) above the enforcing authority shall determine—

a whether the proposed change would involve a breach of any condition of the authorisation;

b if it would not involve such a breach, whether the authority would be likely to vary the conditions of the authorisation as a result of the change;

c if it would involve such a breach, whether the authority would consider varying the conditions of the authorisation so that the change may be made; and

d whether the change would involve a substantial change in the manner in which the process is being carried on;

and the enforcing authority shall notify the holder of the authorisation of its determination of those matters.

3 Where the enforcing authority has determined that the proposed change would not involve a substantial change, but has also determined under paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (2) above that the change would lead to or require the variation of the conditions of the authorisation, then—

a the enforcing authority shall (either on notifying its determination under that subsection or on a subsequent occasion) notify the holder of the authorisation of the variations which the authority is likely to consider making; and

b the holder may apply in the prescribed form to the enforcing authority for the variation of the conditions of the authorisation so that he may make the proposed change.

4 Where the enforcing authority has determined that a proposed change would involve a substantial change that would lead to or require the variation of the conditions of the authorisation, then—

a the authority shall (either on notifying its determination under subsection (2) above or on a subsequent occasion) notify the holder of the authorisation of the variations which the authority is likely to consider making; and

b the holder of the authorisation shall, if he wishes to proceed with the change, apply in the prescribed form to the enforcing authority for the variation of the conditions of the authorisation.

5 The holder of an authorisation may at any time, unless he is carrying on a prescribed process under the authorisation and wishes to make a relevant change in the process, apply to the enforcing authority in the prescribed form for the variation of the conditions of the authorisation.

6 A person carrying on a process under an authorisation who wishes to make a relevant change in the process may, where it appears to him that the change will require the variation of the conditions of the authorisation, apply to the enforcing authority in the prescribed form for the variation of the conditions of the authorisation specified in the application.

7 A person who makes an application for the variation of the conditions of an authorisation shall furnish the authority with such information as may be prescribed or as the authority may by notice require.

8 On an application for variation of the conditions of an authorisation under any provision of this section—

a the enforcing authority may, having fulfilled the requirements of Part II of Schedule 1 to this Act in cases to which they apply, as it thinks fit either refuse the application or, subject to the requirements of section 7 above, vary the conditions or, in the case of an application under subsection (6) above, treat the application as a request for a determination under subsection (2) above; and

b if the enforcing authority decides to vary the conditions, it shall serve a variation notice on the holder of the authorisation.

^F399 Any application to the enforcing authority under this section shall be accompanied—

a in a case where the enforcing authority is the Environment Agency or SEPA, by the charge (if any) prescribed for the purpose by a charging scheme under section 41 of the Environment Act 1995; or

b in any other case, by the fee (if any) prescribed by a scheme under section 8 above.

10 This section applies to any provision other than a condition which is contained in an authorisation as it applies to a condition with the modification that any reference to the breach of a condition shall be read as a reference to acting outside the scope of the authorisation.

11 For the purposes of this section a relevant change in a prescribed process is a change in the manner of carrying on the process which is capable of altering the substances released from the process or of affecting the amount or any other characteristic of any substance so released.

12 Revocation of authorisation.¶

1 The enforcing authority may at any time revoke an authorisation by notice in writing to the person holding the authorisation.

2 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the enforcing authority may revoke an authorisation where it has reason to believe that a prescribed process for which the authorisation is in force has not been carried on or not for a period of twelve months.

3 The revocation of an authorisation under this section shall have effect from the date specified in the notice; and the period between the date on which the notice is served and the date so specified shall not be less than twenty-eight days.

4 The enforcing authority may, before the date on which the revocation of an authorisation takes effect, withdraw the notice or vary the date specified in it.

5 The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in relation to an authorisation, give to the enforcing authority directions as to whether the authority should revoke the authorisation under this section.

Enforcement¶

13 Enforcement notices.¶

1 If the enforcing authority is of the opinion that the person carrying on a prescribed process under an authorisation is contravening any condition of the authorisation, or is likely to contravene any such condition, the authority may serve on him a notice (“an enforcement notice”).

2 An enforcement notice shall—

a state that the authority is of the said opinion;

b specify the matters constituting the contravention or the matters making it likely that the contravention will arise, as the case may be;

c specify the steps that must be taken to remedy the contravention or to remedy the matters making it likely that the contravention will arise, as the case may be; and

d specify the period within which those steps must be taken.

3 The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in relation to the carrying on by any person of a prescribed process, give to the enforcing authority directions as to whether the authority should exercise its powers under this section and as to the steps which are to be required to be taken under this section.

^F404 The enforcing authority may, as respects any enforcement notice it has issued to any person, by notice in writing served on that person, withdraw the notice.

14 Prohibition notices.¶

1 If the enforcing authority is of the opinion, as respects the carrying on of a prescribed process under an authorisation, that the continuing to carry it on, or the continuing to carry it on in a particular manner, involves an imminent risk of serious pollution of the environment the authority shall serve a notice (a “prohibition notice”) on the person carrying on the process.

2 A prohibition notice may be served whether or not the manner of carrying on the process in question contravenes a condition of the authorisation and may relate to any aspects of the process, whether regulated by the conditions of the authorisation or not.

3 A prohibition notice shall—

a state the authority’s opinion;

b specify the risk involved in the process;

c specify the steps that must be taken to remove it and the period within which they must be taken; and

d direct that the authorisation shall, until the notice is withdrawn, wholly or to the extent specified in the notice cease to have effect to authorise the carrying on of the process;

and where the direction applies to part only of the process it may impose conditions to be observed in carrying on the part which is authorised to be carried on.

4 The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in relation to the carrying on by any person of a prescribed process, give to the enforcing authority directions as to—

a whether the authority should perform its duties under this section; and

b the matters to be specified in any prohibition notice in pursuance of subsection (3) above which the authority is directed to issue.

5 The enforcing authority shall, as respects any prohibition notice it has issued to any person, by notice in writing served on that person, withdraw the notice when it is satisfied that the steps required by the notice have been taken.

^C615 Appeals as respects authorisations and against variation, enforcement and prohibition notices.¶

1 The following persons, namely—

a a person who has been refused the grant of an authorisation under section 6 above;

b a person who is aggrieved by the conditions attached, under any provision of this Part, to his authorisation;

c a person who has been refused a variation of an authorisation on an application under section 11 above;

d a person whose authorisation has been revoked under section 12 above;

may appeal against the decision of the enforcing authority to the Secretary of State (except where the decision implements a direction of his).

2 A person on whom a variation notice, an enforcement notice or a prohibition notice is served may appeal against the notice to the Secretary of State (except where the notice implements a direction of his)..

^F423 This section is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).

4 An appeal under this section shall, if and to the extent required by regulations under subsection (10) below, be advertised in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under that subsection.

^F435 Before determining an appeal under this section, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit—

a cause the appeal to take or continue in the form of a hearing (which may, if the person hearing the appeal so decides, be held, or held to any extent, in private); or

b cause a local inquiry to be held;

and the Secretary of State shall act as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above if a request is made by either party to the appeal to be heard with respect to the appeal.

6 On determining an appeal against a decision of an enforcing authority under subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State—

a may affirm the decision;

b where the decision was a refusal to grant an authorisation or a variation of an authorisation, may direct the enforcing authority to grant the authorisation or to vary the authorisation, as the case may be;

c where the decision was as to the conditions attached to an authorisation, may quash all or any of the conditions of the authorisation;

d where the decision was to revoke an authorisation, may quash the decision;

and where he exercises any of the powers in paragraphs (b), (c) or (d) above, he may give directions as to the conditions to be attached to the authorisation.

7 On the determination of an appeal under subsection (2) above the Secretary of State may either quash or affirm the notice and, if he affirms it, may do so either in its original form or with such modifications as he may in the circumstances think fit.

8 Where an appeal is brought under subsection (1) above against the revocation of an authorisation, the revocation shall not take effect pending the final determination or the withdrawal of the appeal.

9 Where an appeal is brought under subsection (2) above against a notice, the bringing of the appeal shall not have the effect of suspending the operation of the notice.

10 Provision may be made by the Secretary of State by regulations with respect to appeals under this section and in particular—

a as to the period within which and the manner in which appeals are to be brought; and

b as to the manner in which appeals are to be considered.and any such regulations may make different provision for different cases or different circumstances.

^F4516 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F4617 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F4718 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

19 Obtaining of information from persons and authorities.¶

1 For the purposes of the discharge of his functions under this Part, the Secretary of State may, by notice in writing served on an enforcing authority, require the authority to furnish such information about the discharge of its functions as an enforcing authority under this Part as he may require.

2 For the purposes of the discharge of their respective functions under this Part, the following authorities, that is to say—

a the Secretary of State,

b a local enforcing authority,

^F48c the Environment Agency, and

d SEPA,

may, by notice in writing served on any person, require that person to furnish to the authority such information which the authority reasonably considers that it needs as is specified in the notice, in such form and within such period following service of the notice , or at such time, as is so specified.

3 For the purposes of this section the discharge by the Secretary of State of an obligation of the United Kingdom under ^F864... any international agreement relating to environmental protection shall be treated as a function of his under this Part.

Publicity¶

20 Public registers of information.¶

1 It shall be the duty of each enforcing authority, as respects prescribed processes for which it is the enforcing authority, to maintain, in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State, a register containing prescribed particulars of or relating to—

a applications for authorisations made to that authority;

b the authorisations which have been granted by that authority or in respect of which the authority has functions under this Part;

c variation notices, enforcement notices and prohibition notices issued by that authority;

d revocations of authorisations effected by that authority;

e appeals under section 15 above;

f convictions for such offences under section 23(1) below as may be prescribed;

g information obtained or furnished in pursuance of the conditions of authorisations or under any provision of this Part;

h directions given to the authority under any provision of this Part by the Secretary of State; and

i such other matters relating to the carrying on of prescribed processes or any pollution of the environment caused thereby as may be prescribed;

but that duty is subject to sections 21 and 22 below.

2 Subject to subsection (4) below, the register maintained by a local enforcing authority in England and Wales shall also contain prescribed particulars of such information contained in any register maintained by the Environment Agency as relates to the carrying on in the area of the authority of prescribed processes in relation to which the Environment Agency has functions under this Part; and the Environment Agency shall furnish each authority with the particulars which are necessary to enable it to discharge its duty under this subsection.

^F523 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 Subsection (2) above does not apply to port health authorities but each local enforcing authority in England and Wales whose area adjoins that of a port health authority shall include corresponding information in the register maintained by it; and the Environment Agency shall furnish each such local enforcing authority with the particulars which are necessary to enable it to discharge its duty under this subsection.

5 Where information of any description is excluded from any register by virtue of section 22 below, a statement shall be entered in the register indicating the existence of information of that description.

6 The Secretary of State may give to enforcing authorities directions requiring the removal from any register of theirs of any specified information not prescribed for inclusion under subsection (1) or (2) above or which, by virtue of section 21 or 22 below, ought to have been excluded from the register.

7 It shall be the duty of each enforcing authority—

a to secure that the registers maintained by them under this section are available, at all reasonable times, for inspection by the public free of charge; and (b) to afford to members of the public facilities for obtaining copies of entries, on payment of reasonable charges.and, for the purposes of this subsection, places may be prescribed by the Secretary of State at which any such registers or facilities as are mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above are to be available or afforded to the public in pursuance of the paragraph in question.

8 Registers under this section may be kept in any form.

^F569 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 In this section “prescribed” means prescribed in regulations under this section.

21 Exclusion from registers of information affecting national security.¶

^C71 No information shall be included in a register maintained under section 20 above if and so long as, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the inclusion in the register of that information, or information of that description, would be contrary to the interests of national security.

^C72 The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of securing the exclusion from registers of information to which subsection (1) above applies, give to enforcing authorities directions—

a specifying information, or descriptions of information, to be excluded from their registers; or

b specifying descriptions of information to be referred to the Secretary of State for his determination;

and no information referred to the Secretary of State in pursuance of paragraph (b) above shall be included in any such register until the Secretary of State determines that it should be so included.

^C291^C2103 The enforcing authority shall notify the Secretary of State of any information it excludes from the register in pursuance of directions under subsection (2) above.

^C7^C291^C2104 A person may, as respects any information which appears to him to be information to which subsection (1) above may apply, give a notice to the Secretary of State specifying the information and indicating its apparent nature; and, if he does so—

a he shall notify the enforcing authority that he has done so; and

b no information so notified to the Secretary of State shall be included in any such register until the Secretary of State has determined that it should be so included.

^C822 Exclusion from registers of certain confidential information.¶

1 No information relating to the affairs of any individual or business shall be included in a register maintained under section 20 above, without the consent of that individual or the person for the time being carrying on that business, if and so long as the information—

a is, in relation to him, commercially confidential; and

b is not required to be included in the register in pursuance of directions under subsection (7) below;

but information is not commercially confidential for the purposes of this section unless it is determined under this section to be so by the enforcing authority or, on appeal, by the Secretary of State.

2 Where information is furnished to an enforcing authority for the purpose of—

a an application for an authorisation or for the variation of an authorisation;

b complying with any condition of an authorisation; or

c complying with a notice under section 19(2) above;

then, if the person furnishing it applies to the authority to have the information excluded from the register on the ground that it is commercially confidential (as regards himself or another person), the authority shall determine whether the information is or is not commercially confidential.

3 A determination under subsection (2) above must be made within the period of fourteen days beginning with the date of the application and if the enforcing authority fails to make a determination within that period it shall be treated as having determined that the information is commercially confidential.

4 Where it appears to an enforcing authority that any information (other than information furnished in circumstances within subsection (2) above) which has been obtained by the authority under or by virtue of any provision of this Part might be commercially confidential, the authority shall—

a give to the person to whom or whose business it relates notice that that information is required to be included in the register unless excluded under this section; and

b give him a reasonable opportunity—

i of objecting to the inclusion of the information on the ground that it is commercially confidential; and

ii of making representations to the authority for the purpose of justifying any such objection;

and, if any representations are made, the enforcing authority shall, having taken the representations into account, determine whether the information is or is not commercially confidential.

^C95 Where, under subsection (2) or (4) above, an authority determines that information is not commercially confidential—

a the information shall not be entered in the register until the end of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date on which the determination is notified to the person concerned;

b that person may appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision;

and, where an appeal is brought in respect of any information, the information shall not be entered in the register until the end of the period of seven days following the day on which the appeal is finally determined or withdrawn.

^F596 Subsections (5) and (10) of section 15 above shall apply in relation to an appeal under subsection (5) above as they apply in relation to an appeal under that section, but—

a subsection (5) of that section shall have effect for the purposes of this subsection with the substitution for the words from “(which may” onwards of the words “(which must be held in private)”; and

b subsection (5) above is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).

7 The Secretary of State may give to the enforcing authorities directions as to specified information, or descriptions of information, which the public interest requires to be included in registers maintained under section 20 above notwithstanding that the information may be commercially confidential.

8 Information excluded from a register shall be treated as ceasing to be commercially confidential for the purposes of this section at the expiry of the period of four years beginning with the date of the determination by virtue of which it was excluded; but the person who furnished it may apply to the authority for the information to remain excluded from the register on the ground that it is still commercially confidential and the authority shall determine whether or not that is the case.

9 Subsections (5) and (6) above shall apply in relation to a determination under subsection (8) above as they apply in relation to a determination under subsection (2) or (4) above.

10 The Secretary of State may, by order, substitute for the period for the time being specified in subsection (3) above such other period as he considers appropriate.

11 Information is, for the purposes of any determination under this section, commercially confidential, in relation to any individual or person, if its being contained in the register would prejudice to an unreasonable degree the commercial interests of that individual or person.

Provisions as to offences¶

^E3923 Offences.¶

1 It is an offence for a person—

a to contravene section 6(1) above;

b to fail to give the notice required by section 9(2) above;

c to fail to comply with or contravene any requirement or prohibition imposed by an enforcement notice or a prohibition notice;

^F60d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F60e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F60f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

g to fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirement imposed by a notice under section 19(2) above;

h to make a statement which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or recklessly to make a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular, where the statement is made—

i in purported compliance with a requirement to furnish any information imposed by or under any provision of this Part; or

ii for the purpose of obtaining the grant of an authorisation to himself or any other person or the variation of an authorisation;

i intentionally to make a false entry in any record required to be kept under section 7 above;

j with intent to deceive, to forge or use a document issued or authorised to be issued under section 7 above or required for any purpose thereunder or to make or have in his possession a document so closely resembling any such document as to be likely to deceive;

^F60k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

l to fail to comply with an order made by a court under section 26 below.

2 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (a), (c) or (l) of subsection (1) above shall be liable:

a on summary conviction, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

3 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (b), (g), (h), (i) or (j) of subsection (1) above shall be liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

^F624 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F635 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24 Enforcement by High Court.¶

If the enforcing authority is of the opinion that proceedings for an offence under section 23(1)(c) above would afford an ineffectual remedy against a person who has failed to comply with the requirements of an enforcement notice or a prohibition notice, the authority may take proceedings in the High Court or, in Scotland, in any court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of securing compliance with the notice.

25 Onus of proof as regards techniques and evidence.¶

1 In any proceedings for an offence under section 23(1)(a) above consisting in a failure to comply with the general condition implied in every authorisation by section 7(4) above, it shall be for the accused to prove that there was no better available technique not entailing excessive cost than was in fact used to satisfy the condition.

2 Where—

a an entry is required under section 7 above to be made in any record as to the observance of any condition of an authorisation; and

b the entry has not been made;

that fact shall be admissible as evidence that that condition has not been observed.

^F643 Subsection (2) above shall not have effect in relation to any entry required to be made in any record by virtue of a condition of a relevant licence, within the meaning of section 111 of the Environment Act 1995 (which makes corresponding provision in relation to such licences).

26 Power of court to order cause of offence to be remedied.¶

1 Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 23(1)(a) or (c) above in respect of any matters which appear to the court to be matters which it is in his power to remedy, the court may, in addition to or instead of imposing any punishment, order him, within such time as may be fixed by the order, to take such steps as may be specified in the order for remedying those matters.

2 The time fixed by an order under subsection (1) above may be extended or further extended by order of the court on an application made before the end of the time as originally fixed or as extended under this subsection, as the case may be.

3 Where a person is ordered under subsection (1) above to remedy any matters, that person shall not be liable under section 23 above in respect of those matters in so far as they continue during the time fixed by the order or any further time allowed under subsection (2) above.

27 Power of chief inspector to remedy harm.¶

1 Where the commission of an offence under section 23(1)(a) or (c) above causes any harm which it is possible to remedy, the appropriate Agency may, subject to subsection (2) below—

a arrange for any reasonable steps to be taken towards remedying the harm; and

b recover the cost of taking those steps from any person convicted of that offence.

2 The Environment Agency or SEPA, as the case may be, shall not exercise its powers under this section except with the approval in writing of the Secretary of State and, where any of the steps are to be taken on or will affect land in the occupation of any person other than the person on whose land the prescribed process is being carried on, with the permission of that person.

Authorisations and other statutory controls¶

^E6128 Authorisations and other statutory controls.¶

1 No condition shall at any time be attached to an authorisation so as to regulate the final disposal by deposit in or on land of controlled waste (within the meaning of Part II), nor shall any condition apply to such a disposal; ^F67. . .

2 Where any of the activities comprising a prescribed process are regulated both by an authorisation granted by the enforcing authority under this Part and by an environmental permit granted under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154) in relation to a radioactive substances activity within the meaning of those Regulations, then, if different obligations are imposed as respects the same matter by a condition attached to the authorisation under this Part and a condition attached to the environmental permit, the condition imposed by the authorisation under this Part shall be treated as not binding the person carrying on the process.

^F693 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F694 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I1^C10^C161^C296 Part II Waste on Land¶

Preliminary¶

^I229 Preliminary.¶

1 The following provisions have effect for the interpretation of this Part.

1A “Appropriate person” means—

a in relation to England, the Secretary of State;

b in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales.

2 The “environment” consists of all, or any, of the following media, namely land, water and the air.

3 “Pollution of the environment” means pollution of the environment due to the release or escape (into any environmental medium) from—

a the land on which controlled waste or extractive waste is treated,

b the land on which controlled waste or extractive waste is kept,

c the land in or on which controlled waste or extractive waste is deposited,

d fixed plant by means of which controlled waste or extractive waste is treated, kept or disposed of,

of substances or articles constituting or resulting from the waste and capable (by reason of the quantity or concentrations involved) of causing harm to man or any other living organisms supported by the environment.

4 Subsection (3) above applies in relation to mobile plant by means of which controlled waste or extractive waste is treated or disposed of as it applies to plant on land by means of which controlled waste or extractive waste is treated or disposed of.

5 For the purposes of subsections (3) and (4) above “harm” means harm to the health of living organisms or other interference with the ecological systems of which they form part and in the case of man includes offence to any of his senses or harm to his property; and “harmless” has a corresponding meaning.

5A In relation to controlled waste—

a a reference to the management of such waste is a reference to the collection, transport, recovery and disposal of such waste and includes—

i the supervision of such operations;

ii the after-care of disposal sites; and

iii actions taken as a broker or dealer;

b “collection” means the gathering of such waste, including the preliminary sorting and preliminary storage of such waste for the purposes of transport to a waste treatment facility; and

ba “separate collection” means that waste is presented for collection, and collected, in a manner that ensures that—

i dry recyclable waste is kept separate from other waste;

ii waste from one dry waste stream is kept separate from waste in another such stream; and

iii food waste is kept separate from other waste;

c “recovery” refers to any of the operations listed in Part III of Schedule 4 to the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011, and any other operation the principal result of which is waste serving a useful purpose by replacing other materials which would otherwise have been used to fulfil a particular function, or waste being prepared to fulfil that function, in a plant or in the wider economy,

and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.

6 The “disposal” of waste includes its disposal by way of deposit in or on land has the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and, subject to subsection (7) below, waste is “treated” when it is subjected to any process, including making it re-usable or reclaiming substances from it and “recycle” (and cognate expressions) shall be construed accordingly.

7 Regulations made by the Secretary of State may prescribe activities as activities which constitute the treatment of waste for the purposes of this Part or any provision of this Part prescribed in the regulations.

8 “Land” includes land covered by waters where the land is above the low water mark of ordinary spring tides and references to land on which controlled waste or extractive waste is treated, kept or deposited are references to the surface of the land (including any structure set into the surface).

9 “Mobile plant” means, subject to subsection (10) below, plant which is designed to move or be moved whether on roads or other land.

10 Regulations made by the Secretary of State may prescribe descriptions of plant which are to be treated as being, or as not being, mobile plant for the purposes of this Part.

11 “Substance” means any natural or artificial substance, whether in solid or liquid form or in the form of a gas or vapour.

12 “The Environmental Permitting Regulations” means the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154).

13 The following expressions have the same meaning as in the Environmental Permitting Regulations—

“environmental permit”;
“exempt waste operation”;
“extractive waste”;
“mining waste operation”;
“the Mining Waste Directive”;
“waste operation”.

^I330 Authorities for purposes of this Part.¶

^F701 Any reference in this Part to a waste regulation authority—

a in relation to England ^F1082..., is a reference to the Environment Agency; ^F1082...

aa in relation to Wales, is a reference to the Natural Resources Body for Wales; and

b in relation to Scotland, is a reference to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency;

and any reference in this Part to the area of a waste regulation authority shall accordingly be taken as a reference to the area over which the Environment Agency , the Natural Resources Body for Wales or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, as the case may be, exercises its functions or, in the case of any particular function, the function in question.

2 For the purposes of this Part the following authorities are waste disposal authorities, namely—

a for any non-metropolitan county in England, the county council;

b in Greater London, the following—

i for the area of a London waste disposal authority, the authority constituted as the waste disposal authority for that area;

ii for the City of London, the Common Council;

iii for any other London borough, the council of the borough;

c in the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester, the following—

i for the metropolitan district of Wigan, the district council;

ii for all other areas in the county, the authority constituted as the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority;

d for the metropolitan county of Merseyside, the authority constituted as the Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority;

e for any district in any other metropolitan county in England, the council of the district;

^F71f for any county or county borough in Wales, the council of the county or county borough;

g in Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

3 For the purposes of this Part the following authorities are waste collection authorities—

a for any district in England ^F73. . . not within Greater London, the council of the district;

b in Greater London, the following—

i for any London borough, the council of the borough;

ii for the City of London, the Common Council;

iii for the Temples, the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple and the Under Treasurer of the Middle Temple respectively;

^F74bb for any county or county borough in Wales, the council of the county or county borough;

c in Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

4 In this section references to particular authorities having been constituted as waste disposal ^F76. . . are references to their having been so constituted by the ^M9Waste Regulation and Disposal (Authorities) Order 1985 made by the Secretary of State under section 10 of the ^M10Local Government Act 1985 and the reference to London waste disposal authorities is a reference to the authorities named in Parts I, II, III, IV and V of Schedule 1 to that Order and this section has effect subject to any order made under the said section 10 ^F77. . ..

4A In this Part—

“English waste collection authority” means a waste collection authority whose area is in England;
“English waste disposal authority” means a waste disposal authority whose area is in England.

5 In this Part “waste disposal contractor” means a person who in the course of a business collects, keeps, treats or disposes of waste, being either—

a a company formed for all or any of those purposes by a waste disposal authority whether in pursuance of section 32 below or otherwise; or

b either a company formed for all or any of those purposes by other persons or a partnership or an individual;

and “company”means a company as defined in section 1(1) of the Companies Act 2006 and “formed”, in relation to a company formed by other persons, includes the alteration of the company's articles so as to add, remove or alter a statement of the company's objects.

^F786 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F787 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F788 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F7931 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

32 Transition to waste disposal companies etc.¶

^F502. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Prohibition on unauthorised or harmful depositing, treatment or disposal of waste¶

^I4^C11^E41^C25833 Prohibition on unauthorised or harmful deposit, treatment or disposal etc. of waste.¶

^C2421 Subject to subsections (1A), (1B), (2) and (3) below and, in relation to Scotland, to section 54 below, a person shall not—

^C100^C12^C13^C125a deposit controlled waste or extractive waste, or knowingly cause or knowingly permit controlled waste or extractive waste to be deposited in or on any land unless an environmental permit authorising the deposit is in force and the deposit is in accordance with the licence;

b submit controlled waste, or knowingly cause or knowingly permit controlled waste to be submitted, to any listed operation (other than an operation within subsection (1)(a)) that—

i is carried out in or on any land, or by means of any mobile plant, and

ii is not carried out under and in accordance with an environmental permit.

^C12c treat, keep or dispose of controlled waste or extractive waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health.

1A Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) above do not apply in relation to a waste operation that is an exempt waste operation.

1B Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any part of a waste operation that—

a is the subject of a marine licence under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009; or

b does not require such a licence by virtue of any provision made by or under section 74, 75 or 77 of that Act and does not involve the dismantling of a ship that is waste.

2 Subject to subsection (2A) below, paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) above do not apply in relation to household waste from a domestic property which is treated, kept or disposed of within the curtilage of the property.

2A Subsection (2) above does not apply to the treatment, keeping or disposal of household waste by an establishment or undertaking.

3 Subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) above do not apply in cases prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State and the regulations may make different exceptions for different areas.

4 The Secretary of State, in exercising his power under subsection (3) above, shall have regard in particular to the expediency of excluding from the prohibitions in subsection (1)—

a any deposits which are small enough or of such a temporary nature that they may be so excluded;

b any means of treatment or disposal which are innocuous enough to be so excluded;

c cases for which adequate controls are provided by another enactment than this section.

^C145 Where controlled waste is carried in and deposited from a motor vehicle, the person who controls or is in a position to control the use of the vehicle shall, for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) above, be treated as knowingly causing the waste to be deposited whether or not he gave any instructions for this to be done.

^C156 A person who contravenes subsection (1) above ^F680. . . commits an offence.

7 It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove—

a that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence; or

b ^F507. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F80c that the acts alleged to constitute the contravention were done in an emergency in order to avoid danger to human health in a case where—

i he took all such steps as were reasonably practicable in the circumstances for minimising pollution of the environment and harm to human health; and

ii particulars of the acts were furnished to the waste regulation authority as soon as reasonably practicable after they were done.

8 A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—

a Subject to subsection (9) below, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine or both;

b on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or a fine or both.

^F5099 A person (other than an establishment or undertaking) who commits a relevant offence shall be liable on summary conviction, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

10 In this section, “relevant offence” means an offence under this section in respect of a contravention of subsection (1)(c) above consisting of the treatment, keeping or disposal within the curtillage of a domestic property of household waste from that property.

11 For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) above, the deposit of waste in or on land includes any listed operation involving such a deposit.

12 For the purposes of subsection (1)(c) above, treating, keeping or disposing of controlled waste includes submitting it to any listed operation.

13 For the purposes of this section, a “listed operation” is an operation listed in Annex I or II of the Waste Framework Directive.

33ZA Fixed penalty notices for contravention of section 33(1)(a): England¶

1 Where an authorised officer of an English waste collection authority has reason to believe that a person has committed a waste deposit offence in the area of the authority, the officer may give the person a notice under this section in respect of the offence.

2 In subsection (1), “waste deposit offence” means an offence under section 33 in respect of a contravention of subsection (1)(a) of that section.

3 A notice under this section is a notice offering the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence to which it relates by payment of a fixed penalty.

4 Where a person is given a notice under this section in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for the offence before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice; and

b the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

5 A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information about the offence and must state—

a the period during which, by virtue of subsection (4)(a), proceedings will not be taken for the offence;

b the amount of the fixed penalty; and

c the person to whom and the address at which the fixed penalty may be paid.

6 If an authorised officer proposes to give a person a notice under this section, the officer may require the person to give the person’s name and address.

7 It is an offence to—

a fail to give a name or address when required to do so under subsection (6), or

b give a false or inaccurate name or address in response to a requirement under that subsection.

8 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (7) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

9 The fixed penalty payable in pursuance of a notice under this section—

a is an amount not less than £150 and not more than £1000, as specified by the English waste collection authority whose authorised officer gave the notice, or

b if no amount is specified by that authority, is £200.

10 An English waste collection authority to whom a fixed penalty is payable pursuant to a notice under this section may make provision for treating the fixed penalty as having been paid if a lesser amount of not less than £120 is paid before the end of a period specified by the authority.

10A The Secretary of State may by regulations substitute different amounts for the amounts for the time being specified in subsections (9) and (10).

11 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed by or on behalf of the chief finance officer of an English waste collection authority to whom a fixed penalty is payable pursuant to a notice under this section, and

b states that the payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

12 In this section—

“authorised officer”, in relation to an English waste collection authority, means—
1. an employee of the authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purposes of giving notices under this section;
2. a person who, in pursuance of arrangements made with the authority, has the function of giving such notices and is authorised in writing by the authority to perform that function;
3. an employee of such a person who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving such notices;
“chief finance officer”, in relation to an English waste collection authority, means the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority;
^F925...

33ZB Fixed penalty notices for contravention of section 33(1)(a): Wales¶

1 Where an authorised officer of a Welsh waste collection authority has reason to believe that a person has committed a waste deposit offence in the area of the authority, the officer may give the person a notice under this section in respect of the offence.

2 In subsection (1), “waste deposit offence” means an offence under section 33 in respect of a contravention of subsection (1)(a) of that section.

3 A notice under this section is a notice offering the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence to which it relates by payment of a fixed penalty.

4 Where a person is given a notice under this section in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for the offence before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice, and

b the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

5 A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information about the offence and must state—

a the period during which, by virtue of subsection (4)(a), proceedings will not be taken for the offence,

b the amount of the fixed penalty, and

c the person to whom and the address at which the fixed penalty may be paid.

6 If an authorised officer proposes to give a person a notice under this section, the officer may require the person to give the person’s name and address.

7 It is an offence to—

a fail to give a name or address when required to do so under subsection (6), or

b give a false or inaccurate name or address in response to a requirement under that subsection.

8 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (7) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

9 The fixed penalty payable in pursuance of a notice under this section—

a is an amount not less than £150 and not more than £400, as specified by the Welsh waste collection authority whose authorised officer gave the notice, or

b if no amount is specified by that authority, is £200.

10 A Welsh waste collection authority to whom a fixed penalty is payable pursuant to a notice under this section may make provision for treating the fixed penalty as having been paid if a lesser amount of not less than £120 is paid before the end of the period of 10 days following the date of the notice.

11 In any proceedings, a certificate which—

a purports to be signed by or on behalf of the chief finance officer of a Welsh waste collection authority to whom a fixed penalty is payable pursuant to a notice under this section, and

b states that the payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

12 In this section—

“authorised officer” in relation to a Welsh waste collection authority, means—
1. an employee of the authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purposes of giving notices under this section;
2. a person who, in pursuance of arrangements made with the authority, has the function of giving such notices and is authorised in writing by the authority to perform that function;
3. an employee of such a person who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving such notices;
“chief finance officer”, in relation to a Welsh waste collection authority, means the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority;
“Welsh waste collection authority” means a waste collection authority whose area is in Wales.

^C25833A Section 33 offences: investigation and enforcement costs¶

1 This section applies where a person is convicted of an offence—

a under section 33 above, in respect of a contravention of subsection (1) of that section;

b under regulation 38(1) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, in respect of a waste operation or a mining waste operation.

2 The court by or before which the offender is convicted may make an order requiring him to pay to an enforcement authority a sum which appears to the court not to exceed the costs arising from—

a investigations of the enforcement authority which resulted in the conviction; and

b the seizure by the enforcement authority under section 34B below of a vehicle involved in the offence.

3 The costs arising from the seizure of a vehicle as specified in subsection (2)(b) above may include the cost of disposing of the contents of the vehicle.

4 The power of a court to make an order under this section is in addition to its power to make an order under section 18 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 (award of costs against accused).

5 In this section “enforcement authority” means the Environment Agency , the Natural Resources Body for Wales or a waste collection authority.

^C25833B Section 33 offences: clean-up costs¶

1 This section applies where a person is convicted of an offence—

a under section 33 above, in respect of a contravention of subsection (1) of that section consisting of the deposit or disposal of controlled waste or extractive waste;

b under regulation 38(1) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, in respect of a contravention of regulation 12 of those Regulations consisting of the disposal of waste.

2 The reference in section 133(a) of the Sentencing Code (compensation orders) to loss or damage resulting from the offence includes costs incurred or to be incurred by a relevant person in—

a removing the waste deposited or disposed of in or on the land;

b taking other steps to eliminate or reduce the consequences of the deposit or disposal; or

c both.

3 In subsection (2) above “relevant person” means—

a the Environment Agency;

aa the Natural Resources Body for Wales;

b a waste collection authority;

c the occupier of the land;

d the owner of the land (within the meaning of section 78A(9) below).

4 The reference in subsection (2) above to costs incurred does not, in the case of the Environment Agency , the Natural Resources Body for Wales or a waste collection authority, include any costs which the Agency , Body or authority has already recovered under section 59(8) below.

5 Subject to subsection (6) below, in relation to the costs referred to in subsection (2) above, a reference in section 139(2) or (3) of the Sentencing Code (limit on amount payable) to £5000 is instead to be construed as a reference to the amount of those costs (or, if the costs have not yet been incurred, the likely amount).

6 Subsection (5) above does not apply where a person (other than an establishment or undertaking) is convicted of a relevant offence within the meaning of section 33 above.

^C25833C Section 33 offences: forfeiture of vehicles¶

1 This section applies where—

a subject to subsection (1A) below, a person is convicted of an offence under section 33 above in respect of a contravention of subsection (1) of that section consisting of the deposit or disposal of controlled waste;

b a person is convicted of an offence under regulation 38(1) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations in respect of a contravention of regulation 12 of those Regulations consisting of the disposal of waste.

1A This section does not apply where a person (other than an establishment or undertaking) is convicted of a relevant offence within the meaning of section 33 above.

2 The court by or before which the offender is convicted may make an order under this section if—

a the court is satisfied that a vehicle was used in or for the purposes of the commission of the offence; and

b at the time of his conviction the offender has rights in the vehicle.

3 An order under this section operates to deprive the offender of his rights in the vehicle (including its fuel) at the time of his conviction and to vest those rights in the relevant enforcement authority.

4 In a case where a vehicle has been seized under section 34B below and the offender retains rights in any of the vehicle's contents, an order under this section may, if and to the extent that it so specifies, deprive the offender of those rights and vest them in the relevant enforcement authority.

5 Where an order under this section is made, the relevant enforcement authority may take possession of the vehicle (if it has not already done so under section 34C below).

6 The court may make an order under this section whether or not it also deals with the offender in any other way in respect of the offence of which he is convicted.

7 In considering whether to make an order under this section a court must in particular have regard to—

a the value of the vehicle;

b the likely financial and other effects on the offender of the making of the order (taken together with any other order that the court contemplates making);

c the offender's need to use the vehicle for lawful purposes;

d whether, in a case where it appears to the court that the offender is engaged in a business which consists wholly or partly in activities which are unlawful by virtue of section 33 above, or regulation 38(1) or (2) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, the making of the order is likely to inhibit the offender from engaging in further such activities.

8 Section 153 of the Sentencing Code (power to deprive offender of property) does not apply in any case where this section applies.

9 For the purposes of this section, where a vehicle or its contents have been seized under section 34B below in connection with the offence referred to in subsection (1) above, any transfer by the offender after the seizure and before his conviction of any of his rights in the vehicle or its contents is of no effect.

10 In this section—

“relevant enforcement authority” means—
1. the Environment Agency, where the proceedings in respect of the offence have been brought by or on behalf of the Agency,^F990...
2. the Natural Resources Body for Wales, where the proceedings in respect of the offence have been brought by or on behalf of that Body, or
3. in any other case, the waste collection authority in whose area the offence was committed;
“vehicle” means any motor vehicle or trailer within the meaning of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or any mobile plant.

Duty of care etc. as respects waste¶

^I6^C21^E46^C25834 Duty of care etc. as respects waste.¶

1 Subject to subsection (2) below, it shall be the duty of any person who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste or, as a dealer or broker, has control of such waste, to take all such measures applicable to him in that capacity as are reasonable in the circumstances—

a to prevent any contravention by any other person of section 33 above;

aa to prevent any contravention by any other person of regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations or of a condition of an environmental permit;

b to prevent the escape of the waste from his control or that of any other person; and

^C22c on the transfer of the waste, to secure—

i that the transfer is only to an authorised person or to a person for authorised transport purposes; and

ii that there is transferred such a written description of the waste as will enable other persons to avoid a contravention of that section or regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, or a contravention of a condition of an environmental permit, and to comply with the duty under this subsection as respects the escape of waste.

1A It shall be the duty of any person who is responsible for the management of extractive waste to take all such measures applicable to him in that capacity as are reasonable in the circumstances —

a to prevent any contravention by any other person of section 33 above;

b to prevent any contravention by another person of regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations or of a condition of an environmental permit; and

c to prevent the escape of the waste from his control or that of any other person.

2 The duty imposed by subsection (1) above does not apply to an occupier of domestic property as respects the household waste produced on the property.

2A It shall be the duty of the occupier of any domestic property in England or Wales to take all such measures available to him as are reasonable in the circumstances to secure that any transfer by him of household waste produced on the property is only to an authorised person or to a person for authorised transport purposes.

3 The following are authorised persons for the purposes of subsections (1)(c) and (2A) above—

a any authority which is a waste collection authority for the purposes of this Part;

b any person who is the holder of a waste management licence under section 35 below or of a disposal licence under section 5 of the Control ^M11of Pollution Act 1974;

c any person to whom section 33(1) above does not apply by virtue of regulations under subsection (3) of that section or by virtue of regulations under section 2 of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999;

d any person registered as a carrier of controlled waste under section 2 of ^M12 the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989;

e any person who is not required to be so registered by virtue of regulations under section 1(3) of that Act; and

f a waste disposal authority in Scotland.

3A The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (3) above so as to add, whether generally or in such circumstances as may be prescribed in the regulations, any person specified in the regulations, or any description of person so specified, to the persons who are authorised persons for the purposes of subsections (1)(c) and (2A) above.

4 The following are authorised transport purposes for the purposes of subsections (1)(c) and (2A) above—

a the transport of controlled waste within the same premises between different places in those premises;

b the transport to a place in Great Britain of controlled waste which has been brought from a country or territory outside Great Britain not having been landed in Great Britain until it arrives at that place; and

c the transport by air or sea of controlled waste from a place in Great Britain to a place outside Great Britain;

and “transport” has the same meaning in this subsection as in the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989.

4A For the purposes of subsection (1)(c)(ii) above—

a a transfer of waste in stages shall be treated as taking place when the first stage of the transfer takes place, and

b a series of transfers between the same parties of waste of the same description shall be treated as a single transfer taking place when the first of the transfers in the series takes place.

5 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make provision imposing requirements on any person who is subject to the duty imposed by subsection (1) above as respects the making and retention of documents and the furnishing of documents or copies of documents.

6 Any person who fails to comply with the duty imposed by subsection (1) , (1A) or (2A) above or with any requirement imposed under subsection (5) above shall be liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; and

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

7 The Secretary of State shall, after consultation with such persons or bodies as appear to him representative of the interests concerned, prepare and issue a code of practice for the purpose of providing to persons practical guidance on how to discharge the duty imposed on them by subsection (1) above.

8 The Secretary of State may from time to time revise a code of practice issued under subsection (7) above by revoking, amending or adding to the provisions of the code.

9 A code of practice prepared in pursuance of subsection (7) above shall be laid

a before both Houses of Parliament ; or

b if it relates only to Scotland before the Scottish Parliament.

10 A code of practice issued under subsection (7) above shall be admissible in evidence and if any provision of such a code appears to the court to be relevant to any question arising in the proceedings it shall be taken into account in determining that question.

11 Different codes of practice may be prepared and issued under subsection (7) above for different areas.

34ZA Fixed penalty notices: offences under section 34(6) relating to section 34(2A): England¶

1 This section applies where it appears to an enforcement authority in England that a person has failed to comply with the duty relating to the transfer of household waste in section 34(2A) in England.

2 The authority may give to that person a notice offering the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for an offence under section 34(6) by payment of a fixed penalty.

3 An authority may not give a person a notice under subsection (2) if such a notice has already been given to that person (whether by the same or another authority) in respect of the same offence.

4 Where a waste collection authority (A) gives a notice to a person under subsection (2), A must, at the time of giving the notice—

a give the Environment Agency a copy of the notice; and

b where it appears to A that the failure to comply with the duty in section 34(2A) took place in the area of another waste collection authority (B), give B a copy of the notice.

5 Where the Environment Agency gives a notice to a person under subsection (2), the Agency must, at the time of giving the notice, give a copy of the notice to the waste collection authority in whose area the failure to comply with the duty in section 34(2A) took place.

6 Where a person is given a notice under subsection (2) in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice; and

b the person may not be convicted of the offence if the fixed penalty is paid before the end of that period.

7 The fixed penalty payable to an enforcement authority under this section is—

a the amount specified by the authority in respect of the offence; or

b if no amount is specified by the authority, £200.

8 The amount specified by an authority in respect of the offence under subsection (7)(a) must not be less than £150 or more than £600.

9 The enforcement authority to which a fixed penalty is payable under this section may make provision for treating it as having been paid if a lesser amount of not less than £120 is paid before the end of a period specified by the authority.

9A The Secretary of State may by regulations substitute different amounts for the amounts for the time being specified in subsections (7)(b), (8) and (9).

10 A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence.

11 A notice under this section must also—

a state the period during which, by virtue of subsection (6)(a), proceedings will not be instituted for the offence under section 34(6);

b state the period during which, by virtue of subsection (6)(b), payment of the fixed penalty will discharge any liability to conviction for the offence;

c state the amount of the fixed penalty;

d state any lesser amount payment of which, by virtue of subsection (9), is treated as payment of the fixed penalty, and the period for payment of the lesser amount;

e state the permissible methods of payment;

f explain that—

i the notice contains an offer to discharge liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty and that the person is not required to accept that offer; and

ii the person is entitled to make representations to the authority about the allegations contained in the notice;

g state the address to which the person may send any representations;

h explain that, by virtue of subsection (3), an authority may not give a person a notice under this section if such a notice has already been given to that person (whether by the same or another authority) in respect of the same offence;

i state which other enforcement authorities the authority has sent a copy of the notice to in accordance with subsections (4) and (5).

12 An enforcement authority may authorise in writing a person (an “authorised officer”) to give a notice under this section on its behalf.

13 An authorised officer may require an occupier of domestic property to give the occupier’s name and address if the officer proposes to give the occupier a fixed penalty notice.

14 A person commits an offence if the person—

a fails to give a name or address when required to do so under subsection (13), or

b gives a false or inaccurate name or address in response to a requirement under that subsection.

15 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (14) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

16 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed on behalf of the chief finance officer of the enforcement authority; and

b states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

17 In this section—

“chief finance officer”, in relation to an enforcement authority, means the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority;
“enforcement authority in England” means the Environment Agency or a waste collection authority in England.

34ZB Fixed penalty notices: offences under section 34(6) relating to section 34(2A): Wales¶

1 This section applies where it appears to an enforcement authority in Wales that a person has failed to comply with the duty relating to the transfer of household waste in section 34(2A) in Wales.

2 The authority may give to that person a notice offering the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for an offence under section 34(6) by payment of a fixed penalty.

3 An authority may not give a person a notice under subsection (2) if such a notice has already been given to that person (whether by the same or another authority) in respect of the same offence.

4 Where a waste collection authority (A) gives a notice to a person under subsection (2) in relation to a failure to comply with the duty in section 34(2A) that took place in the area of another waste collection authority (B), A must, at the time of giving the notice, give a copy of the notice to B.

5 Where the Natural Resources Body for Wales gives a notice to a person under subsection (2), the Body must, at the time of giving the notice, give a copy of the notice to the waste collection authority in whose area the failure to comply with the duty in section 34(2A) took place.

6 Where a person is given a notice under subsection (2) in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice; and

b the person may not be convicted of the offence if the fixed penalty is paid before the end of that period.

7 The fixed penalty payable to an enforcement authority under this section is £300.

8 An enforcement authority may make provision in a notice given under subsection (2) for treating the fixed penalty as having been paid if a lesser amount of £150 is paid before the end of the period of 10 days following the date of the notice.

9 A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence.

10 A notice under this section must also—

a state the period during which, by virtue of subsection (6)(a), proceedings will not be instituted for the offence under section 34(6);

b state the date on or before which, by virtue of subsection (6)(b), payment of the fixed penalty must be made in order to discharge any liability to conviction for the offence;

c state the amount of the fixed penalty;

d if the enforcement authority makes provision under subsection (8)—

i state the lesser amount, the payment of which is treated, by virtue of that subsection, as payment of the fixed penalty, and

ii state the date on or before which payment of the lesser amount must be made for it to be so treated;

e state the permissible methods of payment;

f state the person to whom, and the address at which, payment may be made;

g explain that—

i the notice contains an offer to discharge liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty and that the person is not required to accept that offer, and

ii the person is entitled to make representations to the authority about the allegations contained in the notice;

h state the address to which the person may send any representations;

i explain that, by virtue of subsection (3), an authority may not give a person a notice under this section if such a notice has already been given to that person (whether by the same or another authority) in respect of the same offence;

j state the other enforcement authorities to which the authority has sent a copy of the notice in accordance with subsections (4) and (5).

11 An enforcement authority may authorise in writing a person (an “authorised officer”) to give a notice under this section on its behalf.

12 Where an authorised officer proposes to give a person a notice under subsection (2), the officer may require that person to give their name and address.

13 A person commits an offence if the person—

a fails to give a name or address when required to do so under subsection (12), or

b gives a false or inaccurate name or address in response to a requirement under that subsection.

14 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (13) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

15 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed by or on behalf of the chief finance officer of an enforcement authority to whom a fixed penalty is payable pursuant to a notice under this section; and

b states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

16 In this section—

“chief finance officer”, in relation to an enforcement authority, means the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority;
“enforcement authority in Wales” means the Natural Resources Body for Wales or a waste collection authority in Wales.

34ZC Fixed penalty notices for offences under section 34(6): Scotland¶

1 This section applies where a constable or an authorised officer has reason to believe that a person has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the duty relating to the transfer of household waste in section 34(2).

2 The constable or authorised officer (as the case may be) may give to the person a notice offering the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for an offence under section 34(6) by payment of a fixed penalty.

3 A notice under subsection (2) may not be given if, in relation to the same circumstances—

a such a notice has already been given to the person (including by the same or by another local authority), or

b a penalty or enforcement undertaking has already been imposed on the person by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency by virtue of Part 2 of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

4 Where a constable gives a notice to a person under subsection (2), the constable must at the same time give a copy of the notice to the local authority in whose area the failure to comply with the duty in section 34(2) took place.

5 Where—

a an authorised officer gives a notice to a person under subsection (2), and

b it appears to the officer that the failure to comply with the duty in section 34(2) took place both in the officer’s area and in another local authority’s area,

the officer must at the same time give the other local authority a copy of the notice.

6 Where a person is given a notice under subsection (2) in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date of the notice, and

b the person may not be convicted of the offence if the fixed penalty is paid before the end of that period.

7 A notice under this section must—

a state the particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence,

b state the period during which, by virtue of subsection (6)(a), proceedings will not be instituted for the offence under section 34(6),

c state the amount of the fixed penalty,

d explain that the notice contains an offer to discharge liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty and that the person is not required to accept that offer,

e state the person to whom the fixed penalty may be paid, and the address and website for doing so,

f explain that, by virtue of subsection (3), an authorised officer may not give a person a notice under this section if such a notice has already been given to the person in respect of the same offence, and

g state which other authorities have been sent a copy of the notice in accordance with subsections (4) and (5).

8 The fixed penalty payable under this section is £200.

9 The Scottish Ministers may by regulations substitute a different amount (not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale) for the amount for the time being specified as the amount of the fixed penalty in subsection (8).

10 A constable or an authorised officer may require an occupier of domestic property to give the occupier’s name, address and date of birth, if the constable or officer proposes to give the occupier a fixed penalty notice under this section.

11 A person commits an offence if the person—

a fails to give a name, address or date of birth when required to do so under subsection (10), or

b gives a false or inaccurate name, address or date of birth in response to a requirement under that subsection.

12 A person who commits an offence under subsection (11) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

13 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed on the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority to which the fixed penalty is to be paid, and

b states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

14 A fixed penalty payable in pursuance of a notice under this section is to be paid—

a in a case where the notice is given by a constable or by an authorised officer of a local authority, to the local authority in whose area the offence was committed,

b in a case where the notice is given by an officer of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, to that Authority.

15 In this section—

“authorised officer” means—
1. an officer of a local authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of issuing notices under this section in relation to an offence under section 34(6) committed in the area of the authority,
2. an officer of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority who is authorised in writing by the Authority for the purpose of issuing notices under this section in relation to an offence under section 34(6) committed in the area designated as the National Park for which the Authority is established,
“local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

16 The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—

a add another category of persons to the definition of “authorised officer” in subsection (15), and

b modify this section as they consider appropriate in connection with making provision under paragraph (a).

^C25834A Fixed penalty notices for certain offences under section 34¶

1 This section applies where it appears to an enforcement authority that a person has failed to comply with a duty to furnish documents to that authority imposed under regulations made at any time under section 34(5) above.

2 The authority may serve on that person a notice offering him the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for an offence under section 34(6) above by payment of a fixed penalty.

3 Where a person is given a notice under this section in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before expiration of the period of fourteen days following the date of the notice; and

b he may not be convicted of that offence if he pays the fixed penalty before the expiration of the period.

4 A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence.

5 A notice under this section must also state—

a the period during which, by virtue of subsection (3) above, proceedings will not be taken for the offence;

b the amount of the fixed penalty; and

c the person to whom and the address at which the fixed penalty may be paid.

6 Without prejudice to payment by any other method, payment of the fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise) to the person mentioned in subsection (5)(c) above at the address so mentioned.

7 Where a letter is sent in accordance with subsection (6) above payment is to be regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

8 The form of a notice under this section is to be such as the appropriate person may by order prescribe.

9 The fixed penalty payable to an enforcement authority under this section is, subject to subsection (10) below, £300.

10 The appropriate person may by order substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being specified in subsection (9) above.

11 The enforcement authority to which a fixed penalty is payable under this section may make provision for treating it as having been paid if a lesser amount is paid before the end of a period specified by the authority.

12 The appropriate person may by regulations restrict the extent to which, and the circumstances in which, an enforcement authority may make provision under subsection (11) above.

13 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed on behalf of the chief finance officer of the enforcement authority, and

b states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

14 In this section—

“chief finance officer”, in relation to an enforcement authority, means the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority;
“enforcement authority” means the Environment Agency , the Natural Resources Body for Wales or a waste collection authority.

Offences under sections 33 and 34: powers of seizure etc¶

^C25834B Power to search and seize vehicles etc¶

1 This section applies where an authorised officer of an enforcement authority or a constable reasonably believes that the grounds in subsection (2) or (3) below exist.

2 The grounds in this subsection are that—

a a relevant offence has been committed , or an offence under regulation 38(1) or (2) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations has been committed in relation to a waste operation

b a vehicle was used in the commission of the offence, and

c proceedings for the offence have not yet been brought against any person.

3 The grounds in this subsection are that—

a a relevant offence is being or is about to be committed, or an offence under regulation 38(1) or (2) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations is being or is about to be committed in relation to a waste operation, and

b a vehicle is being or is about to be used in the commission of the offence.

4 The authorised officer or constable may—

a search the vehicle;

b seize the vehicle and any of its contents.

5 In acting under subsection (4) above the authorised officer or constable may—

a stop the vehicle (but only a constable in uniform may stop a vehicle on any road);

b enter any premises for the purpose of searching or seizing the vehicle.

6 A vehicle or its contents seized under subsection (4) above—

a by an authorised officer of an enforcement authority, are seized on behalf of that authority;

b by a constable in the presence of or at the request of an authorised officer of an enforcement authority, are seized on behalf of that authority;

c by a constable in any other case, are seized on behalf of the waste collection authority in whose area the seizure takes place.

7 A person commits an offence if—

a he fails without reasonable excuse to give any assistance that an authorised officer or constable may reasonably request in the exercise of a power under subsection (4) or (5) above;

b he otherwise intentionally obstructs an authorised officer or constable in exercising that power.

8 Where an authorised officer or constable has stopped a vehicle under subsection (5)(a) above, he may require any occupant of the vehicle to give him—

a the occupant's name and address;

b the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle;

c any other information he may reasonably request.

9 A person commits an offence if—

a he fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement under subsection (8) above;

b he gives information required under that subsection that is—

i to his knowledge false or misleading in a material way, or

ii given recklessly and is false or misleading in a material way.

10 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

11 In this section and section 34C below—

“authorised officer” means an officer of an enforcement authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purposes of this section;
“enforcement authority” means—
1. the Environment Agency, ^F822...
2. the Natural Resources Body for Wales, or
3. a waste collection authority;
“relevant offence” means—
1. an offence under section 33 above, or
2. an offence under section 34 above consisting of a failure to comply with the duty imposed by subsection (1) of that section;
“road” has the same meaning as in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;
“vehicle” means any motor vehicle or trailer within the meaning of that Act or any mobile plant.

^C25834C Seizure of vehicles etc: supplementary¶

1 Where under section 34B above an authorised officer or constable seizes a vehicle or its contents (“seized property”) on behalf of an enforcement authority, the authority may remove the seized property to such a place as it considers appropriate.

2 An enforcement authority must deal with any seized property in accordance with regulations made by the appropriate person.

3 Regulations under subsection (2) above may in particular include provision as to—

a the duties of enforcement authorities in relation to the safe custody of seized property;

b the circumstances in which they must return any such property to a person claiming entitlement to it;

c the manner in which such persons, and the seized property to which they are entitled, may be determined;

d the circumstances in which an enforcement authority may sell, destroy or otherwise dispose of seized property;

e the uses to which the proceeds of any such sale may be put.

4 Regulations making provision under subsection (3)(d) above—

a must (subject to paragraph (c) below) require the enforcement authority to publish a notice in such form, and to take any other steps, as may be specified in the regulations for informing persons who may be entitled to the seized property that it has been seized and is available to be claimed;

b must (subject to paragraph (c) below) prohibit the authority from selling, destroying or otherwise disposing of any seized property unless a period specified in the regulations has expired without any obligation arising under the regulations for the authority to return the property to any person;

c may allow for the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b) above to be dispensed with if the condition of the seized property requires its disposal without delay.

5 The appropriate person may issue guidance to enforcement authorities in relation to the performance of their functions under regulations under subsection (2) above.

Wales: disposal of food waste¶

34D Prohibition on disposal of food waste to sewer¶

1 An occupier of premises in Wales must not—

a discharge food waste produced on or brought onto the premises, or

b knowingly cause or knowingly permit food waste produced on or brought onto the premises to be discharged,

into a public sewer or a sewer or drain communicating with a public sewer.

2 Subsection (1) does not apply to an occupier of premises within paragraph (a) or (b) of section 75(5) (domestic property and caravans).

3 A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the person contravenes subsection (1).

4 A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

5 In subsection (1)—

“food waste” means controlled waste that—
1. has at any time been food (which for this purpose does not include drink) intended for human consumption, or
2. is biodegradable waste arising from the processing or preparation of food or drink,
but does not include waste that is mixed with water or any other liquid as a result of the water or liquid having been used to clean any place or equipment used in processing or preparing food or drink;
“drain”, “public sewer” and “sewer” have the meanings given in section 219(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991.

6 The Welsh Ministers may by regulations—

a provide for subsection (1) to apply only in circumstances specified in the regulations;

b make provision (which may include provision amending this section) for subsection (1) to apply subject to exceptions in addition to those in subsection (2);

c amend the definition of “food waste” in subsection (5).

7 Regulations under subsection (6)(a) or (b) may make different provision for different purposes, different cases (including different persons, premises or types of food waste) and different areas.

Electronic waste tracking¶

34CA Electronic waste tracking¶

1 The relevant national authority may by regulations make provision for the purpose of tracking relevant waste, including provision about the establishment of an electronic system (“the system”) for that purpose.

2 The regulations may impose requirements on relevant waste controllers, or a waste regulation authority, to take specified steps to secure the entry into the system of specified information about, or which is relevant to the tracking or regulation of, specified relevant waste.

3 The information which may be specified includes information about—

a the processing, movement or transfer to another person of relevant waste or waste processing products;

b persons to whom relevant waste or waste processing products have been transferred;

c the carrying out of any activity by relevant waste controllers in relation to, or in connection with, relevant waste or waste processing products;

d relevant waste controllers.

4 The regulations may impose requirements on relevant waste controllers to take specified steps to enable physical identification of specified relevant waste or waste processing products.

5 The regulations may allow relevant waste controllers, or a waste regulation authority, to make arrangements for other persons to discharge their obligations under the regulations, and may impose requirements on such persons in connection with such arrangements.

6 The regulations must provide for an exemption for digitally excluded persons from any requirement that would involve the use of electronic communications or the keeping of electronic records, but may impose alternative requirements on those persons that do not involve either.

7 The regulations may designate a person to establish, operate or maintain the system and may confer functions on such a person.

8 The regulations may make provision about how information held on the system is to be used including provision—

a about who may access the information;

b permitting, or requiring, the disclosure, publication or transfer to another electronic system of such information;

c imposing requirements on persons who obtain such information not to further disclose it.

9 The regulations may impose fees or charges, payable to a person designated by, or in accordance with, the regulations, on persons subject to any requirement imposed by the regulations.

10 The amount of such fees or charges may reflect the costs of establishing, operating or maintaining the system and any other costs incurred in connection with the tracking of relevant waste by a person designated to establish, operate or maintain the system.

11 The relevant national authority may provide grants or loans to a person designated to establish, operate or maintain the system.

12 In this section—

“digitally excluded person” means a person—
1. who is a practising member of a religious society or order whose beliefs are incompatible with using electronic communications or keeping electronic records, or
2. for whom it is not reasonably practicable to use electronic communications or to keep electronic records for any reason (including age, disability or location);
“extractive waste”—
1. in relation to regulations made in relation to England or Wales, has the meaning it has in this Part (as it extends to England and Wales);
2. in relation to regulations made in relation to Scotland, has the meaning it has in the Management of Extractive Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/60);
“relevant national authority” means—
1. in relation to England, the Secretary of State;
2. in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;
3. in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
“relevant waste” means controlled waste or extractive waste;
“relevant waste controller” means any person who—
1. is subject to the duty in section 34(1) (duty of care as respects controlled waste),
2. imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats, manages or disposes of extractive waste or, as a dealer or broker, has control of such waste, or
3. exports relevant waste;
“specified” means specified or described in the regulations;
“waste processing product” means any product of the processing of relevant waste, including material which is not relevant waste or which is not derived from relevant waste.

34CB Further provision about regulations under section 34CA¶

1 Regulations under section 34CA(1) may make provision about the enforcement of requirements imposed by or under the regulations.

2 The regulations may include provision—

a creating criminal offences punishable with a fine in respect of failures to comply with the regulations;

b about such offences.

3 The regulations may include provision—

a for, about or connected with the imposition of civil sanctions by an enforcement authority;

b in the case of a civil sanction that requires the payment of an amount, for that amount—

i to be specified in the regulations;

ii to be determined by an enforcement authority in accordance with the regulations;

c for such a determination to be made by reference to factors specified or described in the regulations which may include, for example, the turnover of a business or the costs of complying with the requirement being enforced (and the regulations may provide that the amount to be paid may exceed the amount of those costs);

d about appeals against the imposition of a civil sanction.

4 In this section “civil sanction” means a sanction of a kind for which provision may be made under Part 3 of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (fixed monetary penalties, discretionary requirements, stop notices and enforcement undertakings).

5 The regulations may include provision for the imposition of sanctions of that kind whether or not—

a the conduct in respect of which the sanction is imposed constitutes an offence,

b the enforcement authority is a regulator for the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008, or

c the relevant national authority may make provision for the imposition of sanctions under that Part.

6 The regulations may make different provision for different purposes.

7 The regulations may make consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision, including provision amending, repealing or revoking primary legislation or assimilated direct legislation.

8 In this section—

“enforcement authority” means the Environment Agency, the Natural Resources Body for Wales, a waste collection authority for an area in England or Wales or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency;
“primary legislation” means—
1. in relation to regulations made by the Secretary of State, an Act of Parliament;
2. in relation to regulations made by the Welsh Ministers, an Act of Parliament or an Act or Measure of Senedd Cymru;
3. in relation to regulations made by the Scottish Ministers, an Act of Parliament or an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Waste Management Licences¶

^F689^F104635 Waste management licences: general.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F690^F104635A Compensation where rights granted pursuant to section 35(4) or 38(9A).¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F691^F104636 Grant of licences.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F692^F104636A Consultation before the grant of certain licences.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F693^F104637 Variation of licences.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F694^F104637A Consultation before certain variations.¶

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^F695^F104638 Revocation and suspension of licences.¶

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^F696^F104639 Surrender of licences.¶

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^F697^F104640 Transfer of licences.¶

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^F104640A Consolidated Licences¶

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^F87^F104641 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F698^F104642 Supervision of licensed activities.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I7^C2343 Appeals to Secretary of State from decisions with respect to licences.¶

^F8891 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 Where an appeal is made to the Secretary of State—

^F88a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F88b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c if a party to the appeal so requests, or the Secretary of State so decides, the appeal shall be or continue in the form of a hearing (which may, if the person hearing the appeal so decides, be held or held to any extent in private).

^F10082A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F10083 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F10084 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F10085 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F10086 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F10087 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 Provision may be made by the Secretary of State by regulations with respect to appeals under this section and in particular—

a as to the period within which and the manner in which appeals are to be brought; and

b as to the manner in which appeals are to be considered.

^I8644 Offences of making false or misleading statements or false entries.¶

1 A person who—

a in purported compliance with a requirement to furnish any information imposed by or under any provision of this Part, or will need corrections

b for the purpose of obtaining for himself or another any grant of a licence, any modification of the conditions of a licence, any acceptance of the surrender of a licence or any transfer of a licence,

makes a statement which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or recklessly makes any statement which is false or misleading in a material particular, commits an offence.

2 A person who intentionally makes a false entry in any record required to be kept by virtue of a licence commits an offence.

3 A person who commits an offence under this section shall be liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

Integrated waste management plans: Scotland¶

44ZA Duty to prepare integrated waste management plan¶

1 It shall be the duty of a local authority to—

a prepare an integrated waste management plan; and

b submit it to the Scottish Ministers for approval.

2 An integrated waste management plan is a plan which—

a sets out, by reference to policies contained in national waste management plan , how the local authority intends to carry out its functions as waste disposal authority and waste collection authority (its “waste management functions”); and

b without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a) above, contains statements on such matters relating to the carrying out of those functions as the Scottish Ministers may specify in directions.

3 Directions under subsection (2)(b) above may, in particular, require integrated waste management plans to include statements setting out—

a levels of performance (“performance targets”) which the local authority shall, in performing its waste management functions, endeavour to meet;

b steps which the local authority proposes to take in endeavouring to meet performance targets;

c arrangements which the local authority proposes to enter into with one or more other local authorities for the purpose of securing co-operation, in the carrying out of their respective waste management functions, between the local authorities.

4 Integrated waste management plans shall—

a be prepared, and submitted, under subsection (1) above by such date; and

b relate to such period of time,

as the Scottish Ministers may direct.

5 A local authority shall, in preparing its integrated waste management plan, have regard to such matters as the Scottish Ministers may direct.

6 In this section, and in sections 44ZB to 44ZD below—

“local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39);
“national waste management plan” means the plan mentioned in regulation 3(1) of the National Waste Management Plan for Scotland Regulations 2007 (S.S.I. 2007/251), however constituted at the time and as modified from time to time.
“SEPA” means the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

44ZB Approval of integrated waste management plan¶

1 The Scottish Ministers shall—

a approve an integrated waste management plan submitted to them under section 44ZA(1)(b) above without modification;

b approve the plan with such modifications as they consider appropriate; or

c refuse to approve the plan.

2 If the Scottish Ministers refuse to approve a plan which has been so submitted they shall—

a notify the local authority in writing of that fact; and

b require the local authority to prepare and submit, by such date as the Scottish Ministers may specify, a further integrated waste management plan.

3 The Scottish Ministers shall—

a approve an integrated waste management plan submitted to them under subsection (2)(b) above without modification; or

b approve the plan with such modifications as they consider appropriate.

4 The Scottish Ministers shall—

a give written notice of their approval, under subsection (1) or (3) above, of an integrated waste management plan to the local authority; and

b if they have modified the plan, send a copy of the plan as modified to the local authority.

5 The local authority shall, on receipt of notice given under subsection (4)(a) above—

a give public notice of the approved integrated waste management plan; and

b send a copy of it to SEPA.

6 It shall be the duty of a local authority to make arrangements for allowing any person to—

a inspect its approved integrated waste management plan at its principal offices at any reasonable time;

b obtain a copy of it, or any part of it, on payment of such reasonable fee (if any) as the local authority may determine.

44ZC Implementation of integrated waste management plan¶

1 It shall be the duty of a local authority—

a to endeavour to carry out its waste management functions in accordance with its approved integrated waste management plan; and

b if requested by the Scottish Ministers, to provide the Scottish Ministers, by the date specified in their request, with a statement setting out whether the local authority is so carrying out its waste management functions.

2 A statement provided under subsection (1)(b) above shall contain such information as the Scottish Ministers may direct.

3 Directions under subsection (2) above may, in particular, require a local authority to—

a advise whether it has met, or is likely to meet, any performance targets set out in the plan; and

b if it has not done so, or is not likely to do so, explain why it considers the performance targets have not been, or are not likely to be, met.

44ZD Modification of integrated waste management plan¶

1 A local authority—

a may, from time to time; and

b shall, if requested by the Scottish Ministers,

modify its integrated waste management plan and submit it, as modified, to the Scottish Ministers for approval.

2 Sections 44ZA to 44ZC apply in relation to a plan which is modified as they apply in relation to a plan prepared and submitted under section 44ZA(1) above.

Collection, disposal or treatment of controlled waste¶

^C2444A National waste strategy: England and Wales.¶

1 The Secretary of State shall as soon as possible prepare a statement (“the strategy”) containing his policies in relation to the recovery and disposal of waste in England and Wales.

2 The strategy shall consist of or include—

a a statement which relates to the whole of England and Wales; or

b two or more statements which between them relate to the whole of England and Wales.

3 The Secretary of State may from time to time modify the strategy.

4 Without prejudice to the generality of what may be included in the strategy, the strategy must include—

a a statement of the Secretary of State’s policies for attaining the objectives specified in Schedule 2A to this Act;

b provisions relating to each of the following, that is to say—

i the type, quantity and origin of waste to be recovered or disposed of;

ii general technical requirements; and

iii any special requirements for particular wastes.

5 In preparing the strategy or any modification of it, the Secretary of State—

a shall consult the Environment Agency,

b shall consult—

i such bodies or persons appearing to him to be representative of the interests of local government, and

ii such bodies or persons appearing to him to be representative of the interests of industry,

as he may consider appropriate, and

c may consult such other bodies or persons as he considers appropriate.

6 Without prejudice to any power to give directions conferred by section 40 of the Environment Act 1995, the Secretary of State may give directions to the Environment Agency requiring it—

a to advise him on the policies which are to be included in the strategy;

b to carry out a survey of or investigation into—

i the kinds or quantities of waste which it appears to that Agency is likely to be situated in England and Wales,

ii the facilities which are or appear to that Agency likely to be available or needed in England and Wales for recovering or disposing of any such waste,

iii any other matter upon which the Secretary of State wishes to be informed in connection with his preparation of the strategy or any modification of it,

and to report its findings to him.

7 A direction under subsection (6)(b) above—

a shall specify or describe the matters or the areas which are to be the subject of the survey or investigation; and

b may make provision in relation to the manner in which—

i the survey or investigation is to be carried out, or

ii the findings are to be reported or made available to other persons.

8 Where a direction is given under subsection (6)(b) above, the Environment Agency shall, in accordance with any requirement of the direction,—

a before carrying out the survey or investigation, consult—

i such bodies or persons appearing to it to be representative of local planning authorities, and

ii such bodies or persons appearing to it to be representative of the interests of industry,

as it may consider appropriate; and

b make its findings available to those authorities.

8A The Environment Agency shall publicise any direction given to it under subsection (6) above in such manner as it considers appropriate.

9 In this section—

“local planning authority” has the same meaning as in the ^M13Town and Country Planning Act 1990;
“strategy” includes the strategy as modified from time to time and “statement” shall be construed accordingly.

10 This section makes provision for the purpose of implementing Article 7 of the ^M14directive of the Council of the European Union, dated 15th July 1975, on waste, as amended by—

a the ^M15directive of that Council, dated 18th March 1991, amending directive 75/442/EEC on waste; and

b the ^M16directive of that Council, dated 23rd December 1991, standardising and rationalising reports on the implementation of certain Directives relating to the environment.

^F91^C2544B National waste strategy: Scotland.¶

1 SEPA shall as soon as possible prepare a statement (“the strategy”) containing its policies in relation to the recovery and disposal of waste in Scotland.

2 SEPA may from time to time modify the strategy.

3 Without prejudice to the generality of what may be included in the strategy, the strategy must include—

a a statement of SEPA’s policies for attaining the objectives specified in Schedule 2A to this Act;

b provisions relating to each of the following, that is to say—

i the type, quantity and origin of waste to be recovered or disposed of;

ii general technical requirements; and

iii any special requirements for particular wastes.

4 In preparing the strategy or any modification of it SEPA shall consult—

a such bodies or persons appearing to it to be representative of the interests of industry as it may consider appropriate;

b such local authorities as appear to it to be likely to be affected by the strategy or modification,

and may consult such other bodies or persons as it considers appropriate.

5 Without prejudice to any power to give directions conferred by section 40 of the Environment Act 1995, the Secretary of State may give directions to SEPA—

a as to the policies which are to be included in the strategy;

b requiring it to carry out a survey or investigation into—

i the kinds or quantities of waste which it appears to it is likely to be situated in Scotland,

ii the facilities which are or appear to it likely to be available or needed in Scotland for recovering or disposing of any such waste,

iii any other matter which the Secretary of State considers appropriate in connection with its preparation of the strategy or any modifications of it.

6 A direction under subsection (5)(b) above—

a shall specify or describe the matters or the areas which are to be the subject of the survey or investigation; and

b may make provision in relation to the manner in which—

i the survey or investigation is to be carried out, or

ii the findings are to be reported or made available to other persons.

7 Where a direction is given under subsection (5)(b) above SEPA shall, in accordance with any requirement of the direction—

a before carrying out the survey or investigation, consult—

i such bodies or persons appearing to it to be representative of planning authorities, and

ii such bodies or persons appearing to it to be representative of the interests of industry,

as it may consider appropriate; and

b make its findings available to those authorities.

8 In this section—

“planning authority” means an authority within the meaning of section 172 of the ^M17Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973;
“strategy” includes the strategy as modified from time to time and “statement” shall be construed accordingly.

9 This section makes provision for the purpose of implementing Article 7 of the ^M18directive of the Council of the European Union dated 15th July 1975 on waste, as amended by—

a the ^M19directive of that Council dated 18th March 1991 amending directive 75/442/EEC on waste; and

b the ^M20directive of that Council dated 23rd December 1991 standardising and rationalising reports on the implementation of certain Directives relating to the environment.

^I845 Collection of controlled waste.¶

1 It shall be the duty of each waste collection authority—

a to arrange for the collection of household waste in its area except waste—

i which is situated at a place which in the opinion of the authority is so isolated or inaccessible that the cost of collecting it would be unreasonably high, and

ii as to which the authority is satisfied that adequate arrangements for its disposal have been or can reasonably be expected to be made by a person who controls the waste; and

b if requested by the occupier of premises in its area to collect any commercial waste from the premises, to arrange for the collection of the waste.; and

c if requested by the occupier of premises in its area to collect from the premises dry recyclable waste or food waste presented for collection in accordance with section 34(2E) or (2F), to arrange for the collection of the waste.

1A In subsection (1)(c), the reference to “dry recyclable waste or food waste” does not include—

a household waste; and

b food waste from premises in a rural area.

2 Each waste collection authority may, if requested by the occupier of premises in its area to collect any industrial waste from the premises, arrange for the collection of the waste; but a collection authority in England and Wales shall not exercise the power except with the consent of the waste disposal authority whose area includes the area of the waste collection authority.

3 No charge shall be made for the collection of household waste except in cases prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State; and in any of those cases—

a the duty to arrange for the collection of the waste shall not arise until a person who controls the waste requests the authority to collect it; and

b the authority may recover a reasonable charge for the collection of the waste from the person who made the request.

4 A person at whose request waste other than household waste is collected under this section shall be liable to pay a reasonable charge for the collection and disposal of the waste to the authority which arranged for its collection; and it shall be the duty of that authority to recover the charge unless in the case of a charge in respect of commercial waste the authority considers it inappropriate to do so.

5 It shall be the duty of each waste collection authority—

a to make such arrangements for the emptying, without charge, of privies serving one or more private dwellings in its area as the authority considers appropriate;

b if requested by the person who controls a cesspool serving only one or more private dwellings in its area to empty the cesspool, to remove such of the contents of the cesspool as the authority considers appropriate on payment, if the authority so requires, of a reasonable charge.

6 A waste collection authority may, if requested by the person who controls any other privy or cesspool in its area to empty the privy or cesspool, empty the privy or, as the case may be, remove from the cesspool such of its contents as the authority consider appropriate on payment, if the authority so requires, of a reasonable charge.

7 A waste collection authority may—

a construct, lay and maintain, within or outside its area, pipes and associated works for the purpose of collecting waste;

b contribute towards the cost incurred by another person in providing or maintaining pipes or associated works connecting with pipes provided by the authority under paragraph (a) above.

8 A waste collection authority may contribute towards the cost incurred by another person in providing or maintaining plant or equipment intended to deal with commercial or industrial waste before it is collected under arrangements made by the authority under subsection (1)(b) or (2) above.

9 Subject to section 48(1) below, anything collected under arrangements made by a waste collection authority under this section shall belong to the authority and may be dealt with accordingly.

10 In relation to Scotland, sections 2, 3, 4 and 41 of the ^M21Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 (maintenance of public sewers etc.) shall apply in relation to pipes and associated works provided or to be provided under subsection (7)(a) above as those sections apply in relation to public sewers but as if—

a the said section 2 conferred a power on a waste collection authority rather than a duty on Scottish Water ;

b in the said section 3—

i references to Scottish Water were references to a waste collection authority; and

ii in references to public sewers and public sewage works the word “public” were omitted;

c in the said section 4, the reference to Scottish Water were a reference to a waste collection authority and the words from “by virtue” to the end were omitted; and

d in the said section 41, the reference to Scottish Water were a reference to a waste collection authority,

and the ^M22Pipe-lines Act 1962 shall not apply to pipes and associated works provided or to be provided under the said subsection (7)(a).

10A Where a waste collection authority, in the exercise of its powers under subsection (7)(a) above, proposes to execute works outside its area, it shall, in addition to any notice served under section 3(2) of the Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 as applied by virtue of subsection (10) above, serve notice of its intention on the waste collection authority within whose area it is proposed to execute the works together with a description of the proposed works and if, within two months after the service of the notice, the waste collection authority on whom it was served objects to the proposed works, and that objection is not withdrawn, the first-mentioned authority shall not proceed to execute the works without consent aftermentioned but may refer the matter for the determination of the Scottish Ministers who may grant consent to the proposed works either unconditionally or subject to such terms and conditions as they think just, or who may withhold their consent, and their decision on the matter shall be final.

11 In the application of this section to Scotland, subsection (5)(b) and the references to a cesspool occurring in subsection (6) shall be omitted.

12 In this section “privy” means a latrine which has a moveable receptacle and “cesspool” includes a settlement tank or other tank for the reception or disposal of foul matter from buildings.In this section—

“privy” means a latrine which has a moveable receptacle;
“cesspool” includes a settlement tank or other tank for the reception or disposal of foul matter from buildings; and
“rural area” has the same meaning as in section 34(4B).

^C27645A England: separate collection of household waste¶

1 This section applies in relation to arrangements made under section 45(1)(a) for an English waste collection authority to collect household waste, unless they are arrangements in relation to which section 45AZA applies.

2 The arrangements must meet the conditions in subsections (3) to (8) (subject to any provision in regulations under section 45AZC).

3 The first condition is that recyclable household waste must be collected separately from other household waste.

4 The second condition is that recyclable household waste must be collected for recycling or composting.

^C2715 The third condition is that recyclable household waste in each recyclable waste stream must be collected separately, except so far as provided by subsection (6).

6 Recyclable household waste in two or more recyclable waste streams may be collected together where—

a it is not technically or economically practicable to collect recyclable household waste in those recyclable waste streams separately, or

b collecting recyclable household waste in those recyclable waste streams separately has no significant environmental benefit (having regard to the overall environmental impact of collecting it separately and of collecting it together).

7 But recyclable household waste within subsection (10)(a) to (d) may not be collected together with recyclable household waste within subsection (10)(e) or (f).

8 The fourth condition is that recyclable household waste which is food waste must be collected at least once a week.

9 Household waste is “recyclable household waste” if—

a it is within any of the recyclable waste streams, and

b it is of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

10 For the purposes of this section the recyclable waste streams are—

a glass;

b metal;

c plastic;

d paper and card;

e food waste;

f garden waste.

^C263^C19845AZA England: separate collection of household waste from relevant non-domestic premises¶

1 This section applies in relation to arrangements for household waste to be collected from relevant non-domestic premises in England by a person who, in collecting the waste—

a is acting in the course of a business (whether or not for profit), or

b is exercising a public function (including a function under section 45(1)(a)).

2 The arrangements must meet the conditions in subsections (3) to (7) (subject to any provision in regulations under section 45AZC).

3 The first condition is that recyclable household waste must be collected separately from other household waste.

4 The second condition is that recyclable household waste must be collected for recycling or composting.

^C1385 The third condition is that recyclable household waste in each recyclable waste stream must be collected separately, except so far as provided by subsection (6).

6 Recyclable household waste in two or more recyclable waste streams may be collected together where—

a it is not technically or economically practicable to collect recyclable household waste in those recyclable waste streams separately, or

7 But recyclable household waste within subsection (10)(a) to (d) may not be collected together with recyclable household waste within subsection (10)(e).

8 The person who presents household waste from the premises for collection under the arrangements must present it separated in accordance with the arrangements.This subsection does not apply so far as the person is subject to an equivalent duty by virtue of a notice under section 46.

9 Household waste is “recyclable household waste” if—

a it is within any of the recyclable waste streams, and

b it is of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

10 For the purposes of this section the “recyclable waste streams” are—

a glass;

b metal;

c plastic;

d paper and card;

e food waste.

11 For the purposes of this section “relevant non-domestic premises” means—

a a residential home;

b premises forming part of a university or school or other educational establishment;

c premises forming part of a hospital or nursing home;

d premises of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

12 Regulations under subsection (11)(d) may not specify domestic properties (within the meaning of section 75(5)(a)).

^C256^C19845AZB England: separate collection of industrial or commercial waste¶

1 This section applies in relation to arrangements for industrial or commercial waste to be collected from premises in England by a person who, in collecting the waste—

a is acting in the course of a business (whether or not for profit), or

b is exercising a public function (including a function under section 45(1)(b) or (2)).

2 So far as they relate to waste which is similar in nature and composition to household waste (“relevant waste”) the arrangements must meet the conditions in subsections (3) to (7).This is subject to any provision in regulations under section 45AZC.

3 The first condition is that recyclable relevant waste must be collected separately from other relevant waste.

4 The second condition is that recyclable relevant waste must be collected for recycling or composting.

^C2285 The third condition is that recyclable relevant waste in each recyclable waste stream must be collected separately, except so far as provided by subsection (6).

6 Recyclable relevant waste in two or more recyclable waste streams may be collected together where—

a it is not technically or economically practicable to collect recyclable relevant waste in those recyclable waste streams separately, or

b collecting recyclable relevant waste in those recyclable waste streams separately has no significant environmental benefit (having regard to the overall environmental impact of collecting it separately and of collecting it together).

7 But recyclable relevant waste within subsection (10)(a) to (d) may not be collected together with recyclable relevant waste within subsection (10)(e).

8 The person who presents relevant waste from the premises for collection under the arrangements must present it separated in accordance with the arrangements.This subsection does not apply so far as the person is subject to an equivalent duty by virtue of a notice under section 47.

9 Relevant waste is “recyclable relevant waste” if—

a it is within any of the recyclable waste streams, and

b it is of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

10 For the purposes of this section the “recyclable waste streams” are—

a glass;

b metal;

c plastic;

d paper and card;

e food waste.

45AZC Sections 45A to 45AZB: powers to exempt and extend¶

1 The Secretary of State may by regulations provide—

a for exemptions from the condition in section 45A(5), 45AZA(5) or 45AZB(5);

b for exemptions from the application of section 45AZA or 45AZB;

c for exemptions from the application of section 45AZA or 45AZB in relation to household waste or relevant waste in recyclable waste streams specified in the regulations.

2 The Secretary of State may exercise the power in subsection (1)(a) in relation to two or more recyclable waste streams only if satisfied that doing so will not significantly reduce the potential for recyclable household waste or recyclable relevant waste in those waste streams to be recycled or composted.

3 The Secretary of State may by regulations amend sections 45A to 45AZB so as to—

a add further recyclable waste streams, and

b make provision about the extent to which recyclable household waste or recyclable relevant waste in any of those waste streams may or may not be collected together with recyclable household waste or recyclable relevant waste in another recyclable waste stream.

4 The Secretary of State may exercise the power in subsection (3)(a) in relation to a waste stream only if satisfied that—

a there is waste in that waste stream which is suitable for recycling or composting, and recycling or composting it will have an environmental benefit,

b all English waste collection authorities can make arrangements for collecting waste in that waste stream which comply with the conditions in section 45A, 45AZA or 45AZB (as appropriate), taking account of any amendments to be made under subsection (3)(b), and

c there is a market for it after its collection.

5 Before making regulations under this section the Secretary of State must consult—

a the Environment Agency,

b English waste collection authorities,

c English waste disposal authorities, and

d anyone else the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

6 The requirement in subsection (5) may be met by consultation carried out before this section comes into force.

45AZD Sections 45A to 45AZB: duties of waste collectors¶

1 Subsection (2) applies where—

a a person collects or proposes to collect waste under arrangements to which section 45A, 45AZA or 45AZB applies, and

b the arrangements include arrangements to collect recyclable household waste or recyclable relevant waste in two or more recyclable waste streams together in reliance on section 45A(6), 45AZA(6) or 45AZB(6).

2 The person must prepare a written assessment of why the person considers that the section relied on applies.

45AZE Sections 45 to 45AZD: guidance¶

1 The Secretary of State may issue guidance about the duties imposed by sections 45 to 45AZD.

2 The guidance may in particular deal with—

a the circumstances in which it may not be technically or economically practicable to collect recyclable household waste or recyclable relevant waste in recyclable waste streams separately, or in which separate collection may not have significant environmental benefit;

b the frequency with which household waste other than recyclable household waste which is food waste should be collected;

c the kinds of waste which are relevant waste for the purposes of section 45AZB;

d assessments under section 45AZD.

3 The guidance may make different provision in relation to sections 45A, 45AZA and 45AZB.

4 Before issuing guidance under this section the Secretary of State must consult—

a the Environment Agency,

b English waste collection authorities,

c English waste disposal authorities, and

d anyone else the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

5 The requirement in subsection (4) may be met by consultation carried out before this section comes into force.

6 A waste collection authority, and any party to arrangements to which section 45AZA or 45AZB applies, must have regard to the guidance

7 The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament, and publish, the guidance.

45AZF Sections 45AZA and 45AZB: compliance notices¶

1 This section applies where the Environment Agency considers that a person other than an English waste collection authority—

a is a party to arrangements for the collection of household waste which fail to comply with section 45AZA,

b is a party to arrangements for the collection of relevant waste which fail to comply with section 45AZB, or

c is failing to comply with section 45AZA(8) or 45AZB(8).

2 It may give that person a notice (a “compliance notice”) requiring them to take specified steps within a specified period to secure that the failure does not continue or recur.

3 A compliance notice must—

a specify the failures to comply with section 45AZA or 45AZB,

b specify the steps which must be taken for the purpose of preventing the failure continuing or recurring,

c specify the period within which those steps must be taken, and

d give information as to the rights of appeal (including the period within which an appeal must be brought).

4 A person who fails to comply with a compliance notice commits an offence.

5 A person who commits an offence under subsection (4) is liable on summary conviction or conviction on indictment to a fine.

45AZG Sections 45AZA and 45AZB: appeals against compliance notices¶

1 A person who is given a compliance notice may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against—

a the notice, or

b any requirement in the notice.

2 The notice or requirement has effect pending the determination of the appeal, unless the tribunal decides otherwise.

3 The tribunal may—

a quash the notice or requirement,

b confirm the notice or requirement,

c vary the notice or requirement,

d take any steps the Environment Agency could take in relation to the failure giving rise to the notice or requirement, or

e remit any matter relating to the notice or requirement to the Environment Agency.

45AA Wales: separate collection etc. of waste¶

1 Where a waste collection authority in Wales arranges for the collection of controlled waste in its area under section 45, it must arrange for the waste to be collected in accordance with any applicable separation requirements.

2 A person acting in the course of a business who—

a collects controlled waste from premises in Wales, or

b receives, keeps, treats or transports controlled waste in Wales,

must do so in accordance with any applicable separation requirements.

3 For the purposes of subsection (2), a person is acting in the course of a business if the person is—

a carrying on any business or undertaking, whether for profit or not, or

b exercising any functions of a public nature.

4 An occupier of premises in Wales who presents controlled waste for collection (whether by a waste collection authority or by any other person) must do so in accordance with any applicable separation requirements.

5 Subsection (4) does not apply to an occupier of premises within paragraph (a) or (b) of section 75(5) (domestic property and caravans).

6 A separation requirement is a requirement to take steps specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers for the purpose of ensuring or maintaining the separation of one or more types of waste from other types of waste or from other substances or articles.

7 A separation requirement is applicable in the circumstances specified in relation to that requirement in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

8 A person commits an offence if the person fails without reasonable excuse to comply with subsection (2) or (4).

9 A person who commits an offence under subsection (8) is liable on summary conviction, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

10 The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision (which may include provision amending this section)—

a for subsection (1) or (2) to apply subject to exceptions;

b for subsection (4) to apply subject to exceptions in addition to those in subsection (5).

11 Regulations under this section may make different provision for different purposes, different cases (including different persons, premises or types of waste) and different areas.

45AB Code of practice¶

1 The Welsh Ministers may issue one or more codes of practice for the purpose of giving practical guidance about how to comply with requirements imposed by or under section 45AA.

2 The Welsh Ministers may revoke or revise a code of practice issued under this section.

3 Before issuing a code of practice (or revised code), the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they think appropriate.

4 Where the Welsh Ministers issue a code of practice (or revised code) they must—

a publish the code, and

b lay a copy before the National Assembly for Wales.

5 A code of practice issued under this section is admissible in evidence in any proceedings and must be taken into account by a court in determining any question to which it appears to the court to be relevant.

^F83345B Power to apply section 45A to Welsh waste collection authorities¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45C Separate collection of dry recyclable waste and food waste: Scotland¶

1 This section applies to a waste collection authority whose area is in Scotland (an “authority”) when the authority is making an arrangement in accordance with section 45(1)(a).

2 An authority must, from 1st January 2014, arrange for there to be provided to the occupier of every domestic property in its area such receptacles as will enable the separate collection of dry recyclable waste from the property.

3 An authority need not arrange for a receptacle to be provided under subsection (2) if—

a the property is in a rural area, and the authority considers that the separate collection of dry recyclable waste from the property would not be environmentally or economically practicable; or

b the authority considers that dry recyclable waste if not presented in a receptacle will be deposited at a bring site.

4 An authority need not comply with subsection (2) to the extent that—

a it considers that—

i such non-compliance will not affect the potential of the waste to undergo preparing for re-use, recycling or other recovery operations, and

ii the resulting output will be of comparable quantity and quality to that achieved if subsection (2) were complied with, and

b it is satisfied that dry recyclable waste will not be mixed with other waste that cannot be recycled.

5 An authority must, from 1st January 2016, arrange for there to be provided to the occupier of every domestic property in its area (apart from a property in a rural area)—

a a receptacle which enables the separate collection of food waste from the property; or

b where an authority is satisfied that the amount of food waste that will be collected is not significantly less than would be collected in a receptacle provided under paragraph (a), a receptacle which enables the occupier to present food waste and other biodegradable waste for collection.

6 An authority must, from 1st January 2014, take such steps as the authority considers reasonable to—

a promote separate collection (including the making of arrangements for the provision of a food waste receptacle); and

b promote recycling in any other manner.

7 In this section—

“bring site” means any site (supervised or otherwise) where—
1. an occupier of domestic property can deposit dry recyclable waste produced on that property in receptacles for one or more dry waste streams; and
2. waste so deposited is collected and transported separately by an authorised person (for which see section 34(3));
“receptacle” has the same meaning as in section 46(10); and
“rural area” has the same meaning as in section 34(4B).

^C101^I946 Receptacles for household waste.¶

1 Where a waste collection authority has a duty by virtue of section 45(1)(a) above to arrange for the collection of household waste from any premises, the authority may, by notice served on him, require the occupier to place the waste for collection in receptacles of a kind and number specified.

1A Where—

a subsection (1) applies to a waste collection authority, and

b a waste reduction scheme under Schedule 2AA to this Act is in operation in the authority's area,

the authority may require the occupier to place the waste for collection in receptacles identified by such means as may be specified.

1B A requirement under subsection (1A)—

a must be imposed by notice served on the occupier;

b may be imposed instead of, or in addition to, any requirement imposed on the occupier under subsection (1).

^C1022 The kind and number of the receptacles required under subsection (1) above to be used shall be such only as are reasonable but —

a subject to that, a waste collection authority whose area is in Wales may require separate receptacles or compartments of receptacles to be used for waste which is to be recycled and waste which is not;

b an English waste collection authority may require separate receptacles or compartments of receptacles to be used for the purposes of complying with its duties under section 45A or 45AZA.

^C1023 In making requirements under subsection (1) above the authority may, as respects the provision of the receptacles—

a determine that they be provided by the authority free of charge;

b propose that they be provided, if the occupier agrees, by the authority on payment by him of such a single payment or such periodical payments as he agrees with the authority;

c require the occupier to provide them if he does not enter into an agreement under paragraph (b) above within a specified period; or

d require the occupier to provide them.

^C1024 In making requirements as respects receptacles under subsection (1) above, the authority may, by the notice under that subsection, make provision with respect to—

a the size, construction and maintenance of the receptacles;

b the placing of the receptacles for the purpose of facilitating the emptying of them, and access to the receptacles for that purpose;

c the placing of the receptacles for that purpose on highways or, in Scotland, roads;

d the substances or articles which may or may not be put into the receptacles or compartments of receptacles of any description and the precautions to be taken where particular substances or articles are put into them; and

e the steps to be taken by occupiers of premises to facilitate the collection of waste from the receptacles.

f the removal of the receptacles placed for the purpose of facilitating the emptying of them; and

g the time when the receptacles must be placed for that purpose and removed.

^C1025 No requirement shall be made under subsection (1) above for receptacles to be placed on a highway or, as the case may be, road, unless—

a the relevant highway authority or roads authority have given their consent to their being so placed; and

b arrangements have been made as to the liability for any damage arising out of their being so placed.

5A A requirement imposed on an occupier by a waste collection authority in Wales by a notice under this section does not apply so far as the requirement duplicates or conflicts with a requirement imposed on the occupier under section 45AA(4).

6 A person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirements imposed by a waste collection authority in Scotland or Wales under subsection (1), (1A), (3)(c) or (d) or (4) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

7 Where an occupier is required under subsection (1) above to provide any receptacles he may, within the period allowed by subsection (8) below, appeal to a magistrates’ court or, in Scotland, to the sheriff by way of summary application against any requirement imposed under subsection (1), subsection (3)(c) or (d) or (4) above on the ground that—

a the requirement is unreasonable; or

b the receptacles in which household waste is placed for collection from the premises are adequate.

8 The period allowed to the occupier of premises for appealing against such a requirement is the period of twenty-one days beginning—

a in a case where a period was specified under subsection (3)(c) above, with the end of that period; and

b where no period was specified, with the day on which the notice making the requirement was served on him.

9 Where an appeal against a requirement is brought under subsection (7) above—

a the requirement shall be of no effect pending the determination of the appeal;

b the court shall either quash or modify the requirement or dismiss the appeal; and

c no question as to whether the requirement is, in any respect, unreasonable shall be entertained in any proceedings for an offence under subsection (6) above.

10 In this section—

“receptacle” includes a holder for receptacles; and
“specified” means specified in a notice under subsection (1) or (1A) above.

11 A waste collection authority is not obliged to collect household waste that is placed for collection in contravention of a requirement under this section.

46ZA Enforcement of household waste requirements: Scotland¶

1 An authorised officer of a waste collection authority may give a written warning to a person if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that—

a the person has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed by the authority under section 46(1), (3)(c) or (d) or (4) (a “section 46 requirement”), and

b the person's failure to comply—

i has caused, or is or was likely to cause, a nuisance, or

ii has been, or is or was likely to be, detrimental to any amenities of the locality.

2 A written warning under subsection (1)—

a must—

i identify the section 46 requirement with which the person has failed to comply,

ii explain the nature of the failure to comply,

iii explain how the failure to comply has had, or is or was likely to have, the effect described in subsection (1)(b),

iv if the failure to comply is continuing, specify the period within which the requirement must be complied with and explain the consequences of the requirement not being complied with within that period, and

v whether or not the failure to comply is continuing, explain the consequences of the person subsequently failing to comply with the same or a similar section 46 requirement, and

b may contain such other provision as the waste collection authority considers appropriate.

3 An authorised officer of a waste collection authority may require a person to whom a written warning under subsection (1) has been given to pay a civil penalty charge to the authority, if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the person continued to fail to comply with the section 46 requirement identified in the warning after the end of the period for compliance specified in the warning.

4 An authorised officer of a waste collection authority may require a person who has already been required to pay a civil penalty charge under subsection (3) to pay a further civil penalty charge to the authority, if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the person’s original failure to comply still continues during the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the written warning was given.

5 But a further civil penalty charge may not be required under subsection (4) where there is an appeal pending against the decision to require a charge under subsection (3).

6 An authorised officer of a waste collection authority may require a person to whom a written warning under subsection (1) has been given to pay a civil penalty charge to the authority, if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that, before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the warning was given—

a the person—

i has again failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the section 46 requirement identified in the warning, or

ii has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a section 46 requirement that is similar to the one identified in the warning, and

b the person's failure to comply—

i has caused, or is or was likely to cause, a nuisance, or

ii has been, or is or was likely to be, detrimental to any amenities of the locality.

7 An authorised officer may require a person to pay a civil penalty charge under subsection (4) or (6) each time that the authorised officer is satisfied on the balance of probabilities of the matters mentioned in the subsection.

8 An authorised officer may not give a person a written warning under subsection (1) where, in relation to the same circumstances—

a the person has already been given a notice under section 46ZD(2), or

b proceedings have already been instituted against the person for an alleged offence under section 46(6).

9 An authorised officer imposing a requirement to pay a civil penalty charge under subsection (3), (4) or (6) must act in accordance with section 46ZB.

10 A civil penalty charge under this section is recoverable in like manner as an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff for any sheriffdom.

11 In this section and sections 46ZB to 46ZD—

an “authorised officer” means an employee of a waste collection authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving written warnings and requiring payment of civil penalty charges under this section,
a “civil penalty charge” means a monetary penalty of an amount specified in regulations under section 46ZC.

46ZB Civil penalty charges under section 46ZA: prior notices of intent and final notices¶

1 Before requiring a person to pay a civil penalty charge under section 46ZA, an authorised officer must serve on the person notice of intention to do so (a “notice of intent”).

2 A notice of intent must contain information about—

a the grounds for requiring payment of a civil penalty charge,

b the amount of the civil penalty charge, and

c the person’s entitlement to make representations under subsection (3).

3 A person on whom a notice of intent is served may, within a period specified in regulations under section 46ZC, make representations to the authorised officer as to why payment of a civil penalty charge should not be required.

4 In order to require a person to pay a civil penalty charge under section 46ZA, an authorised officer must serve on the person a further notice (the “final notice”) in accordance with subsections (5) to (7).

5 A final notice may not be served on a person by an authorised officer before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day service of the notice of intent on the person was effected.

6 Before serving a final notice on a person, an authorised officer must consider any representations made by the person under subsection (3).

7 A final notice must contain information about—

a the grounds for requiring payment of a civil penalty charge,

b the amount of the civil penalty charge,

c how payment may be made,

d the period within which payment is required to be made,

e the right to appeal by virtue of section 46ZC(1)(i), and

f the consequences of not paying the civil penalty charge.

46ZC Civil penalty charges under section 46ZA: procedure and amount¶

1 The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision about—

a the amount of the civil penalty charge that a person may be required to pay to a waste collection authority under section 46ZA,

b discounts and surcharges relating to civil penalty charges under section 46ZA,

c the procedure to be followed by an authorised officer in requiring payment of a civil penalty charge under section 46ZA,

d the form and content of—

i a notice of a civil penalty charge under section 46ZA,

ii a notice of intent and a final notice under section 46ZB,

e the period within which representations in response to a notice of intent under section 46ZB may be given, and the form in which they may be given,

f the matters to be considered by the authority in relation to such representations,

g the period for payment of a civil penalty charge under section 46ZA(3), (4) and (6),

h the circumstances in which the requirement of a civil penalty charge under section 46ZA may be withdrawn by a waste collection authority,

i the appeal procedure in relation to the requirement of a civil penalty charge under section 46ZA.

2 Regulations under subsection (1) may—

a make incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision,

b make different provision for different purposes or for different waste collection authority areas.

46ZD Fixed penalty notices for offences under section 46¶

1 This section applies where an authorised officer of a waste collection authority has reason to believe that a person has committed an offence under section 46(6) requirement in the area of that authority.

2 The authorised officer may give the person a notice offering the person the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty to the waste collection authority.

3 Where a person is given a notice under subsection (2) in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the date of the notice, and

b the person may not be convicted of that offence if the person pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

4 Where a person has already been given a final notice under section 46ZB, and any subsequent civil penalty charge has been paid in full—

a no notice may be given to the person under subsection (2) of this section in relation to the same circumstances,

b no proceedings may be instituted under section 46(6) against the person in relation to the same circumstances.

5 A notice under subsection (2) must—

a state the particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence,

b state the period during which, by virtue of subsection (3), proceedings will not be instituted for the offence,

c state the amount of the fixed penalty,

d explain that the notice contains an offer to discharge liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty and the person is not required to accept that offer, and

e state the person to whom the fixed penalty may be paid, and the address and website for doing so.

6 The Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify—

a the amount of the fixed penalty payable under this section (not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale),

b the form of a notice under subsection (2).

7 An authorised officer of a waste collection authority may require an occupier of domestic property to give the occupier’s name, address and date of birth, if the officer proposes to give the occupier a fixed penalty notice under this section.

8 A person commits an offence if the person—

a fails to give a name, address or date of birth when required to do so under subsection (7), or

b gives a false or inaccurate name, address or date of birth in response to a requirement under that subsection.

9 A person who commits an offence under subsection (8) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

10 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed on behalf of the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the waste collection authority, and

b states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

46ZE Guidance¶

1 The Scottish Ministers must issue guidance on the operation of sections 46ZA to 46ZD.

2 In preparing guidance under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult waste collection authorities.

3 A waste collection authority, and an authorised officer of a waste collection authority, must have regard to any guidance issued under subsection (1).

46A Written warnings and penalties for failure to comply with requirements relating to household waste receptacles: England¶

1 This section applies where an authorised officer of a waste collection authority in England is satisfied that—

a a person has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed by the authority under section 46(1), (3)(c) or (d) or (4) (a “section 46 requirement”), and

b the person's failure to comply—

i has caused, or is or was likely to cause, a nuisance, or

ii has been, or is or was likely to be, detrimental to any amenities of the locality.

2 Where this section applies, the authorised officer may give a written warning to the person.

3 A written warning must—

a identify the section 46 requirement with which the person has failed to comply,

b explain the nature of the failure to comply,

c explain how the failure to comply has had, or is or was likely to have, the effect described in subsection (1)(b),

d if the failure to comply is continuing, specify the period within which the requirement must be complied with and explain the consequences of the requirement not being complied with within that period, and

e whether or not the failure to comply is continuing, explain the consequences of the person subsequently failing to comply with the same or a similar section 46 requirement.

4 Where a written warning has been given in respect of a failure to comply that is continuing, an authorised officer of the waste collection authority may require the person to whom the written warning was given to pay a fixed penalty to the authority if satisfied that the person has failed to comply with the section 46 requirement identified in the warning within the period specified by virtue of subsection (3)(d).

5 Where a person has been required to pay a fixed penalty under subsection (4) and that requirement has not been withdrawn on appeal, an authorised officer of the authority may require the person to pay a further fixed penalty to the authority if satisfied that the failure to comply is still continuing at the end of a relevant period which falls within the period of one year beginning with the day the written warning was given.

6 For the purposes of subsection (5)—

a a “relevant period” is a period beginning with the day a final notice is served on the person under section 46C(5) in respect of the failure to comply that is continuing and ending with—

i where the person appeals against the requirement to pay a fixed penalty imposed by the final notice, the day on which the appeal that is the final appeal made by the person against the requirement is dismissed or withdrawn;

ii where the person does not appeal, the day on which the period for appealing expires;

b there is no relevant period where the person appeals as mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) and the requirement to pay the fixed penalty is withdrawn on appeal.

7 Where a written warning has been given, whether or not in respect of a failure to comply that is continuing, an authorised officer of the waste collection authority may require the person to whom the written warning was given to pay a fixed penalty to the authority if satisfied that, within the period of one year beginning with the day the written warning was given —

a the person has again failed without reasonable excuse to comply with the section 46 requirement identified in the warning and the person's failure to comply has had, or is or was likely to have, the effect described in subsection (1)(b), or

b the person has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a section 46 requirement that is similar to the one identified in the warning and the person's failure to comply has had, or is or was likely to have, the effect described in subsection (1)(b).

8 An authorised officer may require a person to pay a fixed penalty under subsection (5) or (7) each time that the authorised officer is satisfied of the matters mentioned in the subsection.

9 An authorised officer imposing a requirement to pay a fixed penalty under subsection (4), (5) or (7) must act in accordance with section 46C.

10 A “fixed penalty” means a monetary penalty of an amount determined in accordance with section 46B.

11 An “authorised officer”, in relation to a waste collection authority, means—

a an employee of the authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving written warnings and requiring payment of fixed penalties under this section;

b any person who, under arrangements made with the authority, has the function of giving such warnings and requiring such payments and is authorised in writing by the authority to perform that function;

c any employee of such a person who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving such warnings and requiring such payments.

46B Amount of penalty under section 46A and recovery of penalty¶

1 The amount of the monetary penalty that a person may be required to pay to a waste collection authority under section 46A is—

a the amount specified by the waste collection authority in relation to the authority's area, or

b if no amount is so specified, £60.

2 A waste collection authority may make provision for treating a fixed penalty under section 46A as having been paid if a lesser amount is paid before the end of a period specified by the authority.

3 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision in connection with the powers conferred on waste collection authorities in England under subsections (1)(a) and (2).

4 Regulations under subsection (3) may (in particular)—

a require an amount specified under subsection (1)(a) to fall within a range prescribed in the regulations;

b restrict the extent to which, and the circumstances in which, a waste collection authority may make provision under subsection (2).

5 The Secretary of State may by order substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being specified in subsection (1)(b).

6 A fixed penalty under section 46A—

a is recoverable summarily as a civil debt;

b is recoverable as if it were payable under an order of the High Court or the county court, if the court in question so orders.

46C Penalties under section 46A: procedure regarding notices of intent and final notices¶

1 Before requiring a person to pay a fixed penalty under section 46A, an authorised officer must serve on the person notice of intention to do so (a “notice of intent”) in accordance with subsections (2) to (4).

2 A notice of intent must contain information about—

a the grounds for proposing to require payment of a fixed penalty,

b the amount of the penalty that the person would be required to pay, and

c the right to make representations under subsection (3).

3 A person on whom a notice of intent is served may make representations to the authorised officer as to why payment of a fixed penalty should not be required.

4 Representations under subsection (3) must be made within the period of 28 days beginning with the day service of the notice of intent is effected.

5 In order to require a person to pay a fixed penalty under section 46A, an authorised officer must serve on the person a further notice (the “final notice”) in accordance with subsections (6) to (8).

6 A final notice may not be served on a person by an authorised officer before the expiry of the period of 28 days beginning with the day service of the notice of intent on the person was effected.

7 Before serving a final notice on a person, an authorised officer must consider any representations made by the person under subsection (3).

8 The final notice must contain information about—

a the grounds for requiring payment of a fixed penalty,

b the amount of the penalty,

c how payment may be made,

d the period within which payment is required to be made (which must not be less than the period of 28 days beginning with the day service of the final notice is effected),

e any provision giving a discount for early payment made by virtue of section 46B(2),

f the right to appeal under section 46D, and

g the consequences of not paying the penalty.

46D Appeals against penalties under section 46A¶

1 A person on whom a final notice is served under section 46C may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against the decision to require payment of a fixed penalty.

2 On an appeal under this section the First-tier Tribunal may withdraw or confirm the requirement to pay the fixed penalty.

3 The requirement to pay the fixed penalty is suspended pending the determination or withdrawal of the appeal that is the final appeal made by the person against the decision to require payment of the penalty.(This is subject to subsection (4).)

4 Where the requirement to pay the fixed penalty is confirmed at any stage in the proceedings on appeal, payment must be made before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the requirement is so confirmed unless the person makes a further appeal before the end of that period.

5 The reference in subsection (4) to the requirement to pay the fixed penalty being confirmed on appeal includes a reference to an appeal decision confirming the requirement to pay the fixed penalty being upheld on a further appeal.

^C103^I1047 Receptacles for commercial or industrial waste.¶

1 A waste collection authority may, at the request of any person, supply him with receptacles for commercial or industrial waste which he has requested the authority to arrange to collect and shall make a reasonable charge for any receptacle supplied unless in the case of a receptacle for commercial waste the authority considers it appropriate not to make a charge.

2 If it appears to a waste collection authority that there is likely to be situated, on any premises in its area, commercial waste or industrial waste of a kind which, if the waste is not stored in receptacles of a particular kind, is likely to cause a nuisance or to be detrimental to the amenities of the locality, the authority may, by notice served on him, require the occupier of the premises to provide at the premises receptacles for the storage of such waste of a kind and number specified.

^C1043 The kind and number of the receptacles required under subsection (2) above to be used shall be such only as are reasonable , but an English waste collection authority may require separate receptacles or compartments of receptacles to be used for the purposes of complying with section 45AZB so far as it applies to waste of the kind in question.

^C1044 In making requirements as respects receptacles under subsection (2) above, the authority may, by the notice under that subsection, make provision with respect to—

a the size, construction and maintenance of the receptacles;

b the placing of the receptacles for the purpose of facilitating the emptying of them, and access to the receptacles for that purpose;

c the placing of the receptacles for that purpose on highways or, in Scotland, roads;

d the substances or articles which may or may not be put into the receptacles and the precautions to be taken where particular substances or articles are put into them; and

e the steps to be taken by occupiers of premises to facilitate the collection of waste from the receptacles.

f the removal of the receptacles placed for the purpose of facilitating the emptying of them; and

g the time when the receptacles must be placed for that purpose and removed.

^C1045 No requirement shall be made under subsection (2) above for receptacles to be placed on a highway or, as the case may be, road unless—

a the relevant highway authority or roads authority have given their consent to their being so placed; and

b arrangements have been made as to the liability for any damage arising out of their being so placed.

^C1046 A person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirements imposed under subsection (2) or (4) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

7 Where an occupier is required under subsection (2) above to provide any receptacles he may, within the period allowed by subsection (8) below, appeal to a magistrates’ court or, in Scotland, to the sheriff by way of summary application against any requirement imposed under subsection (2) or (4) above on the ground that—

a the requirement is unreasonable; or

b the waste is not likely to cause a nuisance or be detrimental to the amenities of the locality.

8 The period allowed to the occupier of premises for appealing against such a requirement is the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which the notice making the requirement was served on him.

9 Where an appeal against a requirement is brought under subsection (7) above—

a the requirement shall be of no effect pending the determination of the appeal;

b the court shall either quash or modify the requirement or dismiss the appeal; and

c no question as to whether the requirement is, in any respect, unreasonable shall be entertained in any proceedings for an offence under subsection (6) above.

10 In this section—

“receptacle” includes a holder for receptacles; and
“specified” means specified in a notice under subsection (2) above.

47ZA Fixed penalty notices for offences under sections 46 and 47¶

1 This section applies where on any occasion an authorised officer of a waste collection authority has reason to believe that a person has committed an offence under section 46 or 47 above in the area of that authority.

2 The authorised officer may give that person a notice offering him the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty to the waste collection authority.

3 Where a person is given a notice under this section in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings may be instituted for that offence before the expiration of the period of fourteen days following the date of the notice; and

b he may not be convicted of that offence if he pays the fixed penalty before the expiration of that period.

4 A notice under this section must give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence.

5 A notice under this section must also state—

a the period during which, by virtue of subsection (3) above, proceedings will not be taken for the offence;

b the amount of the fixed penalty; and

c the person to whom and the address at which the fixed penalty may be paid.

7 Where a letter is sent in accordance with subsection (6) above payment is to be regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

8 The form of a notice under this section is to be such as the appropriate person may by order prescribe.

9 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed on behalf of the chief finance officer of the waste collection authority, and

b states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

10 In this section—

“authorised officer”, in relation to a waste collection authority, means—
1. an employee of the authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purposes of giving notices under this section;
2. any person who, in pursuance of arrangements made with the authority, has the function of giving such notices and is authorised in writing by the authority to perform that function;
3. any employee of such a person who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving such notices;
“chief finance officer”, in relation to a waste collection authority, means the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority.

47ZB Amount of fixed penalty under section 47ZA¶

1 This section applies in relation to a fixed penalty payable to a waste collection authority in pursuance of a notice under section 47ZA above.

2 The amount of the fixed penalty—

a is the amount specified by the waste collection authority in relation to the authority's area, or

b if no amount is so specified —

^F820i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ii ^F1132... is £100.

3 The waste collection authority may make provision for treating the fixed penalty as having been paid if a lesser amount is paid before the end of a period specified by the authority.

4 The appropriate person may by regulations make provision in connection with the powers conferred on waste collection authorities under subsections (2)(a) and (3) above.

5 Regulations under subsection (4) may (in particular)—

a require an amount specified under subsection (2)(a) above to fall within a range prescribed in the regulations;

b restrict the extent to which, and the circumstances in which, a waste collection authority can make provision under subsection (3) above.

6 The appropriate person may by order substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being specified in subsection (2)(b) above.

47A Recycling and composting: duty to report to Parliament¶

1 Not later than 31st October 2004, the Secretary of State shall lay before each House of Parliament a report of the performance—

a of each English waste authority in meeting its recycling and composting standards (if any); and

b of each English waste collection authority towards meeting the requirement imposed by section 45A(2) above.

2 In this section—

“English waste authority” means a waste collection authority or a waste disposal authority whose area is in England;
“English waste collection authority” means a waste collection authority whose area is in England; and
“recycling and composting standards” means, in relation to an English waste authority, such performance standards and performance indicators (if any) as may be specified for that authority in an order made under section 4 of the Local Government Act 1999 in connection with the recycling and composting of household waste.

^I1148 Duties of waste collection authorities as respects disposal of waste collected.¶

1 Subject to subsections (2) and (6) below, it shall be the duty of each waste collection authority to deliver for disposal all waste which is collected by the authority under section 45 above to such places as the waste disposal authority for its area directs.

1A A waste collection authority in England which is not also a waste disposal authority must discharge its duty under subsection (1) above in accordance with any directions about separation of waste given by the waste disposal authority for its area.

2 The duty imposed on a waste collection authority by subsection (1) above does not, except in cases falling within subsection (4) below, apply as respects household waste or commercial waste for which the authority decides to make arrangements for recycling the waste; and the authority shall have regard, in deciding what recycling arrangements to make, to its waste recycling plan under section 49 below.

3 A waste collection authority which decides to make arrangements under subsection (2) above for recycling waste collected by it shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, by notice in writing, inform the waste disposal authority for the area which includes its area of the arrangements which it proposes to make.

4 Where a waste disposal authority has made ^F523. . . arrangements, as respects household waste or commercial waste in its area or any part of its area, ^F523. . . to recycle the waste, or any of it, the waste disposal authority may, by notice served on the waste collection authority, object to the waste collection authority having the waste recycled; and the objection may be made as respects all the waste, part only of the waste or specified descriptions of the waste.

5 Where an objection is made under subsection (4) above, subsection (2) above shall not be available to the waste collection authority to the extent objected to.

6 A waste collection authority may ^F524. . . provide plant and equipment for the sorting and baling of waste retained by the authority under subsection (2) above.

7 ^F522. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 A waste collection authority may permit another person to use facilities provided by the authority under subsection (6) above and may provide for the use of another person any such facilities as the authority has power to provide under that subsection; and—

a subject to paragraph (b) below, it shall be the duty of the authority to make a reasonable charge in respect of the use by another person of the facilities, unless the authority considers it appropriate not to make a charge;

b no charge shall be made under this subsection in respect of household waste; and

c anything delivered to the authority by another person in the course of using the facilities shall belong to the authority and may be dealt with accordingly.

9 This section shall not apply to Scotland.

49 Waste recycling plans by collection authorities.¶

^F475. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F9350 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^I1251 Functions of waste disposal authorities.¶

1 It shall be the duty of each waste disposal authority to arrange—

a for the disposal of the controlled waste collected in its area by the waste collection authorities; and

b for places to be provided at which persons resident in its area may deposit their household waste and for the disposal of waste so deposited;

^F525. . . .

2 The arrangements made by a waste disposal authority under subsection (1)(b) above shall be such as to secure that—

a each place is situated either within the area of the authority or so as to be reasonably accessible to persons resident in its area;

b each place is available for the deposit of waste at all reasonable times (including at least one period on the Saturday or following day of each week except a week in which the Saturday is 25th December or 1st January);

c each place is available for the deposit of waste free of charge by persons resident in the area;

but the arrangements may restrict the availability of specified places to specified descriptions of waste.

3 A waste disposal authority may include in arrangements made under subsection (1)(b) above arrangements for the places provided for its area for the deposit of household waste free of charge by residents in its area to be available for the deposit of household or other controlled waste by other persons on such terms as to payment (if any) as the authority determines.

4 For the purpose of discharging its duty under subsection (1)(a) above as respects controlled waste collected as mentioned in that paragraph a waste disposal authority—

a shall give directions to the waste collection authorities within its area as to the persons to whom and places at which such waste is to be delivered;

b ^F666. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c ^F666. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

d ^F666. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

e may contribute towards the cost incurred by persons who produce commercial or industrial waste in providing and maintaining plant or equipment intended to deal with such waste before it is collected; and

f may contribute towards the cost incurred by persons who produce commercial or industrial waste in providing or maintaining pipes or associated works connecting with pipes provided by a waste collection authority within the area of the waste disposal authority.

4A A waste disposal authority in England which is not also a waste collection authority may in directions under subsection (4)(a) above include requirements about separation that relate to waste as delivered, but may do so only if it considers it necessary for assisting it to comply with any obligation imposed on it by or under any enactment.

4B Before exercising its power to include requirements about separation in directions under subsection (4)(a) above, a waste disposal authority shall consult the waste collection authorities within its area.

4C In exercising its power to include requirements about separation in directions under subsection (4)(a) above, a waste disposal authority shall have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State as to the exercise of that power.

4D A waste disposal authority which includes requirements about separation in directions given under subsection (4)(a) above shall notify the waste collection authorities to which the directions are given of its reasons for including the requirements.

5 ^F666. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 ^F666. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 Subsection (1) above is subject to section 77.

8 This section shall not apply to Scotland.

^I13^E4952 Payments for recycling and disposal etc. of waste.¶

^C871 Where, under section 48(2) above, a waste collection authority retains for recycling waste collected by it under section 45 above, the waste disposal authority for the area which includes the area of the waste collection authority shall make to that authority payments, in respect of the waste so retained

a in the case of a waste disposal authority in England, of such amounts as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

b in the case of a waste disposal authority in Wales,

of such amounts representing its net saving of expenditure on the disposal of the waste as the authority determines.

1A The Secretary of State may by order disapply subsection (1) above in relation to any waste disposal authority constituted under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1985 (joint arrangements for waste disposal in London and metropolitan counties) ^F809....

1B A waste disposal authority is not required to make payments to a waste collection authority under subsection (1) above where, on the basis of arrangements involving the two authorities, the waste collection authority has agreed that such payments need not be made.

2 Where, by reason of the discharge by a waste disposal authority of its functions, waste arising in its area does not fall to be collected by a waste collection authority under section 45 above, the waste collection authority shall make to the waste disposal authority payments, in respect of the waste not falling to be so collected, of such amounts representing its net saving of expenditure on the collection of the waste as the authority determines.

3 Where a person other than a waste collection authority, for the purpose of recycling it, collects waste arising in the area of a waste disposal authority which would fall to be collected under section 45 above, the waste disposal authority may make to that person payments, in respect of the waste so collected

a in the case of a waste disposal authority in England, of such amounts as may be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

b in the case of a waste disposal authority in Wales,

of such amounts representing its net saving of expenditure on the disposal of the waste as the authority determines.

4 Where a person other than a waste collection authority, for the purpose of recycling it, collects waste which would fall to be collected under section 45 above, the waste collection authority may make to that person payments, in respect of the waste so collected, of such amounts representing its net saving of expenditure on the collection of the waste as the authority determines.

4A The Secretary of State may by regulations impose on waste disposal authorities in England a duty to make payments corresponding to the payments which are authorised by subsection (3)(a) above to such persons in such circumstances and in respect of such descriptions or quantities of waste as are specified in the regulations.

5 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, impose on waste disposal authorities in Wales a duty to make payments corresponding to the payments which are authorised by subsection (3)(b) above to such persons in such circumstances and in respect of such descriptions or quantities of waste as are specified in the regulations.

6 For the purposes of subsections (1)(b), (3)(b) and (5) above the net saving of expenditure of a waste disposal authority on the disposal of any waste retained or collected for recycling is the amount of the expenditure which the authority would, but for the retention or collection, have incurred in having it disposed of less any amount payable by the authority to any person in consequence of the retention or collection for recycling (instead of the disposal) of the waste.

7 For the purposes of subsections (2) and (4) above the net saving of expenditure of a waste collection authority on the collection of any waste not falling to be collected by it is the amount of the expenditure which the authority would, if it had had to collect the waste, have incurred in collecting it .

^I138 The Secretary of State shall, by regulations, make provision for the determination of the net saving of expenditure for the purposes of subsections (1)(b), (2)(b), (3)(b), (4)(b) and (5) above.

8A The Secretary of State may give guidance—

a to a waste disposal authority in England, for the purposes of determining whether to exercise the power in subsection (3) above;

b to a waste collection authority in England, for the purposes of determining whether to exercise the power in subsection (4) above.

9 A waste disposal authority shall be entitled to receive from a waste collection authority such sums as are needed to reimburse the waste disposal authority the reasonable cost of making arrangements under section 51(1) above for the disposal of commercial and industrial waste collected in the area of the waste disposal authority.

10 A waste disposal authority shall pay to a waste collection authority a reasonable contribution towards expenditure reasonably incurred by the waste collection authority in delivering waste, in pursuance of a direction under section 51(4)(a) above, to a place which is unreasonably far from the waste collection authority’s area.

11 Any question arising under subsection (9) or (10) above shall, in default of agreement between the two authorities in question, be determined by arbitration.

12 In this section, references to recycling waste include re-using it (whether or not the waste is subjected to any process).

52A Payments for delivering waste pre-separated¶

1 A waste disposal authority in England which is not also a waste collection authority shall pay to a waste collection authority within its area such amounts as are needed to ensure that the collection authority is not financially worse off as a result of having to comply with any separation requirements.

2 A waste disposal authority in England which is not also a waste collection authority may pay to a waste collection authority within its area—

a which performs its duty under section 48(1) above by delivering waste in a state of separation, but

b which is not subject to any separation requirements as respects the delivery of that waste,

contributions of such amounts as the disposal authority may determine towards expenditure of the collection authority that is attributable to its delivering the waste in that state.

3 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about how amounts to be paid under subsection (1) above are to be determined.

4 Regulations under subsection (3) above may include provision for amounts to be less than they would otherwise be (or to be nil) if conditions specified in the regulations are not satisfied.

5 Any question arising under subsection (1) above shall, in default of agreement between the paying and receiving authorities, be determined by arbitration.

6 A waste collection authority in England which is not also a waste disposal authority shall supply the waste disposal authority for its area with such information as the disposal authority may reasonably require—

a for the purpose of determining amounts under this section, or

b for the purpose of estimating any amounts that would fall to be determined under this section were the collection authority to be subject to particular separation requirements.

7 In this section “separation requirements”, in relation to a waste collection authority, means requirements about separation included in directions given to it under section 51(4)(a) above.

^I1453 Duties of authorities as respects disposal of waste collected: Scotland.¶

1 It shall be the duty of each waste disposal authority to arrange for the disposal of any waste collected by it, in its capacity as a waste collection authority, under section 45 above; and without prejudice to the authority’s powers apart from the following provisions of this subsection, the powers exercisable by the authority for the purpose of performing that duty shall include power—

a to provide, within or outside its area, places at which to deposit waste before the authority transfers it to a place or plant or equipment provided under the following paragraph; and

b to provide, within or outside its area, places at which to dispose of or recycle the waste and plant or equipment for processing, recycling or otherwise disposing of it.

2 Subsections (7) , (10) and (10A) of section 45 above shall have effect in relation to a waste disposal authority as if the reference in paragraph (a) of the said subsection (7) to the collection of waste included the disposal of waste under this section and the disposal of anything produced from waste belonging to the authority.

3 A waste disposal authority may permit another person to use facilities provided by the authority under the preceding provisions of this section and may provide for the use of another person any such facilities as the authority has power to provide under those provisions, and—

a subject to the following paragraph, it shall be the duty of the authority to make a reasonable charge in respect of the use by another person of the facilities unless the authority considers it appropriate not to make a charge;

b no charge shall be made under this section in respect of household waste; and

c anything delivered to the authority by another person in the course of using the facilities shall belong to the authority and may be dealt with accordingly.

4 References to waste in subsection (1) above do not include matter removed from privies under section 45(5)(a) or (6) above, and it shall be the duty of a waste collection authority ^F94. . . by which matter is so removed—

a to deliver the matter, in accordance with any directions of Scottish Water, at a place specified in the directions (which must be in or within a reasonable distance from the waste collection authority’s area), to Scottish Water or another person so specified;

b to give to Scottish Water from time to time a notice stating the quantity of the matter which the waste collection authority expects to deliver to or as directed by Scottish Water under the preceding paragraph during a period specified in the notice.

5 Any question arising under paragraph (a) of the preceding subsection as to whether a place is within a reasonable distance from a waste collection authority’s area shall, in default of agreement between the waste collection authority and Scottish Water in question, be determined by a single arbiter appointed, in default of agreement between the parties concerned, by the Secretary of State on the application of any of the parties; and anything delivered to Scottish Water under that subsection shall belong to Scottish Water and may be dealt with accordingly.

5A ^F330. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 This section applies to Scotland only.

^F85254 Special provisions for land occupied by disposal authorities: Scotland.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I1555 Powers for recycling waste.¶

1 This section has effect for conferring on waste disposal authorities and waste collection authorities powers for the purposes of recycling waste.

2 A waste disposal authority may—

a make arrangements ^F537. . . to recycle waste as respects which the authority has duties under section 51(1) above or agrees with another person for its disposal or treatment;

b make arrangements ^F537. . . to use waste for the purpose of producing from it heat or electricity or both;

c buy or otherwise acquire waste with a view to its being recycled;

d use, sell or otherwise dispose of waste as respects which the authority has duties under section 51(1) above or anything produced from such waste.

3 A waste collection authority may—

a buy or otherwise acquire waste with a view to recycling it;

b use, or dispose of by way of sale or otherwise to another person, waste belonging to the authority or anything produced from such waste.

4 This section shall not apply to Scotland.

^I1656 Powers for recycling waste: Scotland.¶

1 Without prejudice to the powers of waste disposal authorities apart from this section, a waste disposal authority may—

a do such things as the authority considers appropriate for the purpose of—

i enabling waste belonging to the authority, or belonging to another person who requests the authority to deal with it under this section, to be recycled; or

ii enabling waste to be used for the purpose of producing from it heat or electricity or both;

b buy or otherwise acquire waste with a view to its being recycled;

c use, sell or otherwise dispose of waste belonging to the authority or anything produced from such waste.

2 This section applies to Scotland only.

^I17^C2657 Power of Secretary of State to require waste to be accepted, treated, disposed of or delivered.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, by notice in writing, direct the holder of any environmental permit authorising a waste operation to accept and keep, or accept and treat or dispose of, waste at specified places on specified terms.

2 The Secretary of State may, by notice in writing, direct any person who is keeping waste on any land to deliver the waste to a specified person on specified terms ^F1183....

2A The appropriate Minister may, by notice in writing—

a direct a registered waste carrier to collect waste which is being kept on specified land and deliver it to a specified person on specified terms;

b direct any person who—

i is keeping waste on any land, or

ii owns or occupies land on which waste is being kept,

to facilitate collection of the waste by a specified registered waste carrier to whom a direction in respect of the waste is given under paragraph (a).

3 A direction under this section may impose a requirement as respects waste of any specified kind or as respects any specified consignment of waste.

4 A direction under subsection (2) above may require the person who is directed to deliver the waste to pay to the specified person his reasonable costs in relation to the waste.

4A A direction under subsection (2A)(b) may require the person to whom it is given—

a to pay to the specified registered waste carrier the reasonable costs of collecting and delivering the waste;

b to pay to the specified person to whom the waste is delivered (“P”) the reasonable costs incurred by P in relation to the waste (including any costs P is required by a direction under this section to pay to another person).

5 A person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a direction under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

6 A person shall not be guilty of an offence under any other enactment prescribed by the Secretary of State by regulations made for the purposes of this subsection by reason only of anything necessarily done or omitted in order to comply with a direction under this section.

7 The Secretary of State may pay any costs mentioned in subsection (4).

7A The appropriate Minister may pay any costs mentioned in subsection (4A).

8 In this section—

“appropriate Minister” means—
1. the Secretary of State, in relation to waste being kept on land in England, and
2. the Welsh Ministers, in relation to waste being kept on land in Wales;
“registered waste carrier” means a person registered under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 as a carrier of controlled waste;
“specified” means specified in a direction under this section; and
“waste” means anything that is waste within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the Waste Framework Directive , as read with Articles 5 and 6 of that Directive, including anything excluded from the scope of that Directive by Article 2(1)(f) or 2(2)(b) or (c), but not including anything excluded by the remainder of that Article

58 Power of Secretary of State to require waste to be accepted, treated, disposed of or delivered: Scotland.¶

In relation to Scotland, the Secretary of State may give directions to a waste disposal authority to accept and keep, or accept and treat or dispose of, controlled waste at specified places on specified terms; and it shall be the duty of the authority to give effect to the directions.

^C105^C26859 Powers to require removal of waste unlawfully deposited.¶

1 If any controlled waste or extractive waste is deposited in or on any land in the area of a waste regulation authority or waste collection authority in contravention of section 33(1) above or regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, the authority may, by notice served on him, require the occupier to do either or both of the following, that is—

a to remove the waste from the land within a specified period not less than a period of twenty-one days beginning with the service of the notice;

b to take within such a period specified steps with a view to eliminating or reducing the consequences of the deposit of the waste.

1A A waste regulation authority or waste collection authority may only impose a requirement under subsection (1) on an occupier of land if the authority is satisfied that the occupier—

a deposited the waste, or

b knowingly caused or knowingly permitted the deposit of the waste.

2 A person on whom any requirements are imposed under subsection (1) above may, within the period of twenty-one days mentioned in that subsection, appeal against the requirement to a magistrates’ court or, in Scotland, to the sheriff by way of summary applicationthe Scottish Ministers.

3 On any appeal under subsection (2) above the court or the Scottish Ministers (as the case may be) shall quash the requirement if it is or they are satisfied that—

a the appellant neither deposited nor knowingly caused nor knowingly permitted the deposit of the waste; or

b there is a material defect in the notice;

and in any other case shall either modify the requirement or dismiss the appeal.

4 Where a person appeals against any requirement imposed under subsection (1) above, the requirement shall be of no effect pending the determination of the appeal; and where the court or the Scottish Ministers (as the case may be) modifies the requirement or dismisses the appeal it or they may extend the period specified in the notice.

5 If a person on whom a requirement imposed under subsection (1) above fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the requirement he shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and to a further fine of an amount equal to one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale for each day on which the failure continues after conviction of the offence and before the authority has begun to exercise its powers under subsection (6) below.

6 Where a person on whom a requirement has been imposed under subsection (1) above by an authority fails to comply with the requirement the authority may do what that person was required to do and may recover from him any expenses reasonably incurred by the authority in doing it.

7 If it appears to a waste regulation authority or waste collection authority that waste has been deposited in or on any land in contravention of section 33(1) above or regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, and that—

a in order to remove or prevent pollution of land, water or air or harm to human health it is necessary that the waste be forthwith removed or other steps taken to eliminate or reduce the consequences of the deposit or both; or

b there is no occupier of the land or the occupier cannot be found without the authority incurring unreasonable expense; or

c the occupier neither made nor knowingly permitted the deposit of the waste;

the authority may remove the waste from the land or take other steps to eliminate or reduce the consequences of the deposit or, as the case may require, to remove the waste and take those steps.

8 Where an authority exercises any of the powers conferred on it by subsection (7) above it shall be entitled to recover the cost incurred by it in removing the waste or taking the steps or both and in disposing of the waste—

a in a case falling within subsection (7)(a) above, from the occupier of the land unless he proves that he neither made nor knowingly caused nor knowingly permitted the deposit of the waste;

b in any case, from any person who deposited or knowingly caused or knowingly permitted the deposit of any of the waste;

except such of the cost as the occupier or that person shows was incurred unnecessarily.

8A An authority may not recover costs under subsection (8) above if a compensation order (within the meaning given by section 133 of the Sentencing Code) has been made in favour of the authority in respect of any part of those costs.

8B Subsection (8A) does not apply if the order is set aside on appeal.

8C An authority may not recover costs under subsection (8) above if a compensation order has been made under section 249 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in favour of the authority in respect of any part of those costs.

8D Subsection (8C) does not apply if the compensation order is set aside on appeal.

9 Any waste removed by an authority under subsection (7) above shall belong to that authority and may be dealt with accordingly.

10 The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make further provision about appeals to them under subsection (2), including—

a provision about the manner in which appeals are to be brought,

b provision about the manner in which appeals are to be considered,

c transitional, transitory or saving provision.

11 The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance for waste regulation authorities and waste collection authorities on the operation of this section.

12 Waste regulation authorities and waste collection authorities must have regard to any guidance issued under subsection (11).

13 This section is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegating or referring of appeals etc).

59ZA Section 59: supplementary power in relation to owner of land¶

1 Where the grounds in subsection (2), (3) or (4) below are met, a waste regulation authority or waste collection authority may, by notice served on him, require the owner of any land in its area to comply with either or both of the requirements mentioned in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of section 59 above.

2 The grounds in this subsection are that it appears to the authority that waste has been deposited in or on the land in contravention of section 33(1) above or regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, and—

a there is no occupier of the land, or

b the occupier cannot be found without the authority incurring unreasonable expense.

3 The grounds in this subsection are that—

a the authority has served a notice under subsection (1) of section 59 above imposing a requirement on the occupier of the land,

b the occupier of the land is not the same person as the owner of the land, and

c the occupier has failed to comply with the requirement mentioned in paragraph (a) above within the period specified in the notice.

4 The grounds in this subsection are that—

a the authority has served a notice under subsection (1) of section 59 above imposing a requirement on the occupier of the land,

b the occupier of the land is not the same person as the owner of the land, and

c the requirement mentioned in paragraph (a) above has been quashed on the ground specified in subsection (3)(a) of that section.

5 Subsections (2) to (6) of section 59 above apply in relation to requirements imposed under this section on the owner of the land as they apply in relation to requirements imposed under that section on the occupier of the land but as if in subsection (3) there were inserted after paragraph (a)—

6 In this section “owner” has the meaning given to it in section 78A(9) below.

59ZB Powers to require removal of waste unlawfully kept or disposed of: England and Wales¶

1 Subsection (2) applies if any controlled waste or extractive waste is kept or disposed of in or on any land in the area of an authority in contravention of section 33(1) or regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

2 The authority may, by notice served on the occupier, require the occupier to do one or both of the following—

a remove the waste from the land within a specified period of not less than 21 days beginning with the service of the notice;

b take within such a period specified steps with a view to eliminating or reducing the consequences of the keeping or disposal of the waste.

3 A person on whom a requirement is imposed under subsection (2) may, within 21 days beginning with the service of the notice, appeal against the requirement to a magistrates’ court.

4 On any appeal under subsection (3), the court must quash the requirement if it is satisfied that—

a the appellant did not keep or dispose of, or knowingly cause or knowingly permit the keeping or disposal of, the waste, or

b there is a material defect in the notice,

and in any other case may modify the requirement or dismiss the appeal.

5 Where a person appeals against a requirement imposed under subsection (2), the requirement has no effect pending the determination of the appeal; and where the court modifies the requirement or dismisses the appeal it may extend the period specified in the notice.

6 If a person on whom a requirement imposed under subsection (2) fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the requirement, that person is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine.

7 Where a person on whom a requirement has been imposed under subsection (2) by an authority fails to comply with the requirement, the authority may do what that person was required to do and may recover from that person any expenses reasonably incurred by the authority in doing it.

8 If it appears to an authority that controlled waste or extractive waste has been kept or disposed of in or on any land in the authority’s area in contravention of section 33(1) or regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, and that—

a in order to remove or prevent pollution of land, water or air or harm to human health, it is necessary that the waste be forthwith removed, or that steps are taken to eliminate or reduce the consequences of the keeping or disposal, or both,

b there is no occupier of the land or the occupier cannot be found without the authority incurring unreasonable expense, or

c the occupier did not keep or dispose of, or knowingly cause or knowingly permit the keeping or disposal of, the waste,

the authority may remove the waste from the land, or take steps to eliminate or reduce the consequences of the keeping or disposal of the waste, or both.

9 Where an authority exercises any of the powers conferred on it by subsection (8), it is entitled to recover the cost incurred by it in removing the waste or taking the steps or both, and in disposing of the waste—

a in a case falling within subsection (8)(a), from the occupier of the land, unless the occupier proves that the occupier did not keep or dispose of, or knowingly cause or knowingly permit the keeping or disposal of, the waste,

b in any case, from any person who kept or disposed of, or knowingly caused or knowingly permitted the keeping or disposal of, the waste,

except such of the cost as the occupier or that person shows was incurred unnecessarily.

10 An authority may not recover costs under subsection (9) if a compensation order (within the meaning given by section 133 of the Sentencing Code) has been made in favour of the authority in respect of any part of those costs.

11 Subsection (10) does not apply if the compensation order is set aside on appeal.

12 Any waste removed by an authority under subsection (8) belongs to that authority and may be dealt with accordingly.

13 Subsections (2) and (8) do not apply in relation to household waste from a domestic property which is kept or disposed of within the curtilage of that property by a person other than an establishment or undertaking.

14 In this section and section 59ZC, “authority” means—

a a waste regulation authority in England or Wales, or

b a waste collection authority in England or Wales.

59ZC Section 59ZB: supplementary power in relation to owner of land¶

1 Where the grounds in subsection (2) or (3) are met, an authority may, by notice served on the owner of any land in its area, require the owner to comply with one or both of the requirements mentioned in section 59ZB(2)(a) or (b).

2 The grounds in this subsection are that it appears to the authority that controlled waste or extractive waste has been kept or disposed of in or on the land in contravention of section 33(1) or regulation 12 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, and—

a there is no occupier of the land, or

b the occupier cannot be found without the authority incurring unreasonable expense.

3 The grounds in this subsection are that—

a the authority has served a notice under section 59ZB(2) imposing a requirement on the occupier of the land,

b the occupier of the land is not the same person as the owner of the land, and

c either—

i the occupier has failed to comply with the requirement mentioned in paragraph (a) within the period specified in the notice, or

ii the requirement mentioned in paragraph (a) has been quashed on the ground specified in section 59ZB(4)(a).

4 Section 59ZB(3) to (7) apply in relation to a requirement imposed under this section on the owner of the land as they apply in relation to a requirement imposed under that section on the occupier of land but as if in section 59ZB(4) there were inserted after paragraph (a)—

5 Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to household waste from a domestic property which is kept or disposed of within the curtilage of that property by a person other than an establishment or undertaking.

6 In this section, “owner” has the meaning given by section 78A(9).

59A Directions in relation to exercise of powers under section 59 , 59ZA, 59ZB or 59ZC¶

1 The Secretary of State may issue directions setting out categories of waste to which a waste regulation authority or waste collection authority in England and Wales should give priority for the purposes of exercising its powers under section 59 , 59ZA, 59ZB or 59ZC above.

2 Priorities set out in directions under subsection (1) above may be different for different authorities or areas.

3 But nothing in this section or in any directions issued under it affects any power of an authority under section 59 , 59ZA, 59ZB or 59ZC above.

4 A waste regulation authority shall publicise any direction given to it under subsection (1) above in such manner as it considers appropriate.

^I18^E5060 Interference with waste sites and receptacles for waste.¶

1 No person shall sort over or disturb—

a anything deposited at a place for the deposit of waste provided by a waste collection authority, by or under arrangements made with a waste disposal authority or by any other local authority or person ;

b anything deposited in a receptacle for waste, whether for public or private use, provided by a waste collection authority, by or under arrangements made with a waste disposal authority, by a parish or community council or by a holder of a waste management licence; or

c the contents of any receptacle for waste which, in accordance with a requirement under section 46 or 47 above, is placed on any highway or, in Scotland, road or in any other place with a view to its being emptied;

unless he has the relevant consent or right to do so specified in subsection (2) below.

2 The consent or right that is relevant for the purposes of subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) above is—

a in the case of paragraph (a), the consent of the authority ^F547. . . or other person who provides the place for the deposit of the waste;

b in the case of paragraph (b), the consent of the authority ^F547. . . or other person who provides the receptacle for the deposit of the waste;

c in the case of paragraph (c), the right to the custody of the receptacle, the consent of the person having the right to the custody of the receptacle or the right conferred by the function by or under this Part of emptying such receptacles.

3 A person who contravenes subsection (1) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of an amount not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

^F9561 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

Waste reduction schemes¶

60A Waste reduction schemes¶

A waste collection authority whose area is in England may make a waste reduction scheme in accordance with Schedule 2AA to this Act.

Special waste Hazardous waste and non-controlled waste¶

^E162 Special provision with respect to certain dangerous or intractable waste.¶

1 If the Secretary of State considers that controlled waste of any kind is or may be so dangerous or difficult to treat, keep or dispose of that special provision is required for dealing with it he shall make provision by regulations for the treatment, keeping or disposal of waste of that kind (“special waste”).

2 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the regulations may include provision—

a for the giving of directions by waste regulation authorities with respect to matters connected with the treatment, keeping or disposal of special waste;

b for securing that special waste is not, while awaiting treatment or disposal in pursuance of the regulations, kept at any one place in quantities greater than those which are prescribed and in circumstances which differ from those which are prescribed;

c in connection with requirements imposed on consignors or consignees of special waste, imposing, in the event of non-compliance, requirements on any person carrying the consignment to re-deliver it as directed;

d for requiring the occupier of premises on which special waste is situated to give notice of that fact and other prescribed information to a prescribed authority;

e for the keeping of records by waste regulation authorities and by persons who import, export, produce, keep, treat or dispose of special waste or deliver it to another person for treatment or disposal, for the inspection of the records and for the furnishing by such persons to waste regulation authorities of copies of or information derived from the records;

f for the keeping in the register under section 64(1) below under regulation 38 of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 of copies of such of those records, or such information derived from those records, as may be prescribed;

g providing that a contravention of the regulations shall be an offence and prescribing the maximum penalty for the offence, which shall not exceed, on summary conviction, a fine at level 5 on the standard scale and, on conviction on indictment, imprisonment for a term of two years or a fine or both.

3 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the regulations may include provision—

a for the supervision by waste regulation authorities—

i of activities authorised by virtue of the regulations or of activities by virtue of carrying on which persons are subject to provisions of the regulations, or

ii of persons who carry on activities authorised by virtue of the regulations or who are subject to provisions of the regulations,

and for the recovery from persons falling within sub-paragraph (ii) above of the costs incurred by waste regulation authorities in performing functions conferred upon those authorities by the regulations;

b as to the recovery of expenses or other charges for the treatment, keeping or disposal or the re-delivery of special waste in pursuance of the regulations;

^C27c as to appeals to the Secretary of State from decisions of waste regulation authorities under the regulations.

3A This section is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).

4 In the application of this section to Northern Ireland “waste regulation authority” means the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

62ZA Special provision with respect to hazardous waste in England and Wales¶

1 The relevant national authority may, by regulations, make provision for, about or connected with the regulation of hazardous waste in England and Wales.

2 Provision that may be made in the regulations includes provision—

a prohibiting or restricting any activity in relation to hazardous waste;

b for the giving of directions by waste regulation authorities with respect to matters connected with any activity in relation to hazardous waste;

c imposing requirements about how hazardous waste may be kept (including requirements about the quantities of hazardous waste which may be kept at any place);

d about hazardous waste that originated outside England or Wales;

e about the registration of hazardous waste controllers or places where activities in relation to hazardous waste are carried out;

f for the keeping of records by hazardous waste controllers;

g for the inspection of those records by waste regulation authorities or specified persons;

h for the provision by hazardous waste controllers of copies of, or information derived from, those records to waste regulation authorities or specified persons;

i for hazardous waste controllers to inform waste regulation authorities, or specified persons, when carrying out activities in relation to hazardous waste;

j about the circumstances in which waste which is not hazardous waste, but which shares characteristics with hazardous waste, is to be treated as hazardous waste;

k for, about or connected with criminal offences;

l for, about or connected with the imposition of civil sanctions.

3 The regulations may not provide for an offence to be punishable—

a on summary conviction, by imprisonment, or

b on conviction on indictment, by a term of imprisonment exceeding two years.

4 For the purposes of this section “civil sanction” means a sanction of a kind for which provision may be made under Part 3 of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (fixed monetary penalties, discretionary requirements, stop notices and enforcement undertakings).

5 The regulations may make provision for, about or connected with the imposition of a sanction of that kind whether or not—

a the conduct in respect of which the sanction is imposed constitutes an offence, or

b the person imposing it is a regulator for the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

6 The regulations may also include provision—

a for the supervision by waste regulation authorities—

i of activities in relation to hazardous waste, or

ii of hazardous waste controllers;

b about the keeping of records (which may include registers of hazardous waste controllers and places where hazardous waste may be kept or processed) by waste regulation authorities;

c as to the recovery of expenses or other charges for the treatment, keeping or disposal or the re-delivery of hazardous waste by waste regulation authorities or hazardous waste controllers;

d as to appeals to the relevant national authority from decisions of waste regulation authorities.

7 This section is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).

8 Regulations under this section may confer functions (including functions involving the exercise of a discretion) on the relevant national authority or a waste regulation authority.

9 The regulations may—

a make different provision for different purposes;

b make incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional or saving provision.

10 For the purposes of this section “mixing” in relation to hazardous waste means—

a diluting it (with any substance);

b mixing it with other hazardous waste of a different type, or that has different characteristics;

c mixing it with any other substance or material (whether waste or not).

11 In this section—

“activity”, in relation to hazardous waste, includes—
1. keeping, collecting, receiving, importing, exporting, transporting or producing hazardous waste;
2. sorting, treating, recovering, mixing or otherwise processing hazardous waste;
3. disposing of hazardous waste in any manner (including providing hazardous waste to another person for the purposes of that person carrying out an activity in relation to it);
4. examining, testing or classifying hazardous waste (including doing any of those things to waste in connection with establishing whether it is hazardous);
5. acting as a broker of, or dealer in, hazardous waste;
6. directing or supervising another person in relation to an activity in relation to hazardous waste;
“hazardous waste controller” means a person who carries out any activity in relation to hazardous waste;
“relevant national authority” means—
1. in relation to England, the Secretary of State;
2. in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;
“specified” means specified in the regulations.

^F87562A Lists of waste displaying hazardous properties¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I1963 Waste other than controlled waste.¶

^C106^C1071 The Secretary of State may, after consultation with such bodies as he considers appropriate, make regulations providing that prescribed provisions of this Part shall have effect in a prescribed area—

a as if references in those provisions to controlled waste or controlled waste of a kind specified in the regulations included references to such waste as is mentioned in section 75(7)(c) below which is of a kind so specified; and

b with such modifications as may be prescribed;

and the regulations may make such modifications of other enactments as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

^F11952 A person who deposits, or knowingly causes or knowingly permits the deposit of, any waste—

a which is not controlled waste, but

b which, if it were controlled waste, would be special waste,

in a case where he would be guilty of an offence under section 33 above if the waste were special waste and any waste management licence were not in force, shall, subject to subsection (3) below, be guilty of that offence and punishable as if the waste were special waste.

3 No offence is committed by virtue of subsection (2) above if the act charged was done under and in accordance with any consent, licence, approval or authority granted under any enactment (excluding any planning permission under the enactments relating to town and country planning).

4 Section 45(2) and section 47(1) above shall apply to waste other than controlled waste as they apply to controlled waste.

5 In this section, “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Powers of waste collection authority or waste disposal authority in relation to generation of controlled waste¶

^F10063A Power to take steps to minimise generation of controlled waste.¶

1 A relevant authority may do, or arrange for the doing of, or contribute towards the expenses of the doing of, anything which in its opinion is necessary or expedient for the purpose of minimising the quantities of controlled waste, or controlled waste of any description, generated in its area.

2 Where a relevant authority in England (“the first authority”) proposes to exercise any of its powers under subsection (1), it shall before doing so consult about the proposal every other relevant authority whose area includes all or part of the area of the first authority.

3 In this section “relevant authority” means a waste collection authority or a waste disposal authority.

Publicity¶

^I2064 Public registers.¶

1 Subject to sections 65 and 66 below, it shall be the duty of each waste regulation authority to maintain a register containing prescribed particulars of or relating to—

a current or recently current licences (“licences”) granted by the authority;

b current or recently current applications to the authority for licences;

c applications made to the authority under section 37 above for the modification of licences;

d notices issued by the authority under section 37 above effecting the modification of licences;

e notices issued by the authority under section 38 above effecting the revocation or suspension of licences or imposing requirements on the holders of licences;

f appeals under section 43 above relating to decisions of the authority;

g certificates of completion issued by the authority under section 39(9) above;

h notices issued by the authority imposing requirements on the holders of licences under section 42(5) above;

i convictions of the holders of licences granted by the authority for any offence under this Part (whether in relation to a licence so granted or not);

j the occasions on which the authority has discharged any function under section 42 or 61 above;

k directions given to the authority under any provision of this Part by the Secretary of State;

^F101l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

m such matters relating to the treatment, keeping or disposal of waste in the area of the authority or any pollution of the environment caused thereby as may be prescribed;

and any other document or information required to be kept in the register under any provision of this Act.

2 Where information of any description is excluded from any register by virtue of section 66 below, a statement shall be entered in the register indicating the existence of information of that description.

2A The Secretary of State may give to a waste regulation authority directions requiring the removal from any register of its of any specified information not prescribed for inclusion under subsection (1) above or which, by virtue of section 65 or 66 below, ought to be excluded from the register.

3 For the purposes of subsection (1) above licences are “recently” current for the period of twelve months after they cease to be in force and applications for licences are “recently” current if they relate to a licence which is current or recently current or, in the case of an application which is rejected, for the period of twelve months beginning with the date on which the waste regulation authority gives notice of rejection or, as the case may be, on which the application is deemed by section 36(9) above to have been rejected.

4 It shall be the duty of each waste collection authority in England or Wales. . . to maintain a register containing prescribed particulars of such information contained in any register maintained under subsection (1) above as relates to the treatment, keeping or disposal of controlled waste in the area of the authority.

5 The waste regulation authority in relation to England and Wales shall furnish any waste collection authorities in its area with the particulars necessary to enable them to discharge their duty under subsection (4) above.

6 Each waste regulation authority and waste collection authority

(a)shall secure that any register maintained under this section is open to inspection ^F106. . . by members of the public free of charge at all reasonable hours and
(b)shall afford to members of the public reasonable facilities for obtaining, on payment of reasonable charges, copies of entries in the register

and, for the purposes of this subsection, places may be prescribed by the Secretary of State at which any such registers or facilities as are mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above are to be available or afforded to the public in pursuance of the paragraph in question.

7 Registers under this section may be kept in any form.

8 In this section “prescribed” means prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of State.

^I2165 Exclusion from registers of information affecting national security.¶

^C281 No information shall be included in a register maintained under section 64 above (a “register”) if and so long as, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the inclusion in the register of that information, or information of that description, would be contrary to the interests of national security.

2 The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of securing the exclusion from registers of information to which subsection (1) above applies, give to the authorities maintaining registers directions—

a specifying information, or descriptions of information, to be excluded from their registers; or

b specifying descriptions of information to be referred to the Secretary of State for his determination;

and no information referred to the Secretary of State in pursuance of paragraph (b) above shall be included in any such register until the Secretary of State determines that it should be so included.

3 An authority maintaining a register shall notify the Secretary of State of any information it excludes from the register in pursuance of directions under subsection (2) above.

4 A person may, as respects any information which appears to him to be information to which subsection (1) above may apply, give a notice to the Secretary of State specifying the information and indicating its apparent nature; and, if he does so—

a he shall notify the authority concerned that he has done so; and

b no information so notified to the Secretary of State shall be included in the register kept by that authority until the Secretary of State has determined that it should be so included.

^I2266 Exclusion from registers of certain confidential information.¶

1 No information relating to the affairs of any individual or business shall be included in a register maintained under section 64 above (a “register”), without the consent of that individual or the person for the time being carrying on that business, if and so long as the information—

a is, in relation to him, commercially confidential; and

b is not required to be included in the register in pursuance of directions under subsection (7) below;

but information is not commercially confidential for the purposes of this section unless it is determined under this section to be so by the authority maintaining the register or, on appeal, by the Secretary of State.

2 Where information is furnished to an authority maintaining a register for the purpose of—

a an application for, or for the modification of, a licence;

b complying with any condition of a licence; or

c complying with a notice under section 71(2) below;

3 A determination under subsection (2) above must be made within the period of fourteen days beginning with the date of the application and if the authority fails to make a determination within that period it shall be treated as having determined that the information is commercially confidential.

4 Where it appears to an authority maintaining a register that any information (other than information furnished in circumstances within subsection (2) above) which has been obtained by the authority under or by virtue of any provision of this Part might be commercially confidential, the authority shall—

a give to the person to whom or whose business it relates notice that that information is required to be included in the register unless excluded under this section; and

b give him a reasonable opportunity—

i of objecting to the inclusion of the information on the grounds that it is commercially confidential; and

ii of making representations to the authority for the purpose of justifying any such objection;

and, if any representations are made, the authority shall, having taken the representations into account, determine whether the information is or is not commercially confidential.

^C295 Where, under subsection (2) or (4) above, an authority determines that information is not commercially confidential—

a the information shall not be entered in the register until the end of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date on which the determination is notified to the person concerned;

b that person may appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision;

6 Subsections (2) and (8) of section 43 above shall apply in relation to appeals under subsection (5) above as they apply in relation to appeals under that section; but

a subsection (2)(c) of that section shall have effect for the purposes of this subsection with the substitution for the words from “(which may” onwards of the words “(which must be held in private)”; and

b subsection (5) above is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).

7 The Secretary of State may give to the authorities maintaining registers directions as to specified information, or descriptions of information, which the public interest requires to be included in the registers notwithstanding that the information may be commercially confidential.

9 Subsections (5) and (6) above shall apply in relation to a determination under subsection (8) above as they apply in relation to a determination under subsection (2) or (4) above.

10 The Secretary of State may, by order, substitute for the period for the time being specified in subsection (3) above such other period as he considers appropriate.

^F10967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

Supervision and enforcement¶

^F11068 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F11169 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F11270 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^I23^C3071 Obtaining of information from persons and authorities.¶

^F1131 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^C31^C277^C2952 For the purpose of the discharge of their respective functions under this Part—

a the Secretary of State, and

b a waste regulation authority,

may, by notice in writing served on him, require any person to furnish such information specified in the notice as the Secretary of State or the authority, as the case may be, reasonably considers he or it needs, in such form and within such period following service of the notice , or at such time, as is so specified.

2A A waste collection authority has the power referred to in subsection (2) for the purpose of the discharge of its functions under sections 34B and 34C above.

^C31^C277^C2953 A person who—

a fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement imposed under subsection (2) or (2A) above; ^F115. . .

^F116b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall be liable—

i on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

ii on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

4 The Secretary of State may, by notice in writing, require a waste regulation authority or waste collection authority in England and Wales to supply to him, or to such other person as may be specified in the notice, such information as may be so specified in respect of—

a cases where the authority has exercised any powers under section 59 , 59ZA, 59ZB or 59ZC above, and

b cases where the authority has taken action under any other enactment in respect of any deposit or other disposal of controlled waste in contravention of section 33(1) above.

^F9775 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F8726 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71A Information from authorities on unauthorised or harmful deposit, treatment or disposal etc. of waste: Scotland¶

1 The Scottish Ministers may require a relevant authority to provide them with such information as Ministers may specify about—

a cases where the authority has exercised any of its functions under section 59, and

b cases where the authority has exercised any of its functions in respect of any contravention of section 33(1)(a) or (c).

2 In requiring information under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers may specify—

a the period to which the information is to relate, and

b the date by which the relevant authority is to provide the information.

3 The information required by Ministers under subsection (1) may include, in particular—

a the number of contraventions of section 33(1)(a) or (c) reported to the relevant authority,

b the location of contraventions of section 33(1)(a) or (c) reported to the authority,

c what action (if any) has been taken by the authority in response to the reported contraventions,

d the number of fixed penalty notices issued by the authority under section 33A in response to the reported contraventions,

e the number of fixed penalties paid in response to such notices, and

f the number of reports made by the authority of offences under section 33(1)(a) or (c).

4 The Scottish Ministers may not exercise their power under subsection (1) in relation to a particular relevant authority more than once in any period of 12 months.

5 In this section, “relevant authority” means—

a in relation to functions under section 59, a waste collection authority,

b in relation to functions in respect of contraventions of section 33(1)(a) or (c)—

i a local authority,

ii Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, or

iii a person specified by order made by the Scottish Ministers under section 33A(13).

^F11772 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

Supplemental¶

^I24^E273 Appeals and other provisions relating to legal proceedings and civil liability.¶

1 An appeal against any decision of a magistrates’ court under this Part (other than a decision made in criminal proceedings) shall lie to the Crown Court at the instance of any party to the proceedings in which the decision was given if such an appeal does not lie to the Crown Court by virtue of any other enactment.

2 In Scotland an appeal against any decision of the sheriff under this Part (other than a decision made in criminal proceedings) shall lie to the Court of Session at the instance of any party to the proceedings in which the decision was given if such an appeal does not lie to the Court of Session by virtue of any other enactment.

3 Where a person appeals to the Crown Court or the Court of Session against a decision of a magistrates’ court or the sheriff dismissing an appeal against any requirement imposed under this Part which was suspended pending determination of that appeal, the requirement shall again be suspended pending the determination of the appeal to the Crown Court or Court of Session.

4 Where an appeal against a decision of any authority lies to a magistrates’ court or to the sheriff by virtue of any provision of this Part, it shall be the duty of the authority to include in any document by which it notifies the decision to the person concerned a statement indicating that such an appeal lies and specifying the time within which it must be brought.

5 Where on an appeal to any court against or arising out of a decision of any authority under this Part the court varies or reverses the decision it shall be the duty of the authority to act in accordance with the court’s decision.

6 Where any damage is caused by waste which has been deposited in or on land, any person who deposited it, or knowingly caused or knowingly permitted it to be deposited, in either case so as to commit an offence under section 33(1) or 63(2) above, is liable for the damage except where the damage—

a was due wholly to the fault of the person who suffered it; or

b was suffered by a person who voluntarily accepted the risk of the damage being caused;

but without prejudice to any liability arising otherwise than under this subsection.

7 The matters which may be proved by way of defence under section 33(7) above may be proved also by way of defence to an action brought under subsection (6) above.

8 In subsection (6) above—

“damage” includes the death of, or injury to, any person (including any disease and any impairment of physical or mental condition); and
“fault” has the same meaning as in the ^M23Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945.

9 For the purposes of the following enactments—

a the ^M24Fatal Accidents Act 1976;

b the Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945; and

c the ^M25Limitation Act 1980;

and for the purposes of any action of damages in Scotland arising out of the death of, or personal injury to, any person, any damage for which a person is liable under subsection (6) above shall be treated as due to his fault.

10 In subsection (2) above, “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

73ZA Use of fixed penalty receipts: England¶

1 The Environment Agency must pay amounts received by it under section 34ZA or 34A to the Secretary of State.

2 A waste collection authority may use its fixed penalty receipts under section 33ZA or 34ZA only for the purposes of—

a the employment or engagement of its authorised officers, as defined in section 33ZA(12) or 34ZA(12), or any of the functions of those officers,

b its functions relating to offences under—

i section 33(6), to the extent that it relates to a contravention of section 33(1)(a) (deposit of controlled waste),

ii section 33ZA(7) (failure to give name or address in response to request from an authorised officer proposing to issue a fixed penalty notice),

iii section 34(6), to the extent that it relates to a contravention of section 34(2A) (duty to secure that transfer of household waste is only to an authorised person), or

iv section 34ZA(14) (failure to give name or address in response to request from an authorised officer proposing to issue a fixed penalty notice),

c its functions relating to the collection and disposal of controlled waste deposited in contravention of section 33(1)(a),

d its functions relating to the restoration of land following the deposit of controlled waste in contravention of section 33(1)(a), and

e such other of its functions as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

3 A waste collection authority may use its fixed penalty receipts under section 34A, 46A or 47ZA only for the purposes of—

a its functions under this Part (including functions relating to offences under this Part), and

b such other of its functions as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

4 Regulations under subsection (3)(b) may (in particular) have the effect that a waste collection authority may use its fixed penalty receipts under section 34A, 46A or 47ZA for the purposes of any of its functions.

5 A waste collection authority must supply the Secretary of State with such information relating to its use of its fixed penalty receipts as the Secretary of State may require.

6 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—

a about what a waste collection authority must do with its fixed penalty receipts pending the use of those receipts for the purposes referred to in subsection (2) or (3);

b about the period within which a waste collection authority must use those fixed penalty receipts for those purposes;

c about what a waste collection authority must do with those fixed penalty receipts that are not used for those purposes within that period;

d for accounting arrangements in respect of a waste collection authority’s fixed penalty receipts.

7 The provision that may be made under subsection (6)(c) includes (in particular) provision for the payment of sums to a person (including the Secretary of State) other than the waste collection authority.

8 Before making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult—

a the waste collection authorities to which the regulations are to apply;

b such other persons as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

9 Regulations under this section may make different provision for different purposes (including different provision in relation to different waste collection authorities or different descriptions of authority).

10 In this section—

“fixed penalty receipts”, in relation to a waste collection authority, are amounts received by the authority under section 33ZA, 34ZA, 34A, 46A or 47ZA;
“waste collection authority” means a waste collection authority in England.

73A Use of fixed penalty receipts : Wales ¶

^F8791 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1A The Natural Resources Body for Wales must pay amounts received by it under section 34ZB or 34A above to the Welsh Ministers.

2 A waste collection authority may use amounts received by it under section ^F903... 33ZB, ^F895... 34ZB, 34A^F940... or 47ZA above (its “fixed penalty receipts”) only for the purposes of—

a its functions under this Part (including functions relating to the enforcement of offences under this Part); and

b such other of its functions as may be specified in regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

3 Regulations under subsection (2)(b) above may (in particular) have the effect that a waste collection authority may use its fixed penalty receipts for the purposes of any of its functions.

4 A waste collection authority must supply the Welsh Ministers with such information relating to its use of its fixed penalty receipts as the Welsh Ministers may require.

5 The Welsh Ministers may by regulations—

a make provision for what a waste collection authority is to do with its fixed penalty receipts—

i pending their being used for the purposes of functions of the authority referred to in subsection (2) above;

ii if they are not so used before such time after their receipt as may be specified by the regulations;

b make provision for accounting arrangements in respect of a waste collection authority's fixed penalty receipts.

6 The provision that may be made under subsection (5)(a)(ii) above includes (in particular) provision for the payment of sums to a person (including the Welsh Ministers) other than the waste collection authority.

7 Before making regulations under this section, the Welsh Ministers must consult—

a the waste collection authorities to which the regulations are to apply;

b such other persons as the Welsh Ministers think fit.

8 Regulations under this section may make different provision for different purposes (including different provision in relation to different authorities or different descriptions of authority).

9 The powers to make regulations conferred by this section are, for the purposes of subsection (1) of section 100 of the Local Government Act 2003, to be regarded as included among the powers mentioned in subsection (2) of that section.

10 In this section, “waste collection authority” means a waste collection authority in Wales.

^F710^F112974 Meaning of “fit and proper person”.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^I25^E1875 Meaning of “waste” and household, commercial and industrial waste and hazardous waste.¶

1 The following provisions apply for the interpretation of this Part.

1A “Waste Framework Directive” means Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste, as last amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851 , and read in accordance with section 75A.

2 “Waste” means anything that is waste within the meaning of Article 3(1) of the Waste Framework Directive .

^F4213 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 “Controlled waste” means household, industrial and commercial waste or any such waste.

5 Subject to subsection (8) below, “household waste” means waste from—

a domestic property, that is to say, a building or self-contained part of a building which is used wholly for the purposes of living accommodation;

b a caravan (as defined in section 29(1) of the ^M26Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960) which usually and for the time being is situated on a caravan site (within the meaning of that Act);

c a residential home;

d premises forming part of a university or school or other educational establishment;

e premises forming part of a hospital or nursing home.

6 Subject to subsection (8) below, “industrial waste” means waste from any of the following premises—

a any factory (within the meaning of the ^M27Factories Act 1961);

b any premises used for the purposes of, or in connection with, the provision to the public of transport services by land, water or air;

c any premises used for the purposes of, or in connection with, the supply to the public of gas, water or electricity or the provision of sewerage services; ^F667. . .

d any premises used for the purposes of, or in connection with, the provision to the public of postal or telecommunications services; or

e any mine or quarry or any premises used for agriculture within the meaning of the Agriculture Act 1947

7 Subject to subsection (8) below, “commercial waste” means waste from premises used wholly or mainly for the purposes of a trade or business or the purposes of sport, recreation or entertainment excluding—

a household waste;

b industrial waste; and

c ^F670. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

d waste of any other description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this paragraph.

8 Regulations made by the Secretary of State may provide that waste of a description prescribed in the regulations shall be treated for the purposes of provisions of this Part prescribed in the regulations as being or not being household waste or industrial waste or commercial waste; ^F671. . . and references to waste in subsection (7) above and this subsection do not include sewage (including matter in or from a privy) except so far as the regulations provide otherwise.

8A In the application of this Part to England, “hazardous waste” means—

a any waste identified as hazardous waste in—

i the waste list as it applies in relation to England, or

ii regulations made by the Secretary of State under regulation 3 of the Waste and Environmental Permitting etc. (Legislative Functions and Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1540), and

b any other waste that is treated as hazardous waste for the purposes of—

i regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 62ZA, or

ii the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/894).

8B In the application of this Part to Wales, “hazardous waste” means—

a any waste identified as hazardous waste in—

i the waste list as it applies in relation to Wales, or

ii regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 3 of the Waste and Environmental Permitting etc. (Legislative Functions and Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1540), and

b any other waste that is treated as hazardous waste for the purposes of—

i regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 62ZA, or

ii the Hazardous Waste (Wales) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1806 (W.138)).

8C In subsections (8A) and (8B) “the waste list” means the list of waste contained in the Annex to Commission Decision of 3 May 2000 replacing Decision 94/3/EC establishing a list of wastes pursuant to Article 1(a) of Council Directive 75/442/EEC on waste and Council Decision 94/904/EC establishing a list of hazardous waste pursuant to Article 1(4) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste (2000/532/EC).

^F4209 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F81410 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F81411 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F81412 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

75A Modification of the Waste Framework Directive¶

1 For the purposes of this Part, the Waste Framework Directive is to be read in accordance with this section.

2 A reference to one or more member States in a provision of the Waste Framework Directive imposing an obligation or conferring a discretion on a member State or member States is to be read as a reference to the appropriate authority, waste regulation authority or local authority which, immediately before IP completion day, was responsible for the United Kingdom's compliance with that obligation or able to exercise that discretion in respect of England, Wales or Scotland.

3 Article 2 is to be read as if—

a in paragraph 2—

i in the words before point (a), for “other Community legislation” there were substituted “assimilated law”;

ii in points (b) and (c), for “Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002” there were substituted “ Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 ”;

iii in point (d), as it extends to England and Wales, for the words from “Directive 2006/21/EC” to the end there were substituted “ the Mining Waste Directive ”;

iv for point (d), as it extends to Scotland, there were substituted—

;

b in paragraph 3, the words from “Without prejudice” to “Community legislation,” were omitted;

c paragraph 4 were omitted.

4 Article 5 is to be read as if—

a in paragraph 1, “Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that” were omitted;

b after paragraph 1 there were inserted—

;

c paragraphs 2 and 3 were omitted.

5 Article 6 is to be read as if—

a in paragraph 1, “Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that” were omitted;

b after paragraph 1 there were inserted—

;

c in paragraph 2—

i the first subparagraph were omitted;

ii in the second subparagraph, for “Those detailed criteria” there were substituted “Any detailed criteria set out in guidance as referred to in paragraph 1A”;

iii the third and fourth subparagraphs were omitted;

d paragraph 3 were omitted;

e in paragraph 4—

i in the first subparagraph—

aa in the first sentence, for the words from the beginning to “Member State”, there were substituted “Where criteria have not been set out as referred to in paragraph 1A(a), the waste regulation authority”;

bb the second sentence were omitted;

ii in the second subparagraph—

aa for “Member States” there were substituted “The waste regulation authority”;

bb “by competent authorities” were omitted.

6 Article 7 is to be read as if—

a before paragraph 1 there were inserted—

;

b in paragraph 1—

i the first and second sentences were omitted;

ii for the third sentence there were substituted “The list of waste shall, except as provided in Commission Decision 2000/532/EC, be binding as regards determination of the waste which is to be considered as hazardous waste or as non-hazardous waste.”;

c paragraphs 2, 3, 6 and 7 were omitted.

7 Annex 3 is to be read as if, in entry HP 9, in the second sentence, “in the Member States” were omitted.

8 In this section—

“appropriate authority” means—
1. in relation to England, the Secretary of State;
2. in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers;
3. in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers;
“local authority” means—
1. in England outside Greater London—
  1. a district council,
  2. a county council, or
  3. the Council of the Isles of Scilly;
2. in Greater London—
  1. the council of a London borough,
  2. the Common Council of the City of London,
  3. the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple, or
  4. the Under-Treasurer of the Middle Temple;
3. in Wales—
  1. a county council, or
  2. a county borough council;
4. in Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

76 Application to the Isles of Scilly.¶

1 Subject to the provisions of any order under this section, this Part shall not apply in relation to the Isles of Scilly.

2 The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Council of the Isles of Scilly, by order provide for the application of any provisions of this Part to the Isles of Scilly; and any such order may provide for the application of those provisions to those Isles with such modifications as may be specified in the order.

3 An order under this section may—

a make different provision for different cases, including different provision in relation to different persons, circumstances or localities; and

b contain such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, including provision saving provision repealed by or under any enactment.

^I2777 Transition from Control of Pollution Act 1974 to this Part.¶

1 This section has effect for the purposes of the transition from the provisions of Part I of the ^M30Control of Pollution Act 1974 (“the 1974 Act”) to the corresponding provisions of this Part of this Act and in this section—

^F1135...
“existing disposal licence” means a disposal licence under section 5 of the 1974 Act subsisting on the day appointed under section 164(3) below for the repeal of sections 3 to 10 of the 1974 Act and “relevant appointed day for licences” shall be construed accordingly;
“existing disposal plan” means a plan under section 2 of the 1974 Act subsisting on the day appointed under section 164(3) below for the repeal of that section and “relevant appointed day for plans” shall be construed accordingly;
“relevant part of its undertaking”, in relation to an existing disposal authority, has the same meaning as in section 32 above; and
“the vesting date”, in relation to an existing disposal authority and its waste disposal contractors, means the vesting date under Schedule 2 to this Act.

^F9452 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F4833 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 Any existing disposal plan of an existing disposal authority shall, on and after the relevant appointed day for plans, be treated as the plan of that authority under section 50 above and that section shall accordingly have effect as if references in it to “the plan” included the existing disposal plan of that authority.

5 Subsection (4) above applies to Scotland and, for the purposes of that application, “existing disposal authority” means any authority constituted as a disposal authority for any area before the day appointed for this section to come into force and “that authority” means the waste disposal authority for that area under section 30(2) above.

6 Subject to subsection (7) below, as respects any existing disposal authority—

a the restriction imposed by section 51(1) of this Act on the means whereby the authority arranges for the disposal of controlled waste shall not apply to the authority—

i in the case of an authority which transfers the relevant part of its undertaking in accordance with a scheme under Schedule 2 to this Act, until the date which is the vesting date for that authority; and

ii in any other case, until the date on which the authority transfers, or ceases itself to carry on, the relevant part of its undertaking or ceases to provide places at which and plant and equipment by means of which controlled waste can be disposed of or deposited for the purposes of disposal; and

b on and after that date, section 14(4) of the 1974 Act shall not authorise the authority to arrange for the disposal of controlled waste except by means of arrangements made (in accordance with Part II of Schedule 2 to this Act) with waste disposal contractors.

7 The Secretary of State may, as respects any existing disposal authority, direct that the restriction imposed by section 51(1) above shall not apply in the case of that authority until such date as he specifies in the direction and where he does so paragraph (a) of subsection (6) above shall not apply and paragraph (b) shall be read as referring to the date so specified.

8 In section 14(4) of the 1974 Act, after the words “this subsection”, there shall be inserted the words “but subject to subsection (6) of section 77 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as respects any time after the date applicable to the authority under paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection”.

9 As respects any existing disposal authority, until the date which is, under subsection (6)(a) above, the date until which the restriction imposed by section 51(1) of this Act is disapplied,—

a the powers conferred on a waste disposal authority by section 55(2)(a) and (b) of this Act as respects the recycling of waste and the use of waste to produce heat or electricity shall be treated as powers which the authority may exercise itself; and

b the power conferred on a waste disposal authority by section 48(4) of this Act to object to a waste collection authority having waste recycled where the disposal authority has made arrangements with a waste disposal contractor for the contractor to recycle the waste shall be available to the waste disposal authority where it itself has the waste recycled.

^C109^C108^I28^E6378 This Part and radioactive substances.¶

Except as provided by regulations made by the Secretary of State under this section, nothing in this Part applies to radioactive waste within the meaning of the Schedule 23 to the Environmental Permitting Regulations (radioactive substances activities); but regulations may—

a provide for prescribed provisions of this Part to have effect with such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purposes of dealing with such radioactive waste;

b make such modifications of the Environmental Permitting Regulations in relation to such radioactive waste, and any Act or other enactment, as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

^C32^C324^C329^C333^C99Part IIA Contaminated Land¶

^I8378A Preliminary.¶

1 The following provisions have effect for the interpretation of this Part.

2 “Contaminated land” is any land which appears to the local authority in whose area it is situated to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that—

a significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused; or

b significant pollution of controlled waters is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such pollution being caused;

and, in determining whether any land appears to be such land, a local authority shall, subject to subsection (5) below, act in accordance with guidance issued by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 78YA below with respect to the manner in which that determination is to be made.

3 A “special site” is any contaminated land—

a which has been designated as such a site by virtue of section 78C(7) or 78D(6) below; and

b whose designation as such has not been terminated by the appropriate Agency under section 78Q(4) below.

4 “Harm” means harm to the health of living organisms or other interference with the ecological systems of which they form part and, in the case of man, includes harm to his property.

5 The questions—

a what harm or pollution of controlled waters is to be regarded as “significant”,

b whether the possibility of significant harm or of significant pollution of controlled waters being caused is “significant”,

^F991c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall be determined in accordance with guidance issued for the purpose by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 78YA below.

6 Without prejudice to the guidance that may be issued under subsection (5) above, guidance under paragraph (a) of that subsection may make provision for different degrees of importance to be assigned to, or for the disregard of,—

a different descriptions of living organisms or ecological systems, or of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or solid waste matter;

b different descriptions of places or controlled waters, or different degrees of pollution; or

c different descriptions of harm to health or property, or other interference;

and guidance under paragraph (b) of that subsection may make provision for different degrees of possibility to be regarded as “significant” (or as not being “significant”) in relation to different descriptions of significant harm or of significant pollution.

7 “Remediation” means—

a the doing of anything for the purpose of assessing the condition of—

i the contaminated land in question;

ii any controlled waters affected by that land; or

iii any land adjoining or adjacent to that land;

b the doing of any works, the carrying out of any operations or the taking of any steps in relation to any such land or waters for the purpose—

i of preventing or minimising, or remedying or mitigating the effects of, any significant harm, or any significant pollution of controlled waters, by reason of which the contaminated land is such land; or

ii of restoring the land or waters to their former state; or

c the making of subsequent inspections from time to time for the purpose of keeping under review the condition of the land or waters;

and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.

8 Controlled waters are “affected by” contaminated land if (and only if) it appears to the enforcing authority that the contaminated land in question is, for the purposes of subsection (2) above, in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that significant pollution of those waters is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such pollution being caused.

9 The following expressions have the meaning respectively assigned to them—

“the appropriate Agency” means—
1. in relation to England ^F800..., the Environment Agency;
2. in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency;
3. in relation to Wales, the Natural Resources Body for Wales;
“appropriate person” means any person who is an appropriate person, determined in accordance with section 78F below, to bear responsibility for any thing which is to be done by way of remediation in any particular case;
“charging notice” has the meaning given by section 78P(3)(b) below;
“controlled waters”—
1. in relation to England and Wales, has the same meaning as in Part III of the ^M32Water Resources Act 1991 except that “ground waters” does not include waters contained in underground strata but above the saturation zone; and
2. in relation to Scotland, has the same meaning as in section 30A of the ^M33Control of Pollution Act 1974;
“creditor” has the same meaning as in the ^M34Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970;
“enforcing authority” means—
1. in relation to a special site, the appropriate Agency;
2. in relation to contaminated land other than a special site, the local authority in whose area the land is situated;
“heritable security” has the same meaning as in the ^M35Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970;
“local authority” in relation to England and Wales means—
1. any unitary authority;
2. any district council, so far as it is not a unitary authority;
3. the Common Council of the City of London and, as respects the Temples, the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple and the Under-Treasurer of the Middle Temple respectively;
and in relation to Scotland means a council for an area constituted under section 2 of the ^M36Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;
“notice” means notice in writing;
“notification” means notification in writing;
“owner”, in relation to any land in England and Wales, means a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who, whether in his own right or as trustee for any other person, is entitled to receive the rack rent of the land, or, where the land is not let at a rack rent, would be so entitled if it were so let;
“owner”, in relation to any land in Scotland, means a person (other than a creditor in a heritable security not in possession of the security subjects) for the time being entitled to receive or who would, if the land were let, be entitled to receive, the rents of the land in connection with which the word is used and includes a trustee, factor, guardian or curator and in the case of public or municipal land includes the persons to whom the management of the land is entrusted;
“pollution of controlled waters” means the entry into controlled waters of any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or any solid waste matter;
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;
“regulations” means regulations made by the Secretary of State;
“remediation declaration” has the meaning given by section 78H(6) below;
“remediation notice” has the meaning given by section 78E(1) below;
“remediation statement” has the meaning given by section 78H(7) below;
“required to be designated as a special site” shall be construed in accordance with section 78C(8) below;
“substance” means any natural or artificial substance, whether in solid or liquid form or in the form of a gas or vapour;
“unitary authority” means—
1. the council of a county, so far as it is the council of an area for which there are no district councils;
2. the council of any district comprised in an area for which there is no county council;
3. the council of a London borough;
4. the council of a county borough in Wales.

^F12178B Identification of contaminated land.¶

1 Every local authority shall cause its area to be inspected from time to time for the purpose—

a of identifying contaminated land; and

b of enabling the authority to decide whether any such land is land which is required to be designated as a special site.

2 In performing its functions under subsection (1) above a local authority shall act in accordance with any guidance issued for the purpose by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 78YA below.

3 If a local authority identifies any contaminated land in its area, it shall give notice of that fact to—

a the appropriate Agency;

b the owner of the land;

c any person who appears to the authority to be in occupation of the whole or any part of the land; and

d each person who appears to the authority to be an appropriate person;

and any notice given under this subsection shall state by virtue of which of paragraphs (a) to (d) above it is given.

4 If, at any time after a local authority has given any person a notice pursuant to subsection (3)(d) above in respect of any land, it appears to the enforcing authority that another person is an appropriate person, the enforcing authority shall give notice to that other person—

a of the fact that the local authority has identified the land in question as contaminated land; and

b that he appears to the enforcing authority to be an appropriate person.

^F122^I8578C Identification and designation of special sites.¶

1 If at any time it appears to a local authority that any contaminated land in its area might be land which is required to be designated as a special site, the authority—

a shall decide whether or not the land is land which is required to be so designated; and

b if the authority decides that the land is land which is required to be so designated, shall give notice of that decision to the relevant persons.

2 For the purposes of this section, “the relevant persons” at any time in the case of any land are the persons who at that time fall within paragraphs (a) to (d) below, that is to say—

a the appropriate Agency;

b the owner of the land;

c any person who appears to the local authority concerned to be in occupation of the whole or any part of the land; and

d each person who appears to that authority to be an appropriate person.

3 Before making a decision under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above in any particular case, a local authority shall request the advice of the appropriate Agency, and in making its decision shall have regard to any advice given by that Agency in response to the request.

4 If at any time the appropriate Agency considers that any contaminated land is land which is required to be designated as a special site, that Agency may give notice of that fact to the local authority in whose area the land is situated.

5 Where notice under subsection (4) above is given to a local authority, the authority shall decide whether the land in question—

a is land which is required to be designated as a special site, or

b is not land which is required to be so designated,

and shall give notice of that decision to the relevant persons.

6 Where a local authority makes a decision falling within subsection (1)(b) or (5)(a) above, the decision shall, subject to section 78D below, take effect on the day after whichever of the following events first occurs, that is to say—

a the expiration of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which the notice required by virtue of subsection (1)(b) or, as the case may be, (5)(a) above is given to the appropriate Agency; or

b if the appropriate Agency gives notification to the local authority in question that it agrees with the decision, the giving of that notification;

and where a decision takes effect by virtue of this subsection, the local authority shall give notice of that fact to the relevant persons.

7 Where a decision that any land is land which is required to be designated as a special site takes effect in accordance with subsection (6) above, the notice given under subsection (1)(b) or, as the case may be, (5)(a) above shall have effect, as from the time when the decision takes effect, as the designation of that land as such a site.

8 For the purposes of this Part, land is required to be designated as a special site if, and only if, it is land of a description prescribed for the purposes of this subsection.

9 Regulations under subsection (8) above may make different provision for different cases or circumstances or different areas or localities and may, in particular, describe land by reference to the area or locality in which it is situated.

10 Without prejudice to the generality of his power to prescribe any description of land for the purposes of subsection (8) above, the Secretary of State, in deciding whether to prescribe a particular description of contaminated land for those purposes, may, in particular, have regard to—

a whether land of the description in question appears to him to be land which is likely to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land that—

i serious harm would or might be caused, or

ii serious pollution of controlled waters would or might be caused ; or

b whether the appropriate Agency is likely to have expertise in dealing with the kind of significant harm, or significant pollution of controlled waters, by reason of which land of the description in question is contaminated land.

^F12378D Referral of special site decisions to the Secretary of State.¶

1 In any case where—

a a local authority gives notice of a decision to the appropriate Agency pursuant to subsection (1)(b) or (5)(b) of section 78C above, but

b before the expiration of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which that notice is so given, that Agency gives the local authority notice that it disagrees with the decision, together with a statement of its reasons for disagreeing,

the authority shall refer the decision to the Secretary of State and shall send to him a statement of its reasons for reaching the decision.

2 Where the appropriate Agency gives notice to a local authority under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above, it shall also send to the Secretary of State a copy of the notice and of the statement given under that paragraph.

3 Where a local authority refers a decision to the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above, it shall give notice of that fact to the relevant persons.

4 Where a decision of a local authority is referred to the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above, he—

a may confirm or reverse the decision with respect to the whole or any part of the land to which it relates; and

b shall give notice of his decision on the referral—

i to the relevant persons; and

ii to the local authority.

5 Where a decision of a local authority is referred to the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above, the decision shall not take effect until the day after that on which the Secretary of State gives the notice required by subsection (4) above to the persons there mentioned and shall then take effect as confirmed or reversed by him.

6 Where a decision which takes effect in accordance with subsection (5) above is to the effect that at least some land is land which is required to be designated as a special site, the notice given under subsection (4)(b) above shall have effect, as from the time when the decision takes effect, as the designation of that land as such a site.

7 In this section “the relevant persons” has the same meaning as in section 78C above.

^F124^E2178E Duty of enforcing authority to require remediation of contaminated land etc.¶

1 In any case where—

a any land has been designated as a special site by virtue of section 78C(7) or 78D(6) above, or

b a local authority has identified any contaminated land (other than a special site) in its area,

the enforcing authority shall, in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed and subject to the following provisions of this Part, serve on each person who is an appropriate person a notice (in this Part referred to as a “remediation notice”) specifying what that person is to do by way of remediation and the periods within which he is required to do each of the things so specified.

2 Different remediation notices requiring the doing of different things by way of remediation may be served on different persons in consequence of the presence of different substances in, on or under any land or waters.

3 Where two or more persons are appropriate persons in relation to any particular thing which is to be done by way of remediation, the remediation notice served on each of them shall state the proportion, determined under section 78F(7) below, of the cost of doing that thing which each of them respectively is liable to bear.

4 The only things by way of remediation which the enforcing authority may do, or require to be done, under or by virtue of this Part are things which it considers reasonable, having regard to—

a the cost which is likely to be involved; and

b the seriousness of the harm, or of the pollution of controlled waters, in question.

5 In determining for any purpose of this Part—

a what is to be done (whether by an appropriate person, the enforcing authority or any other person) by way of remediation in any particular case,

b the standard to which any land is, or waters are, to be remediated pursuant to the notice, or

c what is, or is not, to be regarded as reasonable for the purposes of subsection (4) above,

the enforcing authority shall have regard to any guidance issued for the purpose by the Secretary of State.

6 Regulations may make provision for or in connection with—

a the form or content of remediation notices; or

b any steps of a procedural nature which are to be taken in connection with, or in consequence of, the service of a remediation notice.

^F12578F Determination of the appropriate person to bear responsibility for remediation.¶

1 This section has effect for the purpose of determining who is the appropriate person to bear responsibility for any particular thing which the enforcing authority determines is to be done by way of remediation in any particular case.

2 Subject to the following provisions of this section, any person, or any of the persons, who caused or knowingly permitted the substances, or any of the substances, by reason of which the contaminated land in question is such land to be in, on or under that land is an appropriate person.

3 A person shall only be an appropriate person by virtue of subsection (2) above in relation to things which are to be done by way of remediation which are to any extent referable to substances which he caused or knowingly permitted to be present in, on or under the contaminated land in question.

4 If no person has, after reasonable inquiry, been found who is by virtue of subsection (2) above an appropriate person to bear responsibility for the things which are to be done by way of remediation, the owner or occupier for the time being of the contaminated land in question is an appropriate person.

5 If, in consequence of subsection (3) above, there are things which are to be done by way of remediation in relation to which no person has, after reasonable inquiry, been found who is an appropriate person by virtue of subsection (2) above, the owner or occupier for the time being of the contaminated land in question is an appropriate person in relation to those things.

5A But where the contaminated land is owned or occupied by the Crown by virtue of its having vested as bona vacantia in the Crown, or its having fallen to the Crown as ultimus haeres, the Crown is not an appropriate person under subsection (4) or (5) for the purposes of this Part.

6 Where two or more persons would, apart from this subsection, be appropriate persons in relation to any particular thing which is to be done by way of remediation, the enforcing authority shall determine in accordance with guidance issued for the purpose by the Secretary of State whether any, and if so which, of them is to be treated as not being an appropriate person in relation to that thing.

7 Where two or more persons are appropriate persons in relation to any particular thing which is to be done by way of remediation, they shall be liable to bear the cost of doing that thing in proportions determined by the enforcing authority in accordance with guidance issued for the purpose by the Secretary of State.

8 Any guidance issued for the purposes of subsection (6) or (7) above shall be issued in accordance with section 78YA below.

9 A person who has caused or knowingly permitted any substance (“substance A”) to be in, on or under any land shall also be taken for the purposes of this section to have caused or knowingly permitted there to be in, on or under that land any substance which is there as a result of a chemical reaction or biological process affecting substance A.

10 A thing which is to be done by way of remediation may be regarded for the purposes of this Part as referable to the presence of any substance notwithstanding that the thing in question would not have to be done—

a in consequence only of the presence of that substance in any quantity; or

b in consequence only of the quantity of that substance which any particular person caused or knowingly permitted to be present.

^F126^E2378G Grant of, and compensation for, rights of entry etc.¶

1 A remediation notice may require an appropriate person to do things by way of remediation, notwithstanding that he is not entitled to do those things.

2 Any person whose consent is required before any thing required by a remediation notice may be done shall grant, or join in granting, such rights in relation to any of the relevant land or waters as will enable the appropriate person to comply with any requirements imposed by the remediation notice.

3 Before serving a remediation notice, the enforcing authority shall reasonably endeavour to consult every person who appears to the authority—

a to be the owner or occupier of any of the relevant land or waters, and

b to be a person who might be required by subsection (2) above to grant, or join in granting, any rights,

concerning the rights which that person may be so required to grant.

4 Subsection (3) above shall not preclude the service of a remediation notice in any case where it appears to the enforcing authority that the contaminated land in question is in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that there is imminent danger of serious harm, or serious pollution of controlled waters, being caused.

5 A person who grants, or joins in granting, any rights pursuant to subsection (2) above shall be entitled, on making an application within such period as may be prescribed and in such manner as may be prescribed to such person as may be prescribed, to be paid by the appropriate person compensation of such amount as may be determined in such manner as may be prescribed.

6 Without prejudice to the generality of the regulations that may be made by virtue of subsection (5) above, regulations by virtue of that subsection may make such provision in relation to compensation under this section as may be made by regulations by virtue of subsection (4) of section 35A above in relation to compensation under that section.

7 In this section, “relevant land or waters” means—

a the contaminated land in question;

b any controlled waters affected by that land; or

c any land adjoining or adjacent to that land or those waters.

^F127^E2578H Restrictions and prohibitions on serving remediation notices.¶

1 Before serving a remediation notice, the enforcing authority shall reasonably endeavour to consult—

a the person on whom the notice is to be served,

b the owner of any land to which the notice relates,

c any person who appears to that authority to be in occupation of the whole or any part of the land, and

d any person of such other description as may be prescribed,

concerning what is to be done by way of remediation.

2 Regulations may make provision for, or in connection with, steps to be taken for the purposes of subsection (1) above.

3 No remediation notice shall be served on any person by reference to any contaminated land during any of the following periods, that is to say—

a the period—

i beginning with the identification of the contaminated land in question pursuant to section 78B(1) above, and

ii ending with the expiration of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the notice required by subsection (3)(d) or, as the case may be, (4) of section 78B above is given to that person in respect of that land;

b if a decision falling within paragraph (b) of section 78C(1) above is made in relation to the contaminated land in question, the period beginning with the making of the decision and ending with the expiration of the period of three months beginning with—

i in a case where the decision is not referred to the Secretary of State under section 78D above, the day on which the notice required by section 78C(6) above is given, or

ii in a case where the decision is referred to the Secretary of State under section 78D above, the day on which he gives the notice required by subsection (4)(b) of that section;

c if the appropriate Agency gives a notice under subsection (4) of section 78C above to a local authority in relation to the contaminated land in question, the period beginning with the day on which that notice is given and ending with the expiration of the period of three months beginning with—

i in a case where notice is given under subsection (6) of that section, the day on which that notice is given;

ii in a case where the authority makes a decision falling within subsection (5)(b) of that section and the appropriate Agency fails to give notice under paragraph (b) of section 78D(1) above, the day following the expiration of the period of twenty-one days mentioned in that paragraph; or

iii in a case where the authority makes a decision falling within section 78C(5)(b) above which is referred to the Secretary of State under section 78D above, the day on which the Secretary of State gives the notice required by subsection (4)(b) of that section.

4 Neither subsection (1) nor subsection (3) above shall preclude the service of a remediation notice in any case where it appears to the enforcing authority that the land in question is in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that there is imminent danger of serious harm, or serious pollution of controlled waters, being caused.

5 The enforcing authority shall not serve a remediation notice on a person if and so long as any one or more of the following conditions is for the time being satisfied in the particular case, that is to say—

a the authority is satisfied, in consequence of section 78E(4) and (5) above, that there is nothing by way of remediation which could be specified in a remediation notice served on that person;

b the authority is satisfied that appropriate things are being, or will be, done by way of remediation without the service of a remediation notice on that person;

c it appears to the authority that the person on whom the notice would be served is the authority itself; or

d the authority is satisfied that the powers conferred on it by section 78N below to do what is appropriate by way of remediation are exercisable.

6 Where the enforcing authority is precluded by virtue of section 78E(4) or (5) above from specifying in a remediation notice any particular thing by way of remediation which it would otherwise have specified in such a notice, the authority shall prepare and publish a document (in this Part referred to as a “remediation declaration”) which shall record—

a the reasons why the authority would have specified that thing; and

b the grounds on which the authority is satisfied that it is precluded from specifying that thing in such a notice.

7 In any case where the enforcing authority is precluded, by virtue of paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of subsection (5) above, from serving a remediation notice, the responsible person shall prepare and publish a document (in this Part referred to as a “remediation statement”) which shall record—

a the things which are being, have been, or are expected to be, done by way of remediation in the particular case;

b the name and address of the person who is doing, has done, or is expected to do, each of those things; and

c the periods within which each of those things is being, or is expected to be, done.

8 For the purposes of subsection (7) above, the “responsible person” is—

a in a case where the condition in paragraph (b) of subsection (5) above is satisfied, the person who is doing or has done, or who the enforcing authority is satisfied will do, the things there mentioned; or

b in a case where the condition in paragraph (c) or (d) of that subsection is satisfied, the enforcing authority.

9 If a person who is required by virtue of subsection (8)(a) above to prepare and publish a remediation statement fails to do so within a reasonable time after the date on which a remediation notice specifying the things there mentioned could, apart from subsection (5) above, have been served, the enforcing authority may itself prepare and publish the statement and may recover its reasonable costs of doing so from that person.

10 Where the enforcing authority has been precluded by virtue only of subsection (5) above from serving a remediation notice on an appropriate person but—

a none of the conditions in that subsection is for the time being satisfied in the particular case, and

b the authority is not precluded by any other provision of this Part from serving a remediation notice on that appropriate person,

the authority shall serve a remediation notice on that person; and any such notice may be so served without any further endeavours by the authority to consult persons pursuant to subsection (1) above, if and to the extent that that person has been consulted pursuant to that subsection concerning the things which will be specified in the notice.

^F128^E2778J Restrictions on liability relating to the pollution of controlled waters.¶

1 This section applies where any land is contaminated land by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 78A above (whether or not the land is also contaminated land by virtue of paragraph (a) of that subsection).

2 Where this section applies, no remediation notice given in consequence of the land in question being contaminated land shall require a person who is an appropriate person by virtue of section 78F(4) or (5) above to do anything by way of remediation to that or any other land, or any waters, which he could not have been required to do by such a notice had paragraph (b) of section 78A(2) above (and all other references to pollution of controlled waters) been omitted from this Part.

3 If, in a case where this section applies, a person permits, has permitted, or might permit, water from an abandoned mine or part of a mine—

a to enter any controlled waters, or

b to reach a place from which it is or, as the case may be, was likely, in the opinion of the enforcing authority, to enter such waters,

no remediation notice shall require him in consequence to do anything by way of remediation (whether to the contaminated land in question or to any other land or waters) which he could not have been required to do by such a notice had paragraph (b) of section 78A(2) above (and all other references to pollution of controlled waters) been omitted from this Part.

4 Subsection (3) above shall not apply to the owner or former operator of any mine or part of a mine if the mine or part in question became abandoned after 31st December 1999.

5 In determining for the purposes of subsection (4) above whether a mine or part of a mine became abandoned before, on or after 31st December 1999 in a case where the mine or part has become abandoned on two or more occasions, of which—

a at least one falls on or before that date, and

b at least one falls after that date,

the mine or part shall be regarded as becoming abandoned after that date (but without prejudice to the operation of subsection (3) above in relation to that mine or part at, or in relation to, any time before the first of those occasions which falls after that date).

6 Where, immediately before a part of a mine becomes abandoned, that part is the only part of the mine not falling to be regarded as abandoned for the time being, the abandonment of that part shall not be regarded for the purposes of subsection (4) or (5) above as constituting the abandonment of the mine, but only of that part of it.

7 Nothing in subsection (2) or (3) above prevents the enforcing authority from doing anything by way of remediation under section 78N below which it could have done apart from that subsection, but the authority shall not be entitled under section 78P below to recover from any person any part of the cost incurred by the authority in doing by way of remediation anything which it is precluded by subsection (2) or (3) above from requiring that person to do.

8 In this section “mine” has the same meaning as in the ^M37Mines and Quarries Act 1954.

^F129^E2978K Liability in respect of contaminating substances which escape to other land.¶

1 A person who has caused or knowingly permitted any substances to be in, on or under any land shall also be taken for the purposes of this Part to have caused or, as the case may be, knowingly permitted those substances to be in, on or under any other land to which they appear to have escaped.

2 Subsections (3) and (4) below apply in any case where it appears that any substances are or have been in, on or under any land (in this section referred to as “land A”) as a result of their escape, whether directly or indirectly, from other land in, on or under which a person caused or knowingly permitted them to be.

3 Where this subsection applies, no remediation notice shall require a person—

a who is the owner or occupier of land A, and

b who has not caused or knowingly permitted the substances in question to be in, on or under that land,

to do anything by way of remediation to any land or waters (other than land or waters of which he is the owner or occupier) in consequence of land A appearing to be in such a condition, by reason of the presence of those substances in, on or under it, that significant harm, or significant pollution of controlled waters, is being caused, or there is a significant possibility of such harm or pollution being caused.

4 Where this subsection applies, no remediation notice shall require a person—

a who is the owner or occupier of land A, and

b who has not caused or knowingly permitted the substances in question to be in, on or under that land,

to do anything by way of remediation in consequence of any further land in, on or under which those substances or any of them appear to be or to have been present as a result of their escape from land A (“land B”) appearing to be in such a condition, by reason of the presence of those substances in, on or under it, that significant harm, or significant pollution of controlled waters, is being caused, or there is a significant possibility of such harm or pollution being caused, unless he is also the owner or occupier of land B.

5 In any case where—

a a person (“person A”) has caused or knowingly permitted any substances to be in, on, or under any land,

b another person (“person B”) who has not caused or knowingly permitted those substances to be in, on or under that land becomes the owner or occupier of that land, and

c the substances, or any of the substances, mentioned in paragraph (a) above appear to have escaped to other land,

no remediation notice shall require person B to do anything by way of remediation to that other land in consequence of the apparent acts or omissions of person A, except to the extent that person B caused or knowingly permitted the escape.

6 Nothing in subsection (3), (4) or (5) above prevents the enforcing authority from doing anything by way of remediation under section 78N below which it could have done apart from that subsection, but the authority shall not be entitled under section 78P below to recover from any person any part of the cost incurred by the authority in doing by way of remediation anything which it is precluded by subsection (3), (4) or (5) above from requiring that person to do.

7 In this section, “appear” means appear to the enforcing authority, and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.

^F130^C33^E5278L Appeals against remediation notices.¶

1 A person on whom a remediation notice is served may, within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which the notice is served, appeal against the notice—

a if it was served by a local authority in England or by the Environment Agency , to the Secretary of State;

b if it was served by a local authority in Wales or by the Natural Resources Body for Wales , to the National Assembly for Wales;

and in the following provisions of this section “the appellate authority” means the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales, as the case may be.

2 On any appeal under subsection (1) above the appellate authority—

a shall quash the notice, if it is satisfied that there is a material defect in the notice; but

b subject to that, may confirm the remediation notice, with or without modification, or quash it.

3 Where an appellate authority confirms a remediation notice, with or without modification, it may extend the period specified in the notice for doing what the notice requires to be done.

4 Regulations may make provision with respect to—

a the grounds on which appeals under subsection (1) above may be made;

b ^F562. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

c the procedure on an appeal under subsection (1) above ^F563. . .

5 Regulations under subsection (4) above may (among other things)—

a include provisions comparable to those in section 290 of the ^M38Public Health Act 1936 (appeals against notices requiring the execution of works);

b prescribe the cases in which a remediation notice is, or is not, to be suspended until the appeal is decided, or until some other stage in the proceedings;

c prescribe the cases in which the decision on an appeal may in some respects be less favourable to the appellant than the remediation notice against which he is appealing;

d prescribe the cases in which the appellant may claim that a remediation notice should have been served on some other person and prescribe the procedure to be followed in those cases;

e make provision as respects—

i the particulars to be included in the notice of appeal;

ii the persons on whom notice of appeal is to be served and the particulars, if any, which are to accompany the notice; and

iii the abandonment of an appeal;

f make different provision for different cases or classes of case.

6 This section, ^F564. . . , is subject to section 114 of the ^M39Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).

^F13178M Offences of not complying with a remediation notice.¶

1 If a person on whom an enforcing authority serves a remediation notice fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any of the requirements of the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence.

2 Where the remediation notice in question is one which was required by section 78E(3) above to state, in relation to the requirement which has not been complied with, the proportion of the cost involved which the person charged with the offence is liable to bear, it shall be a defence for that person to prove that the only reason why he has not complied with the requirement is that one or more of the other persons who are liable to bear a proportion of that cost refused, or was not able, to comply with the requirement.

3 Except in a case falling within subsection (4) below, a person who commits an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale and to a further fine of an amount equal to one-tenth of level 5 on the standard scale one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale for each day on which the failure continues after conviction of the offence and before the enforcing authority has begun to exercise its powers by virtue of section 78N(3)(c) below.

4 A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) above in a case where the contaminated land to which the remediation notice relates is industrial, trade or business premises shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or such greater sum as the Secretary of State may from time to time by order substitute a fine and to a further fine of an amount equal to one-tenth of that sum for each day on which the failure continues after conviction of the offence and before the enforcing authority has begun to exercise its powers by virtue of section 78N(3)(c) below.

5 If the enforcing authority is of the opinion that proceedings for an offence under this section would afford an ineffectual remedy against a person who has failed to comply with any of the requirements of a remediation notice which that authority has served on him, that authority may take proceedings in the High Court or, in Scotland, in any court of competent jurisdiction, for the purpose of securing compliance with the remediation notice.

6 In this section, “industrial, trade or business premises” means premises used for any industrial, trade or business purposes or premises not so used on which matter is burnt in connection with any industrial, trade or business process, and premises are used for industrial purposes where they are used for the purposes of any treatment or process as well as where they are used for the purpose of manufacturing.

^F11937 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F132^E3178N Powers of the enforcing authority to carry out remediation.¶

1 Where this section applies, the enforcing authority shall itself have power, in a case falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of section 78E(1) above, to do what is appropriate by way of remediation to the relevant land or waters.

2 Subsection (1) above shall not confer power on the enforcing authority to do anything by way of remediation if the authority would, in the particular case, be precluded by section 78YB below from serving a remediation notice requiring that thing to be done.

3 This section applies in each of the following cases, that is to say—

a where the enforcing authority considers it necessary to do anything itself by way of remediation for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of any serious harm, or serious pollution of controlled waters, of which there is imminent danger;

b where an appropriate person has entered into a written agreement with the enforcing authority for that authority to do, at the cost of that person, that which he would otherwise be required to do under this Part by way of remediation;

c where a person on whom the enforcing authority serves a remediation notice fails to comply with any of the requirements of the notice;

d where the enforcing authority is precluded by section 78J or 78K above from including something by way of remediation in a remediation notice;

e where the enforcing authority considers that, were it to do some particular thing by way of remediation, it would decide, by virtue of subsection (2) of section 78P below or any guidance issued under that subsection,—

i not to seek to recover under subsection (1) of that section any of the reasonable cost incurred by it in doing that thing; or

ii to seek so to recover only a portion of that cost;

f where no person has, after reasonable inquiry, been found who is an appropriate person in relation to any particular thing.

4 Subject to section 78E(4) and (5) above, for the purposes of this section, the things which it is appropriate for the enforcing authority to do by way of remediation are—

a in a case falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (3) above, anything by way of remediation which the enforcing authority considers necessary for the purpose mentioned in that paragraph;

b in a case falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection, anything specified in, or determined under, the agreement mentioned in that paragraph;

c in a case falling within paragraph (c) of that subsection, anything which the person mentioned in that paragraph was required to do by virtue of the remediation notice;

d in a case falling within paragraph (d) of that subsection, anything by way of remediation which the enforcing authority is precluded by section 78J or 78K above from including in a remediation notice;

e in a case falling within paragraph (e) or (f) of that subsection, the particular thing mentioned in the paragraph in question.

5 In this section “the relevant land or waters” means—

a the contaminated land in question;

b any controlled waters affected by that land; or

c any land adjoining or adjacent to that land or those waters.

^F133^E378P Recovery of, and security for, the cost of remediation by the enforcing authority.¶

1 Where, by virtue of section 78N(3)(a), (c), (e) or (f) above, the enforcing authority does any particular thing by way of remediation, it shall be entitled, subject to sections 78J(7) and 78K(6) above, to recover the reasonable cost incurred in doing it from the appropriate person or, if there are two or more appropriate persons in relation to the thing in question, from those persons in proportions determined pursuant to section 78F(7) above.

2 In deciding whether to recover the cost, and, if so, how much of the cost, which it is entitled to recover under subsection (1) above, the enforcing authority shall have regard—

a to any hardship which the recovery may cause to the person from whom the cost is recoverable; and

b to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this subsection.

3 Subsection (4) below shall apply in any case where—

a any cost is recoverable under subsection (1) above from a person—

i who is the owner of any premises which consist of or include the contaminated land in question; and

ii who caused or knowingly permitted the substances, or any of the substances, by reason of which the land is contaminated land to be in, on or under the land; and

b the enforcing authority serves a notice under this subsection (in this Part referred to as a “charging notice”) on that person.

4 Where this subsection applies—

a the cost shall carry interest, at such reasonable rate as the enforcing authority may determine, from the date of service of the notice until the whole amount is paid; and

b subject to the following provisions of this section, the cost and accrued interest shall be a charge on the premises mentioned in subsection (3)(a)(i) above.

5 A charging notice shall—

a specify the amount of the cost which the enforcing authority claims is recoverable;

b state the effect of subsection (4) above and the rate of interest determined by the authority under that subsection; and

c state the effect of subsections (7) and (8) below.

6 On the date on which an enforcing authority serves a charging notice on a person, the authority shall also serve a copy of the notice on every other person who, to the knowledge of the authority, has an interest in the premises capable of being affected by the charge.

7 Subject to any order under subsection (9)(b) or (c) below, the amount of any cost specified in a charging notice and the accrued interest shall be a charge on the premises—

a as from the end of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the service of the charging notice, or

b where an appeal is brought under subsection (8) below, as from the final determination or (as the case may be) the withdrawal, of the appeal,

until the cost and interest are recovered.

8 A person served with a charging notice or a copy of a charging notice may appeal against the notice to the county court within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date of service.

9 On an appeal under subsection (8) above, the court may—

a confirm the notice without modification;

b order that the notice is to have effect with the substitution of a different amount for the amount originally specified in it; or

c order that the notice is to be of no effect.

10 Regulations may make provision with respect to—

a the grounds on which appeals under this section may be made; or

b the procedure on any such appeal.

11 An enforcing authority shall, for the purpose of enforcing a charge under this section, have all the same powers and remedies under the ^M40Law 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 of appointing a receiver.

12 Where any cost is a charge on premises under this section, the enforcing authority may by order declare the cost to be payable with interest by instalments within the specified period until the whole amount is paid.

13 In subsection (12) above—

“interest” means interest at the rate determined by the enforcing authority under subsection (4) above; and
“the specified period” means such period of thirty years or less from the date of service of the charging notice as is specified in the order.

14 Subsections (3) to (13) above do not extend to Scotland.

^F13478Q Special sites.¶

1 If, in a case where a local authority has served a remediation notice, the contaminated land in question becomes a special site, the appropriate Agency may adopt the remediation notice and, if it does so,—

a it shall give notice of its decision to adopt the remediation notice to the appropriate person and to the local authority;

b the remediation notice shall have effect, as from the time at which the appropriate Agency decides to adopt it, as a remediation notice given by that Agency; and

c the validity of the remediation notice shall not be affected by—

i the contaminated land having become a special site;

ii the adoption of the remediation notice by the appropriate Agency; or

iii anything in paragraph (b) above.

2 Where a local authority has, by virtue of section 78N above, begun to do any thing, or any series of things, by way of remediation—

a the authority may continue doing that thing, or that series of things, by virtue of that section, notwithstanding that the contaminated land in question becomes a special site; and

b section 78P above shall apply in relation to the reasonable cost incurred by the authority in doing that thing or those things as if that authority were the enforcing authority.

3 If and so long as any land is a special site, the appropriate Agency may from time to time inspect that land for the purpose of keeping its condition under review.

4 If it appears to the appropriate Agency that a special site is no longer land which is required to be designated as such a site, the appropriate Agency may give notice—

a to the Secretary of State, and

b to the local authority in whose area the site is situated,

terminating the designation of the land in question as a special site as from such date as may be specified in the notice.

5 A notice under subsection (4) above shall not prevent the land, or any of the land, to which the notice relates being designated as a special site on a subsequent occasion.

6 In exercising its functions under subsection (3) or (4) above, the appropriate Agency shall act in accordance with any guidance given for the purpose by the Secretary of State.

78QA ^C332Land no longer considered to be contaminated¶

1 Subsection (2) applies where—

a a local authority has given notice under section 78B above that land in its area has been identified as contaminated land;

b the land is not designated as a special site by virtue of section 78C(7) or 78D(6) above; and

c the local authority is satisfied that the land is no longer contaminated land.

2 The local authority may give notice (a “non-contamination notice”) that the land is no longer contaminated land to—

a the appropriate Agency;

b the owner of the land;

c any person who appears to the local authority to be in occupation of the land;

d each person who appears to the authority to be an appropriate person.

3 Where a non-contamination notice is given in respect of land—

a the notice mentioned in subsection (1) above ceases to have effect (and accordingly the land is no longer identified as contaminated land for the purposes of this Part);

b no remediation notice may be served in respect of the land;

c any remediation notice in force in respect of the land at the time the non-contamination notice is given ceases to have effect (except to the extent that the non-contamination notice provides otherwise); and

d no proceedings may be begun against a person for an offence under section 78M(1) above in respect of such a remediation notice except in relation to a provision of the notice which continues to have effect by virtue of paragraph (c) above.

4 A non-contamination notice shall not prevent the land, or any of the land, to which the notice relates being identified as contaminated land on a subsequent occasion.

5 Where land, or any of the land, to which a non-contamination notice relates is subsequently identified as contaminated land, or is subsequently designated as a special site by virtue of section 78C(7) or 78D(6), subsection (3)(b) above does not prevent a remediation notice being served in respect of the land.

6 Where a local authority gives a non-contamination notice, it must keep (in such form as it thinks fit) a record of—

a details of the land to which the notice relates;

b its reasons for giving the notice; and

c the date of—

i the notice mentioned in subsection (1) above;

ii service of the non-contamination notice.

7 Subsection (8) of section 78R below applies to records kept under subsection (6) above as it applies to registers maintained by enforcing authorities under that section; and for that purpose, the reference to entries is to be read as if it were a reference to information in such records.

8 In performing its function under subsection (2) above, a local authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with section 78YA below.

9 In this section, references to land in respect of which a non-contamination notice is given include references to part of that land.

^F13578R Registers.¶

1 Every enforcing authority shall maintain a register containing prescribed particulars of or relating to—

a remediation notices served by that authority;

b appeals against any such remediation notices;

c remediation statements or remediation declarations prepared and published under section 78H above;

d in relation to an enforcing authority in England and Wales, appeals against charging notices served by that authority;

e notices under subsection (1)(b) or (5)(a) of section 78C above which have effect by virtue of subsection (7) of that section as the designation of any land as a special site;

f notices under subsection (4)(b) of section 78D above which have effect by virtue of subsection (6) of that section as the designation of any land as a special site;

g notices given by or to the enforcing authority under section 78Q(4) above terminating the designation of any land as a special site;

h notifications given to that authority by persons—

i on whom a remediation notice has been served, or

ii who are or were required by virtue of section 78H(8)(a) above to prepare and publish a remediation statement,

of what they claim has been done by them by way of remediation;

j notifications given to that authority by owners or occupiers of land—

i in respect of which a remediation notice has been served, or

ii in respect of which a remediation statement has been prepared and published,

of what they claim has been done on the land in question by way of remediation;

k convictions for such offences under section 78M above as may be prescribed;

l such other matters relating to contaminated land as may be prescribed;

but that duty is subject to sections 78S and 78T below.

2 The form of, and the descriptions of information to be contained in, notifications for the purposes of subsection (1)(h) or (j) above may be prescribed by the Secretary of State.

3 No entry made in a register by virtue of subsection (1)(h) or (j) above constitutes a representation by the body maintaining the register or, in a case where the entry is made by virtue of subsection (6) below, the authority which sent the copy of the particulars in question pursuant to subsection (4) or (5) below—

a that what is stated in the entry to have been done has in fact been done; or

b as to the manner in which it has been done.

4 Where any particulars are entered on a register maintained under this section by the appropriate Agency, the appropriate Agency shall send a copy of those particulars to the local authority in whose area is situated the land to which the particulars relate.

5 In any case where—

a any land is treated by virtue of section 78X(2) below as situated in the area of a local authority other than the local authority in whose area it is in fact situated, and

b any particulars relating to that land are entered on the register maintained under this section by the local authority in whose area the land is so treated as situated,

that authority shall send a copy of those particulars to the local authority in whose area the land is in fact situated.

6 Where a local authority receives a copy of any particulars sent to it pursuant to subsection (4) or (5) above, it shall enter those particulars on the register maintained by it under this section.

7 Where information of any description is excluded by virtue of section 78T below from any register maintained under this section, a statement shall be entered in the register indicating the existence of information of that description.

8 It shall be the duty of each enforcing authority—

a to secure that the registers maintained by it under this section are available, at all reasonable times, for inspection by the public free of charge; and

b to afford to members of the public facilities for obtaining copies of entries, on payment of reasonable charges;

9 Registers under this section may be kept in any form.

^F13678S Exclusion from registers of information affecting national security.¶

1 No information shall be included in a register maintained under section 78R above if and so long as, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the inclusion in the register of that information, or information of that description, would be contrary to the interests of national security.

2 The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of securing the exclusion from registers of information to which subsection (1) above applies, give to enforcing authorities directions—

a specifying information, or descriptions of information, to be excluded from their registers; or

b specifying descriptions of information to be referred to the Secretary of State for his determination;

and no information referred to the Secretary of State in pursuance of paragraph (b) above shall be included in any such register until the Secretary of State determines that it should be so included.

3 The enforcing authority shall notify the Secretary of State of any information which it excludes from the register in pursuance of directions under subsection (2) above.

a he shall notify the enforcing authority that he has done so; and

b no information so notified to the Secretary of State shall be included in any such register until the Secretary of State has determined that it should be so included.

^F137^C3478T Exclusion from registers of certain confidential information.¶

1 No information relating to the affairs of any individual or business shall be included in a register maintained under section 78R above, without the consent of that individual or the person for the time being carrying on that business, if and so long as the information—

a is, in relation to him, commercially confidential; and

b is not required to be included in the register in pursuance of directions under subsection (7) below;

2 Where it appears to an enforcing authority that any information which has been obtained by the authority under or by virtue of any provision of this Part might be commercially confidential, the authority shall—

a give to the person to whom or whose business it relates notice that that information is required to be included in the register unless excluded under this section; and

b give him a reasonable opportunity—

i of objecting to the inclusion of the information on the ground that it is commercially confidential; and

ii of making representations to the authority for the purpose of justifying any such objection;

and, if any representations are made, the enforcing authority shall, having taken the representations into account, determine whether the information is or is not commercially confidential.

3 Where, under subsection (2) above, an authority determines that information is not commercially confidential—

a the information shall not be entered in the register until the end of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date on which the determination is notified to the person concerned;

b that person may appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision;

4 An appeal under subsection (3) above shall, if either party to the appeal so requests or the Secretary of State so decides, take or continue in the form of a hearing (which must be held in private).

5 Subsection (10) of section 15 above shall apply in relation to an appeal under subsection (3) above as it applies in relation to an appeal under that section.

6 Subsection (3) above is subject to section 114 of the Environment Act 1995 (delegation or reference of appeals etc).

7 The Secretary of State may give to the enforcing authorities directions as to specified information, or descriptions of information, which the public interest requires to be included in registers maintained under section 78R above notwithstanding that the information may be commercially confidential.

9 Subsections (3) to (6) above shall apply in relation to a determination under subsection (8) above as they apply in relation to a determination under subsection (2) above.

10 Information is, for the purposes of any determination under this section, commercially confidential, in relation to any individual or person, if its being contained in the register would prejudice to an unreasonable degree the commercial interests of that individual or person.

11 For the purposes of subsection (10) above, there shall be disregarded any prejudice to the commercial interests of any individual or person so far as relating only to the value of the contaminated land in question or otherwise to the ownership or occupation of that land.

78TA ^C326Registers: removal of information about land designated as special site¶

1 Subsection (2) applies where a local authority has entered in a register maintained under section 78R above particulars of or relating to notices mentioned in paragraph (e) or (f) of subsection (1) of that section.

2 The local authority may remove the particulars from the register.

3 Particulars may be removed under subsection (2) above only if—

a the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has given the local authority a notice under section 78Q(4) above that the land to which the notices relate is no longer land which is required to be designated as a special site; and

b the date specified in the notice given under that section has passed.

4 Where a local authority removes particulars from a register under subsection (2) above, it must keep (in such form as it thinks fit) a record of—

a the particulars that have been removed;

b its reasons for removing them; and

c the date on which the particulars—

i were originally entered in the register; and

ii were removed.

5 Subsection (8) of section 78R above applies to records kept under subsection (4) above as it applies to registers maintained by enforcing authorities under that section; and for that purpose, the reference to entries is to be read as if it were a reference to information in such records.

6 In performing its functions under subsection (4) above, a local authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with section 78YA below.

7 Where a local authority removes particulars from a register under subsection (2) above, it must give notice of such removal to—

a the Scottish Environment Protection Agency;

b any person who is the owner of land designated as a special site by a notice to which the particulars relate;

c any person who appears to the local authority to be in occupation of the whole or any part of that land;

d each person—

i who appears to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to be an appropriate person in relation to that land; and

ii in respect of whom details have been given by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to the local authority sufficient to enable notice of such removal to be given; and

e each person who appears to the local authority to be an appropriate person in relation to that land.

78TB ^C327Effect of removal of information from register¶

1 Where a local authority removes particulars from a register under section 78TA(2) above—

a any remediation notice relating to the land ceases to have effect; and

b no proceedings may be begun against a person for an offence under section 78M(1) above in respect of any remediation notice relating to the land.

2 In subsection (1), “the land” means land designated as a special site by a notice to which the particulars mentioned in that subsection relate.

^F13878U Reports by the appropriate Agency on the state of contaminated land.¶

1 The appropriate Agency shall—

a from time to time, or

b if the Secretary of State at any time so requests,

prepare and publish a report on the state of contaminated land in England, Wales or Scotland , as the case may be.

2 A local authority shall, at the written request of the appropriate Agency, furnish the appropriate Agency with such information to which this subsection applies as the appropriate Agency may require for the purpose of enabling it to perform its functions under subsection (1) above.

3 The information to which subsection (2) above applies is such information as the local authority may have, or may reasonably be expected to obtain, with respect to the condition of contaminated land in its area, being information which the authority has acquired or may acquire in the exercise of its functions under this Part.

^F13978V Site-specific guidance by the appropriate Agency concerning contaminated land.¶

1 The appropriate Agency may issue guidance to any local authority with respect to the exercise or performance of the authority’s powers or duties under this Part in relation to any particular contaminated land; and in exercising or performing those powers or duties in relation to that land the authority shall have regard to any such guidance so issued.

2 If and to the extent that any guidance issued under subsection (1) above to a local authority is inconsistent with any guidance issued under this Part by the Secretary of State, the local authority shall disregard the guidance under that subsection.

3 A local authority shall, at the written request of the appropriate Agency, furnish the appropriate Agency with such information to which this subsection applies as the appropriate Agency may require for the purpose of enabling it to issue guidance for the purposes of subsection (1) above.

4 The information to which subsection (3) above applies is such information as the local authority may have, or may reasonably be expected to obtain, with respect to any contaminated land in its area, being information which the authority has acquired, or may acquire, in the exercise of its functions under this Part.

^F14078W The appropriate Agency to have regard to guidance given by the Secretary of State.¶

1 The Secretary of State may issue guidance to the appropriate Agency with respect to the exercise or performance of that Agency’s powers or duties under this Part; and in exercising or performing those powers or duties the appropriate Agency shall have regard to any such guidance so issued.

2 The duty imposed on the appropriate Agency by subsection (1) above is without prejudice to any duty imposed by any other provision of this Part on that Agency to act in accordance with guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

^F14178X Supplementary provisions.¶

1 Where it appears to a local authority that two or more different sites, when considered together, are in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that—

a significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused, or

b significant pollution of controlled waters is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such pollution being caused,

this Part shall apply in relation to each of those sites, whether or not the condition of the land at any of them, when considered alone, appears to the authority to be such that significant harm, or significant pollution of controlled waters, is being caused, or there is a significant possibility of such harm or pollution being caused.

2 Where it appears to a local authority that any land outside, but adjoining or adjacent to, its area is in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that significant harm, or significant pollution of controlled waters, is being caused, or there is a significant possibility of such harm or pollution being caused within its area—

a the authority may, in exercising its functions under this Part, treat that land as if it were land situated within its area; and

b except in this subsection, any reference—

i to land within the area of a local authority, or

ii to the local authority in whose area any land is situated,

shall be construed accordingly;

but this subsection is without prejudice to the functions of the local authority in whose area the land is in fact situated.

3 A person acting in a relevant capacity—

a shall not thereby be personally liable, under this Part, to bear the whole or any part of the cost of doing any thing by way of remediation, unless that thing is to any extent referable to substances whose presence in, on or under the contaminated land in question is a result of any act done or omission made by him which it was unreasonable for a person acting in that capacity to do or make; and

b shall not thereby be guilty of an offence under or by virtue of section 78M above unless the requirement which has not been complied with is a requirement to do some particular thing for which he is personally liable to bear the whole or any part of the cost.

4 In subsection (3) above, “person acting in a relevant capacity” means—

a a person acting as an insolvency practitioner, within the meaning of section 388 of the ^M41Insolvency Act 1986 (including that section as it applies in relation to an insolvent partnership by virtue of any order made under section 421 of that Act);

b the official receiver acting in a capacity in which he would be regarded as acting as an insolvency practitioner within the meaning of section 388 of the ^M42Insolvency Act 1986 if subsection (5) of that section were disregarded;

c the official receiver acting as receiver or manager;

d a person acting as a special manager under section 177 or 370 of the ^M43Insolvency Act 1986;

e the Accountant in Bankruptcy acting as trustee or interim trustee in a sequestration (within the meaning of the ^M44Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 );

f a person acting as a receiver or receiver and manager—

i under or by virtue of any enactment; or

ii by virtue of his appointment as such by an order of a court or by any other instrument.

5 Regulations may make different provision for different cases or circumstances.

^F14278Y Application to the Isles of Scilly.¶

1 Subject to the provisions of any order under this section, this Part shall not apply in relation to the Isles of Scilly.

3 An order under this section may—

a make different provision for different cases, including different provision in relation to different persons, circumstances or localities; and

b contain such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, including provision saving provision repealed by or under any enactment.

^F14378YA Supplementary provisions with respect to guidance by the Secretary of State.¶

1 Any power of the Secretary of State to issue guidance under this Part shall only be exercisable after consultation with the appropriate Agency and such other bodies or persons as he may consider it appropriate to consult in relation to the guidance in question.

2 A draft of any guidance proposed to be issued under section 78A(2) or (5), 78B(2) or 78F(6) or (7) above shall be laid before each House of Parliament and the guidance shall not be issued until after the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft was so laid or, if the draft is laid on different days, the later of the two days.

3 If, within the period mentioned in subsection (2) above, either House resolves that the guidance, the draft of which was laid before it, should not be issued, the Secretary of State shall not issue that guidance.

4 In reckoning any period of 40 days for the purposes of subsection (2) or (3) above, no account shall be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

4A Subsections (2) to (4) shall not apply in respect of a draft of any guidance to be issued under section 78A(2) or (5), 78B(2) or 78F(6) or (7) above which relates only to Scotland and such a draft, and a draft of any guidance referred to in section 78QA(8) or section 78TA(6) above, shall be laid before the Scottish Parliament and shall not be issued until after the end of the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft was so laid.

4B If within the period mentioned in subsection (4A) above the Scottish Parliament resolves that the guidance, the draft of which was laid before it, should not be issued, the Scottish Ministers shall not issue that guidance.

4C In reckoning any period of 40 days for the purposes of subsection (4A) or (4B) above no account shall be taken of any time during which the Scottish Parliament is dissolved or is in recess for more than 4 days.

5 The Secretary of State shall arrange for any guidance issued by him under this Part to be published in such manner as he considers appropriate.

^E3578YB Interaction of this Part with other enactments.¶

1 This Part shall not apply if and to the extent that—

a any significant harm, or pollution of controlled waters, by reason of which land would otherwise fall to be regarded as contaminated, is attributable to the operation of a regulated facility; and

b enforcement action may be taken in relation to that harm or significant pollution.

3 If, in a case falling within subsection (1) or (7) of section 59 , section 59ZA(1), 59ZB(1) or (8) or 59ZC(1) above, the land in question is contaminated land, or becomes such land by reason of the deposit , keeping or disposal of the controlled waste in question, a remediation notice shall not be served in respect of that land by reason of that waste or any consequences of its deposit , keeping or disposal, if and to the extent that it appears to the enforcing authority that the powers of a waste regulation authority or waste collection authority under section 59, 59ZA, 59ZB or 59ZC (as the case may be) may be exercised in relation to that waste or the consequences of its deposit , keeping or disposal.

4 No remediation notice shall require a person to do anything the effect of which would be to impede or prevent the making of a discharge in pursuance of an environmental permit or, in relation to Scotland, in pursuance of a consent given under Part II of the ^M45Control of Pollution Act 1974.

5 In this section—

“enforcement action” means action under regulation 36, 37 or 42 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154) ;
“regulated facility” has the meaning given in regulation 8 of those Regulations.

^E3778YC This Part and radioactivity.¶

Except as provided by regulations, nothing in this Part applies in relation to harm, or pollution of controlled waters, so far as attributable to any radioactivity possessed by any substance; but regulations may—

a provide for prescribed provisions of this Part to have effect with such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the purpose of dealing with harm, or pollution of controlled waters, so far as attributable to any radioactivity possessed by any substances; or

b make such modifications of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154) or any Act or other enactment as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

^C35^C126^C127^C128^C129^C134^C240^C264^C214^C178^C152 Part III Statutory Nuisances and Clean Air¶

^F146 Statutory nuisances . . .¶

^C36^E4^E3279 Statutory nuisances and inspections therefor.¶

1 Subject to subsections (1A) to (6A) below, the following matters constitute “statutory nuisances” for the purposes of this Part, that is to say—

a any premises in such a state as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

b smoke emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

c fumes or gases emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

d any dust, steam, smell or other effluvia arising on industrial, trade or business premises and being prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

e any accumulation or deposit which is prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

f any animal kept in such a place or manner as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

fa any insects emanating from relevant industrial, trade or business premises and being prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

fb artificial light emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

g noise emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance;

ga noise that is prejudicial to health or a nuisance and is emitted from or caused by a vehicle, machinery or equipment in a street or in Scotland, road;

h any other matter declared by any enactment to be a statutory nuisance;

and it shall be the duty of every local authority to cause its area to be inspected from time to time to detect any statutory nuisances which ought to be dealt with under section 80 below or sections 80 and 80A below and, where a complaint of a statutory nuisance is made to it by a person living within its area, to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to investigate the complaint.

^F1511A No matter shall constitute a statutory nuisance to the extent that it consists of, or is caused by, any land being in a contaminated state.

1B Land is in a “contaminated state” for the purposes of subsection (1A) above if, and only if, it is in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that—

a harm is being caused or there is a possibility of harm being caused; or

b pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be, caused;

and in this subsection “harm”, “pollution of controlled waters” and “substance” have the same meaning as in Part IIA of this Act.

2 Subsection (1)(b) , (fb) and (g) above do not apply in relation to premises—

a occupied on behalf of the Crown for naval, military or air force purposes or for the purposes of the department of the Secretary of State having responsibility for defence, or

b occupied by or for the purposes of a visiting force;

and “visiting force” means any such body, contingent or detachment of the forces of any country as is a visiting force for the purposes of any of the provisions of the Visiting Forces Act 1952.

3 Subsection (1)(b) above does not apply to—

i smoke emitted from a chimney of a private dwelling within a smoke control area in Wales,

ii dark smoke emitted from a chimney of a building or a chimney serving the furnace of a boiler or industrial plant attached to a building or for the time being fixed to or installed on any land,

iii smoke emitted from a railway locomotive steam engine, or

iv dark smoke emitted otherwise than as mentioned above from industrial or trade premises.

4 Subsection (1)(c) above does not apply in relation to premises other than private dwellings.

5 Subsection (1)(d) above does not apply to steam emitted from a railway locomotive engine.

5A Subsection (1)(fa) does not apply to insects that are wild animals included in Schedule 5 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (animals which are protected), unless they are included in respect of section 9(5) of that Act only.

5B Subsection (1)(fb) does not apply to artificial light emitted from—

a an airport;

b harbour premises;

c railway premises, not being relevant separate railway premises;

d tramway premises;

e a bus station and any associated facilities;

f a public service vehicle operating centre;

g a goods vehicle operating centre;

h a lighthouse;

i a prison.

6 Subsection (1)(g) above does not apply to noise caused by aircraft other than model aircraft.

6A Subsection (1)(ga) above does not apply to noise made—

a by traffic,

b by any naval, military or air force of the Crown or by a visiting force (as defined in subsection (2) above), or

c by a political demonstration or a demonstration supporting or opposing a cause or campaign.

7 In this Part—

“airport” has the meaning given by section 95 of the Transport Act 2000;
“appropriate person” means—
1. in relation to England, the Secretary of State;
2. in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales;
“associated facilities”, in relation to a bus station, has the meaning given by section 83 of the Transport Act 1985;
“bus station” has the meaning given by section 83 of the Transport Act 1985;
“chimney” includes structures and openings of any kind from or through which smoke may be emitted;
“dust” does not include dust emitted from a chimney as an ingredient of smoke;
“equipment” includes a musical instrument;
“fumes” means any airborne solid matter smaller than dust;
“gas” includes vapour and moisture precipitated from vapour;
“goods vehicle operating centre”, in relation to vehicles used under an operator's licence, means a place which is specified in the licence as an operating centre for those vehicles, and for the purposes of this definition “operating centre” and “operator's licence” have the same meaning as in the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995;
“harbour premises” means premises which form part of a harbour area and which are occupied wholly or mainly for the purposes of harbour operations, and for the purposes of this definition “harbour area” and “harbour operations” have the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990;
“industrial, trade or business premises” means premises used for any industrial, trade or business purposes or premises not so used on which matter is burnt in connection with any industrial, trade or business process, and premises are used for industrial purposes where they are used for the purposes of any treatment or process as well as where they are used for the purposes of manufacturing;
“lighthouse” has the same meaning as in Part 8 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995;
“local authority” means, subject to subsection (8) below,—
1. in Greater London, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London and, as respects the Temples, the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple and the Under-Treasurer of the Middle Temple respectively;
2. in England and Wales outside Greater London, a district council; ^F155. . .
3. ^F156in Wales, a county council or county borough council;
4. the Council of the Isles of Scilly; and
5. in Scotland, a district or islands council or a council constituted under section 2 of the ^M49Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994;
“noise” includes vibration;
“person responsible”—
1. in relation to a statutory nuisance, means the person to whose act, default or sufferance the nuisance is attributable;
2. in relation to a vehicle, includes the person in whose name the vehicle is for the time being registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 and any other person who is for the time being the driver of the vehicle;
3. in relation to machinery or equipment, includes any person who is for the time being the operator of the machinery or equipment;
“prejudicial to health” means injurious, or likely to cause injury, to health;
“premises” includes land and, subject to subsection (12) and , in relation to England and Wales, section 81A(9) below, any vessel;
“prison” includes a young offender institution;
“private dwelling” means any building, or part of a building, used or intended to be used, as a dwelling;
“public service vehicle operating centre”, in relation to public service vehicles used under a PSV operator's licence, means a place which is an operating centre of those vehicles, and for the purposes of this definition “operating centre”, “PSV operator's licence” and “public service vehicle” have the same meaning as in the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981;
“railway premises” means any premises which fall within the definition of “light maintenance depot”, “network”, “station” or “track” in section 83 of the Railways Act 1993;
“relevant separate railway premises” has the meaning given by subsection (7A);
“road” has the same meaning as in Part IV of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991;
“smoke” includes soot, ash, grit and gritty particles emitted in smoke;
“street” means a highway and any other road, footway, square or court that is for the time being open to the public;
“tramway premises” means any premises which, in relation to a tramway, are the equivalent of the premises which, in relation to a railway, fall within the definition of “light maintenance depot”, “network”, “station” or “track” in section 83 of the Railways Act 1993;

and any expressions used in this section and in the Clean Air Act 1993 have the same meaning in this section as in that Act and section 3 of the Clean Air Act 1993 shall apply for the interpretation of the expression “dark smoke” and the operation of this Part in relation to it.

7A Railway premises are relevant separate railway premises if—

a they are situated within—

i premises used as a museum or other place of cultural, scientific or historical interest, or

ii premises used for the purposes of a funfair or other entertainment, recreation or amusement, and

b they are not associated with any other railway premises.

7B For the purposes of subsection (7A)—

a a network situated as described in subsection (7A)(a) is associated with other railway premises if it is connected to another network (not being a network situated as described in subsection (7A)(a));

b track that is situated as described in subsection (7A)(a) but is not part of a network is associated with other railway premises if it is connected to track that forms part of a network (not being a network situated as described in subsection (7A)(a));

c a station or light maintenance depot situated as described in subsection (7A)(a) is associated with other railway premises if it is used in connection with the provision of railway services other than services provided wholly within the premises where it is situated.

In this subsection “light maintenance depot”, “network”, “railway services”, “station” and “track” have the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Railways Act 1993.

7C In this Part “relevant industrial, trade or business premises” means premises that are industrial, trade or business premises as defined in subsection (7), but excluding—

a land used as arable, grazing, meadow or pasture land,

b land used as osier land, reed beds or woodland,

c land used for market gardens, nursery grounds or orchards,

d land forming part of an agricultural unit, not being land falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (c), where the land is of a description prescribed by regulations made by the appropriate person, and

e land included in a site of special scientific interest (as defined in section 52(1) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981),

and excluding land covered by, and the waters of, any river or watercourse, that is neither a sewer nor a drain, or any lake or pond.

7D For the purposes of subsection (7C)—

“agricultural” has the same meaning as in section 109 of the Agriculture Act 1947;
“agricultural unit” means land which is occupied as a unit for agricultural purposes;
“drain” has the same meaning as in the Water Resources Act 1991;
“lake or pond” has the same meaning as in section 104 of that Act;
“sewer” has the same meaning as in that Act.

8 Where, by an order under section 2 of the ^M50Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, a port health authority has been constituted for any port health district, or in Scotland where by an order under section 172 of the ^M51Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 a port local authority or a joint port local authority has been constituted for the whole or part of a port, the port health authority , port local authority or joint port local authority, as the case may be shall have by virtue of this subsection, as respects its district, the functions conferred or imposed by this Part in relation to statutory nuisances other than a nuisance falling within paragraph (fb),(g) or (ga) of subsection (1) above and no such order shall be made assigning those functions; and “local authority” and “area” shall be construed accordingly.

9 In this Part “best practicable means” is to be interpreted by reference to the following provisions—

a “practicable” means reasonably practicable having regard among other things to local conditions and circumstances, to the current state of technical knowledge and to the financial implications;

b the means to be employed include the design, installation, maintenance and manner and periods of operation of plant and machinery, and the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and structures;

c the test is to apply only so far as compatible with any duty imposed by law;

d the test is to apply only so far as compatible with safety and safe working conditions, and with the exigencies of any emergency or unforeseeable circumstances;

and, in circumstances where a code of practice under section 71 of the ^M52Control of Pollution Act 1974 (noise minimisation) is applicable, regard shall also be had to guidance given in it.

10 A local authority shall not without the consent of the Secretary of State institute summary proceedings under this Part in respect of a nuisance falling within paragraph (b), (d) , (e) , (fb) or (g)and, in relation to Scotland, paragraph (ga), of subsection (1) above if proceedings in respect thereof might be instituted under Part I of the ^M47Alkali &c. Works Regulation Act 1906 or section 5 of the ^M48Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.or under regulations under section 2 of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999.

11 The area of a local authority which includes part of the seashore shall also include for the purposes of this Part the territorial sea lying seawards from that part of the shore; and subject to subsection (12) and , in relation to England and Wales, section 81A(9) below, this Part shall have effect, in relation to any area included in the area of a local authority by virtue of this subsection—

a as if references to premises and the occupier of premises included respectively a vessel and the master of a vessel; and

b with such other modifications, if any, as are prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

12 A vessel powered by steam reciprocating machinery is not a vessel to which this Part of this Act applies.

^E5^E4380 Summary proceedings for statutory nuisances.¶

1 Subject to subsection (2A) where a local authority is satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists, or is likely to occur or recur, in the area of the authority, the local authority shall serve a notice (“an abatement notice”) imposing all or any of the following requirements—

a requiring the abatement of the nuisance or prohibiting or restricting its occurrence or recurrence;

b requiring the execution of such works, and the taking of such other steps, as may be necessary for any of those purposes,

and the notice shall specify the time or times within which the requirements of the notice are to be complied with.

2 Subject to section 80A(1) below, the abatement notice shall be served—

a except in a case falling within paragraph (b) or (c) below, on the person responsible for the nuisance;

b where the nuisance arises from any defect of a structural character, on the owner of the premises;

c where the person responsible for the nuisance cannot be found or the nuisance has not yet occurred, on the owner or occupier of the premises.

2A Where a local authority is satisfied that a statutory nuisance falling within paragraph (g) of section 79(1) above exists, or is likely to occur or recur, in the area of the authority, the authority shall—

a serve an abatement notice in respect of the nuisance in accordance with subsections (1) and (2) above; or

b take such other steps as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of persuading the appropriate person to abate the nuisance or prohibit or restrict its occurrence or recurrence.

2B If a local authority has taken steps under subsection (2A)(b) above and either of the conditions in subsection (2C) below is satisfied, the authority shall serve an abatement notice in respect of the nuisance.

2C The conditions are—

a that the authority is satisfied at any time before the end of the relevant period that the steps taken will not be successful in persuading the appropriate person to abate the nuisance or prohibit or restrict its occurrence or recurrence;

b that the authority is satisfied at the end of the relevant period that the nuisance continues to exist, or continues to be likely to occur or recur, in the area of the authority.

2D The relevant period is the period of seven days starting with the day on which the authority was first satisfied that the nuisance existed, or was likely to occur or recur.

2E The appropriate person is the person on whom the authority would otherwise be required under subsection (2A)(a) above to serve an abatement notice in respect of the nuisance.

3 A person served with an abatement notice may appeal against the notice to a magistrates’ court or in Scotland, the sheriff within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date on which he was served with the notice.

^C374 If a person on whom an abatement notice is served, without reasonable excuse, contravenes or fails to comply with any requirement or prohibition imposed by the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence.

5 Except in a case falling within subsection (6) below, a person who commits an offence under subsection (4) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale together with a further fine of an amount equal to one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale for each day on which the offence continues after the conviction.

6 A person who commits an offence under subsection (4) above on industrial, trade or business premises shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine.

7 Subject to subsection (8) below, in any proceedings for an offence under subsection (4) above in respect of a statutory nuisance it shall be a defence to prove that the best practicable means were used to prevent, or to counteract the effects of, the nuisance.

8 The defence under subsection (7) above is not available—

a in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (a), (d), (e), (f) , (fa) or (g) of section 79(1) above except where the nuisance arises on industrial, trade or business premises;

aza in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (fb) of section 79(1) above except where—

i the artificial light is emitted from industrial, trade or business premises, or

ii the artificial light (not being light to which sub-paragraph (i) applies) is emitted by lights used for the purpose only of illuminating an outdoor relevant sports facility;

aa in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (ga) of section 79(1) above except where the noise is emitted from or caused by a vehicle, machinery or equipment being used for industrial, trade or business purposes;

b in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (b) of section 79(1) above except where the smoke is emitted from a chimney; and

c in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (c) or (h) of section 79(1) above.

8A For the purposes of subsection (8)(aza) a relevant sports facility is an area, with or without structures, that is used when participating in a relevant sport, but does not include such an area comprised in domestic premises.

8B For the purposes of subsection (8A) “relevant sport” means a sport that is designated for those purposes by order made by the Secretary of State, in relation to England, or the National Assembly for Wales, in relation to Wales.A sport may be so designated by reference to its appearing in a list maintained by a body specified in the order.

8C In subsection (8A) “domestic premises” means—

a premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling, or

b land or other premises belonging to, or enjoyed with, premises so used.

9 In proceedings for an offence under subsection (4) above in respect of a statutory nuisance falling within paragraph (g) or (ga)of section 79(1) above where the offence consists in contravening requirements imposed by virtue of subsection (1)(a) above it shall be a defence to prove—

a that the alleged offence was covered by a notice served under section 60 or a consent given under section 61 or 65 of the ^M53Control of Pollution Act 1974 (construction sites, etc); or

b where the alleged offence was committed at a time when the premises were subject to a notice under section 66 of that Act (noise reduction notice), that the level of noise emitted from the premises at that time was not such as to a constitute a contravention of the notice under that section; or

c where the alleged offence was committed at a time when the premises were not subject to a notice under section 66 of that Act, and when a level fixed under section 67 of that Act (new buildings liable to abatement order) applied to the premises, that the level of noise emitted from the premises at that time did not exceed that level.

10 Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (9) above apply whether or not the relevant notice was subject to appeal at the time when the offence was alleged to have been committed.

80ZA Fixed penalty notice: supplemental¶

1 This section applies to a fixed penalty notice given under section 80(4A).

2 A fixed penalty notice must give reasonable particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence.

3 A fixed penalty notice must also state—

a the amount of the fixed penalty;

b the period within which it may be paid;

c the—

i person to whom; and

ii address at which,

payment may be made;

d the method or methods by which payment may be made;

e the consequences of not making a payment within the period for payment.

4 The amount of the fixed penalty under section 80(4A) is—

a in the case of a nuisance relating to industrial, trade or business premises, £400;

b in any other case, £150.

5 The period for payment of the fixed penalty is 14 days beginning with the day after the day on which the notice is given.

6 The local authority may extend the period for paying the fixed penalty in any particular case if they consider it appropriate to do so by sending notice to the person to whom the fixed penalty notice was given.

7 No proceedings for an offence under section 80(4) may be commenced before the end of the period for payment of the fixed penalty.

8 In proceedings for an offence under section 80(4), a certificate which—

a purports to be signed by or on behalf of a person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the local authority; and

b states that payment of the amount specified in the fixed penalty notice was or was not received by the expiry of the period within which that fixed penalty may be paid,

is sufficient evidence of the facts stated.

9 Where proceedings for an offence in respect of which a fixed penalty notice has been given are commenced, the notice is to be treated as withdrawn.

10 Any sum received by a local authority under section 80(4A) accrues to that authority.

11 The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations—

a provide that fixed penalty notices may not be given in such circumstances as may be prescribed;

b provide for the form of a fixed penalty notice;

c provide for the method or methods by which fixed penalties may be paid;

d modify subsection (4)(a) or (b) above so as to substitute a different amount (not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale) for the amount for the time being specified there;

e provide for the amount of the fixed penalty to be different in different cases or descriptions of case;

f modify subsection (5) above so as to substitute a different period for the period for the time being specified there;

g provide for the keeping of accounts, and the preparation and publication of statements of account relating to fixed penalties under section 80(4A).

12 Before making regulations under subsection (11) above, the Scottish Ministers must consult, in so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so, the persons mentioned in subsection (13) below.

13 Those persons are—

a such associations of local authorities; and

b such other persons,

as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

^E6^C38^C9180A Abatement notice in respect of noise in street.¶

1 In the case of a statutory nuisance within section 79(1)(ga) above that—

a has not yet occurred, or

b arises from noise emitted from or caused by an unattended vehicle or unattended machinery or equipment,

the abatement notice shall be served in accordance with subsection (2) below.

2 The notice shall be served—

a where the person responsible for the vehicle, machinery or equipment can be found, on that person;

b where that person cannot be found or where the local authority determines that this paragraph should apply, by fixing the notice to the vehicle, machinery or equipment.

3 Where—

a an abatement notice is served in accordance with subsection (2)(b) above by virtue of a determination of the local authority, and

b the person responsible for the vehicle, machinery or equipment can be found and served with a copy of the notice within an hour of the notice being fixed to the vehicle, machinery or equipment,

a copy of the notice shall be served on that person accordingly.

4 Where an abatement notice is served in accordance with subsection (2)(b) above by virtue of a determination of the local authority, the notice shall state that, if a copy of the notice is subsequently served under subsection (3) above, the time specified in the notice as the time within which its requirements are to be complied with is extended by such further period as is specified in the notice.

5 Where an abatement notice is served in accordance with subsection (2)(b) above, the person responsible for the vehicle, machinery or equipment may appeal against the notice under section 80(3) above as if he had been served with the notice on the date on which it was fixed to the vehicle, machinery or equipment.

6 Section 80(4) above shall apply in relation to a person on whom a copy of an abatement notice is served under subsection (3) above as if the copy were the notice itself.

7 A person who removes or interferes with a notice fixed to a vehicle, machinery or equipment in accordance with subsection (2)(b) above shall be guilty of an offence, unless he is the person responsible for the vehicle, machinery or equipment or he does so with the authority of that person.

8 A person who commits an offence under subsection (7) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

^E60^E7^C9281 Supplementary provisions.¶

1 Subject to subsection (1A) below, where more than one person is responsible for a statutory nuisance section 80 above shall apply to each of those persons whether or not what any one of them is responsible for would by itself amount to a nuisance.

1A In relation to a statutory nuisance within section 79(1)(ga) above for which more than one person is responsible (whether or not what any one of those persons is responsible for would by itself amount to such a nuisance), section 80(2)(a) above shall apply with the substitution of “any one of the persons” for “the person”.

1B In relation to a statutory nuisance within section 79(1)(ga) above caused by noise emitted from or caused by an unattended vehicle or unattended machinery or equipment for which more than one person is responsible, section 80A above shall apply with the substitution—

a in subsection (2)(a), of “any of the persons” for “the person” and of “one such person” for “that person”,

b in subsection (2)(b), of “such a person” for “that person”,

c in subsection (3), of “any of the persons” for “the person” and of “one such person” for “that person”,

d in subsection (5), of “any person” for “the person”, and

e in subsection (7), of “a person” for “the person” and of “such a person” for “that person”.

2 Where a statutory nuisance which exists or has occurred within the area of a local authority, or which has affected any part of that area, appears to the local authority to be wholly or partly caused by some act or default committed or taking place outside the area, the local authority may act under section 80 above as if the act or default were wholly within that area, except that any appeal shall be heard by a magistrates’ court or in Scotland, the sheriff having jurisdiction where the act or default is alleged to have taken place.

^C393 Where an abatement notice has not been complied with the local authority may, whether or not they take proceedings for an offence or, in Scotland, whether or not proceedings have been taken for an offence, under section 80(4) above, abate the nuisance and do whatever may be necessary in execution of the notice.

4 Any expenses reasonably incurred by a local authority in abating, or preventing the recurrence of, a statutory nuisance under subsection (3) above may be recovered by them from the person by whose act or default the nuisance was caused and, if that person is the owner of the premises, from any person who is for the time being the owner thereof; and the court or sheriff may apportion the expenses between persons by whose acts or defaults the nuisance is caused in such manner as the court consider or sheriff considers fair and reasonable.

5 If a local authority is of opinion that proceedings for an offence under section 80(4) above would afford an inadequate remedy in the case of any statutory nuisance , they may, subject to subsection (6) below, take proceedings in the High Court or, in Scotland, in any court of competent jurisdiction, for the purpose of securing the abatement, prohibition or restriction of the nuisance, and the proceedings shall be maintainable notwithstanding the local authority have suffered no damage from the nuisance.

6 In any proceedings under subsection (5) above in respect of a nuisance falling within paragraph (g) or (ga)of section 79(1) above, it shall be a defence to prove that the noise was authorised by a notice under section 60 or a consent under section 61 (construction sites) of the ^M54Control of Pollution Act 1974.

7 The further supplementary provisions in Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect.

81A Expenses recoverable from owner to be a charge on premises.¶

1 Where any expenses are recoverable under section 81(4) above from a person who is the owner of the premises there mentioned and the local authority serves a notice on him under this section—

a the expenses shall carry interest, at such reasonable rate as the local authority may determine, from the date of service of the notice until the whole amount is paid, and

b subject to the following provisions of this section, the expenses and accrued interest shall be a charge on the premises.

2 A notice served under this section shall—

a specify the amount of the expenses that the local authority claims is recoverable,

b state the effect of subsection (1) above and the rate of interest determined by the local authority under that subsection, and

c state the effect of subsections (4) to (6) below.

3 On the date on which a local authority serves a notice on a person under this section the authority shall also serve a copy of the notice on every other person who, to the knowledge of the authority, has an interest in the premises capable of being affected by the charge.

4 Subject to any order under subsection (7)(b) or (c) below, the amount of any expenses specified in a notice under this section and the accrued interest shall be a charge on the premises—

a as from the end of the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date of service of the notice, or

b where an appeal is brought under subsection (6) below, as from the final determination of the appeal,

until the expenses and interest are recovered.

5 For the purposes of subsection (4) above, the withdrawal of an appeal has the same effect as a final determination of the appeal.

6 A person served with a notice or copy of a notice under this section may appeal against the notice to the county court within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the date of service.

7 On such an appeal the court may—

a confirm the notice without modification,

b order that the notice is to have effect with the substitution of a different amount for the amount originally specified in it, or

c order that the notice is to be of no effect.

8 A local authority shall, for the purpose of enforcing a charge under this section, have all the same powers and remedies under the ^M55Law 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 of appointing a receiver.

9 In this section—

“owner”, in relation to any premises, means a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who, whether in his own right or as trustee for any other person, is entitled to receive the rack rent of the premises or, where the premises are not let at a rack rent, would be so entitled if they were so let, and
“premises” does not include a vessel.

10 This section does not apply to Scotland.

^F18881B Payment of expenses by instalments.¶

1 Where any expenses are a charge on premises under section 81A above, the local authority may by order declare the expenses to be payable with interest by instalments within the specified period, until the whole amount is paid.

2 In subsection (1) above—

“interest” means interest at the rate determined by the authority under section 81A (1) above, and
“the specified period” means such period of thirty years or less from the date of service of the notice under section 81A above as is specified in the order.

3 Subject to subsection (5) below, the instalments and interest, or any part of them, may be recovered from the owner or occupier for the time being of the premises.

4 Any sums recovered from an occupier may be deducted by him from the rent of the premises.

5 An occupier shall not be required to pay at any one time any sum greater than the aggregate of—

a the amount that was due from him on account of rent at the date on which he was served with a demand from the local authority together with a notice requiring him not to pay rent to his landlord without deducting the sum demanded, and

b the amount that has become due from him on account of rent since that date.

6 This section does not apply to Scotland.

^E8^C4082 Summary proceedings by persons aggrieved by statutory nuisances.¶

^C41^C205^C3021 A magistrates’ court may act under this section on a complaint or, in Scotland, the sheriff may act under this section on a summary application, made by any person on the ground that he is aggrieved by the existence of a statutory nuisance.

^C116^C115^C42^C71^C117^C118^C119^C123^C124^C130^C131^C156^C208^C241^C220^C180^C283^C203^C147^C185^C317^C136^C201^C248^C224^C288^C199^C293^C266^C142^C192^C139^C215^C237^C305^C165^C184^C167^C294^C200^C154^C183^C191^C243^C194^C166^C280^C193^C175^C303^C189^C312^C190^C287^C160^C260^C141^C278^C257^C227^C307^C211^C146^C285^C168^C282^C218^C196^C286^C182^C159^C265^C245^C157^C197^C297^C292^C233^C158^C235^C212^C229^C140^C254^C176^C262^C164^C213^C174^C284^C281^C321^C246^C226^C204^C186^C236^C133^C267^C181^C155^C239^C289^C311^C234^C299^C309^C145^C270^C223^C151^C334^C255^C244^C143^C325^C272^C153^C259^C187^C252^C232^C206^C144^C172^C310^C331^C300^C177^C195^C251^C170^C216^C323^C316^C163^C315^C279^C314^C247^C298^C149^C269^C250^C313^C219^C308^C150^C238^C169^C274^C162^C137^C221^C209^C275^C253^C230^C225^C318^C217^C273^C301^C148^C261^C179^C320^C222^C202^C249^C171^C132^C328^C304^C322^C319^C231^C330^C1352 If the magistrates’ court or, in Scotland, the sheriff is satisfied that the alleged nuisance exists, or that although abated it is likely to recur on the same premises or, in the case of a nuisance within section 79(1)(ga) above, in the same street or, in Scotland, road, the court or the sheriff shall make an order for either or both of the following purposes—

a requiring the defendant or, in Scotland, defender to abate the nuisance, within a time specified in the order, and to execute any works necessary for that purpose;

^C188b prohibiting a recurrence of the nuisance, and requiring the defendant or defender, within a time specified in the order, to execute any works necessary to prevent the recurrence;

and , in England and Wales, may also impose on the defendant a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

3 If the magistrates’ court or the sheriff is satisfied that the alleged nuisance exists and is such as, in the opinion of the court or of the sheriff, to render premises unfit for human habitation, an order under subsection (2) above may prohibit the use of the premises for human habitation until the premises are, to the satisfaction of the court or of the sheriff, rendered fit for that purpose.

4 Proceedings for an order under subsection (2) above shall be brought—

a except in a case falling within paragraph (b), (c) or (d) below, against the person responsible for the nuisance;

b where the nuisance arises from any defect of a structural character, against the owner of the premises;

c where the person responsible for the nuisance cannot be found, against the owner or occupier of the premises.

d in the case of a statutory nuisance within section 79(1)(ga) above caused by noise emitted from or caused by an unattended vehicle or unattended machinery or equipment, against the person responsible for the vehicle, machinery or equipment.

5 Subject to subsection (5A) below, where more than one person is responsible for a statutory nuisance, subsections (1) to (4) above shall apply to each of those persons whether or not what any one of them is responsible for would by itself amount to a nuisance.

5A In relation to a statutory nuisance within section 79(1)(ga) above for which more than one person is responsible (whether or not what any one of those persons is responsible for would by itself amount to such a nuisance), subsection (4)(a) above shall apply with the substitution of “each person responsible for the nuisance who can be found” for “the person responsible for the nuisance”.

5B In relation to a statutory nuisance within section 79(1)(ga) above caused by noise emitted from or caused by an unattended vehicle or unattended machinery or equipment for which more than one person is responsible, subsection (4)(d) above shall apply with the substitution of “any person” for “the person”.

6 Before instituting proceedings for an order under subsection (2) above against any person, the person aggrieved by the nuisance shall give to that person such notice in writing of his intention to bring the proceedings as is applicable to proceedings in respect of a nuisance of that description and the notice shall specify the matter complained of.

7 The notice of the bringing of proceedings in respect of a statutory nuisance required by subsection (6) above which is applicable is—

a in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (g) or (ga) of section 79(1) above, not less than three days’ notice; and

b in the case of a nuisance of any other description, not less than twenty-one days’ notice;

but the Secretary of State may, by order, provide that this subsection shall have effect as if such period as is specified in the order were the minimum period of notice applicable to any description of statutory nuisance specified in the order.

^C438 A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes any requirement or prohibition imposed by an order under subsection (2) above shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale together with a further fine of an amount equal to one-tenth of that level one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale for each day on which the offence continues after the conviction.

9 Subject to subsection (10) below, in any proceedings for an offence under subsection (8) above in respect of a statutory nuisance it shall be a defence to prove that the best practicable means were used to prevent, or to counteract the effects of, the nuisance.

10 The defence under subsection (9) above is not available—

a in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (a), (d), (e), (f) , (fa) or (g) of section 79(1) above except where the nuisance arises on industrial, trade or business premises;

aza in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (fb) of section 79(1) above except where—

i the artificial light is emitted from industrial, trade or business premises, or

ii the artificial light (not being light to which sub-paragraph (i) applies) is emitted by lights used for the purpose only of illuminating an outdoor relevant sports facility;

b in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (b) of section 79(1) above except where the smoke is emitted from a chimney;

c in the case of a nuisance falling within paragraph (c) or (h) of section 79(1) above; and

d in the case of a nuisance which is such as to render the premises unfit for human habitation.

10A For the purposes of subsection (10)(aza) “relevant sports facility” has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of section 80(8)(aza).

11 If a person is convicted of an offence under subsection (8) above, a magistrates’ court or the sheriff may, after giving the local authority in whose area the nuisance has occurred an opportunity of being heard, direct the authority to do anything which the person convicted was required to do by the order to which the conviction relates.

12 Where on the hearing of proceedings for an order under subsection (2) above it is proved that the alleged nuisance existed at the date of the making of the complaint or summary application, then, whether or not at the date of the hearing it still exists or is likely to recur, the court or the sheriff shall order the defendant or defender (or defendants or defenders in such proportions as appears fair and reasonable) to pay to the person bringing the proceedings such amount as the court or the sheriff considers reasonably sufficient to compensate him for any expenses properly incurred by him in the proceedings.

13 If it appears to the magistrates’ court or to the sheriff that neither the person responsible for the nuisance nor the owner or occupier of the premises or (as the case may be) the person responsible for the vehicle, machinery or equipment can be found the court or the sheriff may, after giving the local authority in whose area the nuisance has occurred an opportunity of being heard, direct the authority to do anything which the court or the sheriff would have ordered that person to do.

Statutory nuisances: Scotland¶

^F20583 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

Termination of existing controls over offensive trades and businesses¶

84 Termination of Public Health Act controls over offensive trades etc.¶

1 Where a person carries on, in the area or part of the area of any local authority—

a in England or Wales, a trade which—

i is an offensive trade within the meaning of section 107 of the ^M56Public Health Act 1936 in that area or part of that area, and

ii constitutes a prescribed process designated for local control for the carrying on of which an authorisation is required under section 6 of this Act; or

b in Scotland, a business which—

i is mentioned in section 32(1) of the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 (or is an offensive business by virtue of that section) in that area or part of that area; and

ii constitutes a prescribed process designated for local control for the carrying on of which an authorisation is required under the said section 6,

subsection (2) below shall have effect in relation to that trade or business as from the date on which an authorisation is granted under section 6 of this Act or, if that person has not applied for such an authorisation within the period allowed under section 2(1) above for making applications under that section, as from the end of that period.

2 Where this subsection applies in relation to the trade or business carried on by any person—

a nothing in section 107 of the Public Health Act 1936 or in section 32 of the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 shall apply in relation to it, and

b no byelaws or further byelaws made under section 108(2) of the said Act of 1936, or under subsection (2) of the said section 32, with respect to a trade or business of that description shall apply in relation to it;

but without prejudice to the continuance of, and imposition of any penalty in, any proceedings under the said section 107 or the said section 32 which were instituted before the date as from which this subsection has effect in relation to the trade or business.

3 Subsection (2)(b) above shall apply in relation to the trade of fish frying as it applies in relation to an offensive trade.

4 When the Secretary of State considers it expedient to do so, having regard to the operation of Part I and the preceding provisions of this Part of this Act in relation to offensive trades or businesses, he may by order repeal—

a sections 107 and 108 of the ^M57Public Health Act 1936; and

b section 32 of the ^M58Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897;

and different days may be so appointed in relation to trades or businesses which constitute prescribed processes and those which do not.

5 In this section—

“prescribed process” has the same meaning as in Part I of this Act; and
“offensive trade” or “trade” has the same meaning as in section 107 of the Public Health Act 1936.

Application to gases of certain Clean Air Act provisions¶

^F20685 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^C44^C45 Part IV Litter Etc¶

Provisions relating to litter¶

^I2986 Preliminary.¶

1 The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Part.

2 In England and Wales the following are “principal litter authorities”—

a a county council,

aa a county borough council,

b a district council,

c a London borough council,

d the Common Council of the City of London, and

e the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

but the Secretary of State may, by order, designate other descriptions of local authorities as litter authorities for the purposes of this Part; and any such authority shall also be a principal litter authority.

3 In Scotland the following are “principal litter authorities”—

a a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994

c a joint board.

4 Subject to subsection (8) below, land is “relevant land” of a principal litter authority if, not being relevant land falling within subsection (7) below, it is open to the air and is land (but not a highway or in Scotland a public road) which is under the direct control of such an authority to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or without payment.

5 Land is “Crown land” if it is land—

a occupied by the Crown Estate Commissioners as part of the Crown Estate,

b occupied by or for the purposes of a government department or for naval, military or air force purposes, or

c occupied or managed by any body acting on behalf of the Crown;

is “relevant Crown land” if it is Crown land which is open to the air and is land (but not a highway or in Scotland a public road) to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or without payment; and “the appropriate Crown authority” for any Crown land is the Crown Estate Commissioners, the Minister in charge of the government department or the body which occupies or manages the land on the Crown’s behalf, as the case may be.

6 Subject to subsection (8) below, land is “relevant land” of a designated statutory undertaker if it is land which is under the direct control of any statutory undertaker or statutory undertaker of any description which may be designated by the Secretary of State, by order, for the purposes of this Part, being land to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or without payment or, in such cases as may be prescribed in the designation order, land in relation to which the public have no such right or permission.

7 Subject to subsection (8) below, land is “relevant land” of a designated educational institution if it is open to the air and is land which is under the direct control of the governing body of or, in Scotland, of such body or of the education authority responsible for the management of, any educational institution or educational institution of any description which may be designated by the Secretary of State, by order, for the purposes of this Part.

8 The Secretary of State may, by order, designate descriptions of land which are not to be treated as relevant Crown land or as relevant land of principal litter authorities, of designated statutory undertakers or of designated educational institutions or of any description of any of them.

9 Every highway maintainable at the public expense other than a trunk road which is a special road is a “relevant highway” and the local authority which is, for the purposes of this Part, “responsible” for so much of it as lies within its area is, subject to any order under subsection (11) below—

a in Greater London, the council of the London borough or the Common Council of the City of London;

b in Englandoutside Greater London, the council of the district;

^F210bb in Wales, the council of the county or county borough; and

c the Council of the Isles of Scilly.

10 In Scotland, every public road other than a trunk road which is a special road is a “relevant road” and the local authority which is, for the purposes of this Part, “responsible” for so much of it as lies within theirarea is, subject to any order under subsection (11) below, the council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

11 The Secretary of State may, by order, as respects relevant highways or relevant roads, relevant highways or relevant roads of any class or any part of a relevant highway or relevant road specified in the order, transfer the responsibility for the discharge of the duties imposed by section 89 below from the local authority to the highway or roads authority; but he shall not make an order under this subsection unless—

a (except where he is the highway or roads authority) he is requested to do so by the highway or roads authority;

b he consults the local authority; and

c it appears to him to be necessary or expedient to do so in order to prevent or minimise interference with the passage or with the safety of traffic along the highway or, in Scotland, road in question;

and where, by an order under this subsection, responsibility for the discharge of those duties is transferred, the authority to which the transfer is made is, for the purposes of this Part, “responsible” for the highway, road or part specified in the order.

12 Land is “relevant land within a litter control area of a local authority” if it is land included in an area designated by the local authority under section 90 below to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access with or without payment.

13 A place on land shall be treated as “open to the air” notwithstanding that it is covered if it is open to the air on at least one side.

14 The Secretary of State may, by order, apply the provisions of this Part which apply to refuse to any description of animal droppings in all or any prescribed circumstances subject to such modifications as appear to him to be necessary.

15 Any power under this section may be exercised differently as respects different areas, different descriptions of land or for different circumstances.

^C110^I30^C46^E5387 Offence of leaving litter.¶

1 A person is guilty of an offence if he throws down, drops or otherwise deposits any litter in any place to which this section applies and leaves it.

2 This section applies to any place in the area of a principal litter authority which is open to the air, subject to subsection (3) below.

3 This section does not apply to a place which is “open to the air” for the purposes of this Part by virtue of section 86(13) above if the public does not have access to it, with or without payment.

4 It is immaterial for the purposes of this section whether the litter is deposited on land or in water.

4A No offence is committed under subsection (1) above where the depositing of the litter is—

a authorised by law; or

b done by or with the consent of the owner, occupier or other person having control of the place where it is deposited.

4B A person may only give consent under subsection (4A)(b) above in relation to the depositing of litter in a lake or pond or watercourse if he is the owner, occupier or other person having control of—

a all the land adjoining that lake or pond or watercourse; and

b all the land through or into which water in that lake or pond or watercourse directly or indirectly discharges, otherwise than by means of a public sewer.

4C In subsection (4B) above, “lake or pond”, “watercourse” and “public sewer” have the same meanings as in section 104 of the Water Resources Act 1991.

4D No proceedings may be instituted for an offence under subsection (1) which is a littering offence in respect of a vehicle within the meaning of section 88A(2) if—

a a penalty notice has been given under section 88A to the keeper of the vehicle in respect of which the offence was committed, and

b the fixed penalty has been paid or recovered in full.

5 A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

6 A local authority, with a view to promoting the abatement of litter, may take such steps as the authority think appropriate for making the effect of subsection (5) above known to the public in their area.

7 In any proceedings in Scotland for an offence under this section it shall be lawful to convict the accused on the evidence of one witness.

^C111^I31^C81^C72^E4488 Fixed penalty notices for leaving litter.¶

1 Where on any occasion an authorised officer of a litter authority finds a person who he has reason to believe has on that occasion committed an offence under section 87 above in the area of that authority, he may give that person a notice offering him the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for that offence by payment of a fixed penalty.

2 Where a person is given a notice under this section in respect of an offence—

a no proceedings shall be instituted for that offence before the expiration of fourteen days following the date of the notice; and

b he shall not be convicted of that offence if he pays the fixed penalty before the expiration of that period.

3 A notice under this section shall give such particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information of the offence and shall state—

a the period during which, by virtue of subsection (2) above, proceedings will not be taken for the offence;

b the amount of the fixed penalty; and

c the person to whom and the address at which the fixed penalty may be paid;

and, without prejudice to payment by any other method, payment of the fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting to that person at that address a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise).

4 Where a letter is sent in accordance with subsection (3) above payment shall be regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

5 The form of notices under this section shall be such as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

6 The fixed penalty payable in pursuance of a notice under this section is payable to the litter authority whose authorised officer gave the notice.

6A The amount of a fixed penalty payable in pursuance of a notice under this section—

a is the amount specified by a principal litter authority in relation to its area (whether the penalty is payable to that or another authority), or

b if no amount is so specified, is—

i in England, £100, or

ii in Wales, £75.

6B The reference in subsection (6A) above to a principal litter authority does not include an English county council for an area for which there is also a district council.

7 The litter authority to which a fixed penalty is payable under this section may make provision for treating it as having been paid if a lesser amount is paid before the end of a period specified by the authority.

8 In any proceedings a certificate which—

a purports to be signed by or on behalf of—

i in England and Wales, the chief finance officer of the litter authority; or

ii in Scotland, the proper officer; and

b states that payment of a fixed penalty was or was not received by a date specified in the certificate,

shall be evidence of the facts stated.

8A If an authorised officer of a litter authority proposes to give a person a notice under this section, the officer may require the person to give him his name and address.

8B A person commits an offence if—

a he fails to give his name and address when required to do so under subsection (8A) above, or

b he gives a false or inaccurate name or address in response to a requirement under that subsection.

8C A person guilty of an offence under subsection (8B) above is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

9 For the purposes of this section the following are “litter authorities”—

a any principal litter authority, other than an English county council , a regional council or a joint board;

b any English county council , regional council or joint board designated by the Secretary of State, by order, in relation to such area as is specified in the order (not being an area in a National Park);

^F214c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F214d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

e the Broads Authority.

f a parish or community council.

10 In this section—

“authorised officer”, in relation to a litter authority, means—
1. an employee of the authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving notices under this section;
2. any person who, in pursuance of arrangements made with the authority, has the function of giving such notices and is authorised in writing by the authority to perform that function; and
3. any employee of such a person who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purpose of giving such notices;
“chief finance officer”, in relation to a litter authority, means the person having responsibility for the financial affairs of the authority;
^F215 . . .
^F215. . .
“proper officer” means the officer who has, as respects the authority, the responsibility mentioned in section 95 of the ^M59Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (financial administration).

11 The appropriate person may by regulations provide that—

a an authorised officer of a litter authority must meet such conditions as may be prescribed in the regulations;

b if an authorised officer of a litter authority fails to meet any such condition, the authority must revoke the officer’s authorisation.

12 Regulations under subsection (11) may make different provision for different cases.

13 Before making regulations under subsection (11), the appropriate person must consult such persons as the appropriate person thinks appropriate.

88A Littering from vehicles: civil penalty regime¶

1 The Secretary of State may make regulations under which the keeper of a vehicle may be required to pay a fixed penalty to a litter authority where there is reason to believe that a littering offence in England has been committed in respect of the vehicle.

2 A littering offence is committed in respect of a vehicle if an offence under section 87(1) occurs as a result of litter being thrown, dropped or otherwise deposited from the vehicle (whether or not by the vehicle's keeper).

3 Regulations under this section must make provision—

a setting the amount of fixed penalties or specifying how the amount is to be determined;

b about the period within which fixed penalties must be paid;

c for payment within that period of a fixed penalty imposed for a littering offence committed in respect of a vehicle to discharge any liability for conviction for the offence (whether on the part of the keeper or anybody else);

d for a fixed penalty to be payable by the keeper of a vehicle only if a written notice is given to the keeper (“a penalty notice”);

e about the persons authorised to give penalty notices;

f about the procedure to be followed in giving penalty notices;

g about the form and content of penalty notices;

h conferring rights to make representations about, and to bring appeals against, penalty notices.

4 Provision under subsection (3)(e) may authorise a person to give a penalty notice for a littering offence committed in respect of a vehicle only if—

a the person is under a duty under section 89(1) in respect of the land where the offence is committed (and that person is a “litter authority” in relation to a fixed penalty payable under the regulations), or

b the person is an authorised officer of a litter authority,

and regulations under this section may include provision about the meaning of “authorised officer”.

5 Regulations under this section may include provision—

a for the enforcement of penalty notices (and such provision may in particular authorise an unpaid fixed penalty to be recovered summarily as a civil debt or as if payable under an order of a court if the court so orders);

b about the application of sums paid under penalty notices (and such provision may in particular authorise sums paid to a litter authority to be applied for the purposes of such functions of the authority as the regulations may specify);

c about the application of the regulations to keepers of vehicles in the public service of the Crown.

6 Regulations under this section may, in consequence of any provision contained in the regulations, amend—

a this Part, or

b Part 2 of the London Local Authorities Act 2007.

7 Regulations under this section may—

a make provision corresponding or similar to any provision made by or under section 88;

b make provision subject to exceptions;

c include saving, transitional, transitory, supplementary or consequential provision.

8 Provision of the kind mentioned in subsection (7)(a) may include provision—

a conferring a discretion on a litter authority, subject to such constraints or limitations as the regulations may specify (whether or not of a corresponding or similar kind to those mentioned in section 97A(2));

b creating an offence of the kind mentioned in section 88(8B) and (8C),

but may not include provision conferring power on a person to make orders or regulations.

9 In this section—

“keeper”, in relation to a vehicle, means the person by whom the vehicle is kept at the time when the littering offence in question occurs, which in the case of a registered vehicle is to be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to be the registered keeper;
“litter authority” has the meaning given in subsection (4)(a);
“registered keeper”, in relation to a registered vehicle, means the person in whose name the vehicle is registered;
“registered vehicle” means a vehicle which is for the time being registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994;
“vehicle” means a mechanically-propelled vehicle or a vehicle designed or adapted for towing by a mechanically-propelled vehicle.

88B Guidance on littering enforcement in England and Wales¶

1 The appropriate person may issue guidance to litter authorities on the exercise of littering enforcement functions by those authorities and authorised officers of those authorities.

2 A litter authority must have regard to that guidance when exercising any of its littering enforcement functions.

3 The appropriate person may revise any guidance issued under this section at any time.

4 Before issuing guidance, or revised guidance, under this section the appropriate person must consult such persons as the appropriate person thinks appropriate.

5 The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament and publish guidance, and any revised guidance, issued by the Secretary of State under this section.

6 The Welsh Ministers must lay before Senedd Cymru and publish guidance, and any revised guidance, issued by the Welsh Ministers under this section.

7 In this section—

“authorised officer”, in relation to a litter authority, means a person who is an authorised officer in relation to that authority for the purposes of—
1. section 88 (fixed penalty notices for littering, see subsection (10) of that section),
2. section 88A (fixed penalty notices for littering from vehicles in England, see subsection (4) of that section), or
3. Schedule 3A (distribution of free printed matter, see paragraph 8 of that Schedule);
“littering enforcement function” means—
1. any function of a litter authority, or of an authorised officer of that authority, conferred by or under sections 87 to 88A or Schedule 3A, or
2. any function exercised for purposes connected with any of those sections or that Schedule.

88C Littering from a vehicle: Scottish civil penalty regime¶

1 An authorised officer of a litter authority may impose a civil penalty charge on the keeper of a vehicle if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that—

a an offence of leaving litter under section 87 (“an act of littering”) has been committed from the vehicle, and

b the vehicle was on land within the litter authority’s area at the time that the act of littering was committed.

2 For the purposes of this section, the keeper of a vehicle—

a means the person by whom the vehicle is kept at the time when an act of littering occurs, and

b in the case of a registered vehicle is to be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to be the registered keeper.

3 The keeper's liability to pay a civil penalty charge notice to the authority arises when an authorised officer of a litter authority gives to the keeper written notice requiring payment of the charge (“a civil penalty charge notice”).

4 No civil penalty charge notice may be given—

a after the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the act of littering in question occurred, or

b if action has been taken under section 87 or section 88 against a person in respect of the same act of littering, regardless of—

i whether or not the person is the vehicle’s keeper,

ii whether or not the action is ongoing,

iii the outcome of the action.

5 The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision—

a for the amount that may be imposed as a civil penalty charge,

b for discounts and surcharges,

c as to the purposes for which sums received by an authority by way of civil penalty charge may be used,

d about the form and content of a civil penalty charge notice,

e about the procedure to be followed in giving a civil penalty charge notice,

f conferring rights to make representations about and to bring an appeal against a civil penalty charge notice,

g about the circumstances in which a civil penalty charge notice may or must be cancelled,

h about the procedure to be followed in cancelling a civil penalty charge notice,

i about the refund of sums paid by way of civil penalty charge,

j about exemptions from liability,

k whether and how an authority must keep and publish accounts in respect of sums received by way of civil penalty charge.

6 In this section—

an “authorised officer” means an employee of a litter authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purposes of imposing civil penalty charges under this section,
“litter authority” means—
1. a local authority,
2. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, or
3. such other person as may be specified in regulations by the Scottish Ministers,
“local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994,
“registered keeper”, in relation to a registered vehicle, means the person in whose name the vehicle is registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994,
“registered vehicle” means a vehicle which is registered under that Act,
“vehicle” means a mechanically-propelled vehicle or a vehicle designed or adapted for towing by a mechanically-propelled vehicle.

88D Littering from a vehicle: consequences of civil penalty charge notice under section 88C¶

1 No action may be taken under section 87 or section 88 against a person in respect of an act of littering for which a civil penalty charge notice has been given and paid in full, regardless of whether or not the person who paid it is the vehicle’s keeper.

2 After the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which a civil penalty charge notice is given, any unpaid amount of the charge may be recovered in like manner as an extract registered decree arbitral bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff for any sheriffdom.

^I3289 Duty to keep land and highways clear of litter etc.¶

1 It shall be the duty of—

^C47a each local authority, as respects any relevant highway or, in Scotland, relevant road for which it is responsible,

b the Secretary of State, as respects any trunk road which is a special road (other than one to which paragraph (ba)(i) applies) and any relevant highway or relevant road for which he is responsible,

^C48ba a strategic highways company as respects—

i any trunk road which is a special road for which it is the highway authority, and

ii any relevant highway for which it is responsible,

^C48c each principal litter authority, as respects its relevant land,

d the appropriate Crown authority, as respects its relevant Crown land,

e each designated statutory undertaker, as respects its relevant land, and

^C49f the governing body of each designated educational institution or in Scotland such body or, as the case may be, the education authority responsible for the management of the institution, as respects its relevant land, and

g the occupier of any relevant land within a litter control area of a local authority,

to ensure that the land is, so far as is practicable, kept clear of litter and refuse.

^C502 Subject to subsection (6) below, it shall also be the duty of—

a each local authority, as respects any relevant highway or relevant road for which it is responsible,

b the Secretary of State, as respects any trunk road which is a special road (other than one to which paragraph (c)(i) applies) and any relevant highway or relevant road for which he is responsible,

c a strategic highways company as respects—

i any trunk road which is a special road for which it is the highway authority, and

ii any relevant highway for which it is responsible,

to ensure that the highway or road is, so far as is practicable, kept clean.

3 In determining what standard is required, as respects any description of land, highway or road, for compliance with subsections (1) and (2) above, regard shall be had to the character and use of the land, highway or road as well as the measures which are practicable in the circumstances.

4 Matter of any description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of subsections (1)(a) and (2) above shall be litter or refuse to which the duties imposed by those subsections apply as respects relevant highways or relevant roads whether or not it would be litter or refuse apart from this subsection.

5 It shall be the duty of a local authority, when discharging its duty under subsection (1)(a) or (2) above as respects any relevant highway or relevant road, to place and maintain on the highway or road such traffic signs and barriers as may be necessary for giving warning and preventing danger to traffic or for regulating it and afterwards to remove them as soon as they cease to be necessary for those purposes; but this subsection has effect subject to any directions given under subsection (6) below.

6 In discharging its duty under subsection (1)(a) or (2) above to keep clear of litter and refuse or to clean any relevant highway or relevant road for which it is responsible, the local authority shall comply with any directions given to it by the highway or roads authority with respect to—

a the placing and maintenance of any traffic signs or barriers;

b the days or periods during which clearing or cleaning shall not be undertaken or undertaken to any extent specified in the direction;

and for the purpose of enabling it to discharge its duty under subsection (1)(a) or (2) above as respects any relevant highway or relevant road the local authority may apply to the highway authority or roads authority for that authority to exercise its powers under section 14(1) or (2) of the ^M60Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (temporary prohibition or restriction of traffic).

6A The Scottish Ministers may give to any person subject to a duty imposed by subsection (1) or (2) above such directions as they consider necessary or expedient for securing compliance by such person with such duty.

6B A person to whom a direction is given under subsection (6A) shall comply with the direction.

6C A direction under subsection (6A) may—

a be given generally or to a specific person;

b make different provision for different persons and different cases or circumstances;

c include provision specifying, in relation to any factor by reference to which a person’s discharging of any such duty can be measured, standards to be met by the person.

6D The Scottish Ministers shall—

a cause—

i any direction under subsection (6A) above; and

ii any variation or revocation of such a direction,

to be published; and

b cause copies of each such direction, variation or revocation to be made available to the public.

7 The Secretary of State shall prepare and issue a code of practice for the purpose of providing practical guidance on the discharge of the duties imposed by subsections (1) and (2) above.

8 Different codes of practice may be prepared and issued under subsection (7) above for different areas.

9 The Secretary of State may issue modifications of, or withdraw, a code issued under subsection (7) above; but where a code is withdrawn, he shall prepare and issue a new code under that subsection in substitution for it.

10 Any person subject to any duty imposed by subsection (1) or (2) above shall have regard to the code of practice in force under subsection (7) above in discharging that duty.

11 A draft code prepared under subsection (7) above shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall not be issued until after the end of the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the code was so laid, or if the draft is laid on different days, the later of the two days.

12 If, within the period mentioned in subsection (11) above, either House resolves that the code the draft of which was laid before it should not be issued, the Secretary of State shall not issue that code.

13 No account shall be taken in reckoning any period of 40 days for the purposes of subsection (11) above of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

13A Subsections (11) to (13) shall not apply in respect of a draft code prepared under subsection (7) above which relates only to Scotland and such a code shall be laid before the Scottish Parliament and shall not be issued until after the end of the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the code was so laid.

13B If within the period mentioned in subsection (13A) above the Scottish Parliament resolves that the code, the draft of which was laid before it, should not be issued the Scottish Ministers shall not issue that code.

13C No account shall be taken in reckoning any period of 40 days for the purposes of subsection (13A) above of any time during which the Scottish Parliament is dissolved or is in recess for more than 4 days.

14 In this section “traffic sign” has the meaning given in section 64(1) of the ^M61Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

^I33^E990 Litter control areas.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, by order, prescribe descriptions of land which may be designated under subsection (3) below as, or as part of, a litter control area.

2 The power of the Secretary of State to prescribe descriptions of land under subsection (1) above includes power to describe land by reference to the ownership or occupation of the land or the activities carried on on it.

3 Any principal litter authority other than an English county council, a[^F221regional council] or ajoint board may, in accordance with the following provisions of this section, by order designate any land in their area as, or as part of, a litter control area.

4 No order under subsection (3) above designating any land shall be made unless the authority is of the opinion that, by reason of the presence of litter or refuse, the condition of the land is, and unless they make a designation order is likely to continue to be, such as to be detrimental to the amenities of the locality.

5 The power to make a designation order under subsection (3) above shall be excluded from the functions to which section 101 of the ^M62Local Government Act 1972 (functions capable of delegation) applies.

6 An authority proposing to make a designation order in relation to any land shall—

a notify persons who appear to the authority to be persons who will be affected by the proposed order;

b give them an opportunity to make representations about it within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the service of the notice; and

c take any representations so made into account in making their decision.

7 A designation order under subsection (3) above shall identify the land to which it applies and shall be in such form as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

^I3491 Summary proceedings by persons aggrieved by litter.¶

1 A magistrates’ court may act under this section on a complaint made by any person on the ground that he is aggrieved by the defacement, by litter or refuse, of—

a any relevant highway;

b any trunk road which is a special road;

c any relevant land of a principal litter authority;

d any relevant Crown land;

e any relevant land of a designated statutory undertaker; or

f any relevant land of a designated educational institution; or

g any relevant land within a litter control area of a local authority.

2 A magistrates’ court may also act under this section on a complaint made by any person on the ground that he is aggrieved by the want of cleanliness of any relevant highway or any trunk road which is a special road.

3 A principal litter authority shall not be treated as a person aggrieved for the purposes of proceedings under this section.

4 Proceedings under this section shall be brought against the person who has the duty to keep the land clear under section 89(1) above or to keep the highway clean under section 89(2) above, as the case may be.

5 Before instituting proceedings under this section against any person, the complainant shall give to the person not less than five days written notice of his intention to make the complaint and the notice shall specify the matter complained of.

6 If the magistrates’ court is satisfied that the highway or land in question is defaced by litter or refuse or, in the case of a highway, is wanting in cleanliness, the court may, subject to subsections (7) and (8) below, make an order (“a litter abatement order”) requiring the defendant to clear the litter or refuse away or, as the case may be, clean the highway within a time specified in the order.

7 The magistrates’ court shall not make a litter abatement order if the defendant proves that he has complied, as respects the highway or land in question, with his duty under section 89(1) and (2) above.

8 The magistrates’ court shall not make a litter abatement order where it appears that the matter complained of is the result of directions given to the local authority under section 89(6) above by the highway authority.

9 A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a litter abatement order shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale together with a further fine of an amount equal to one-twentieth of that level for each day on which the offence continues after the conviction.

10 In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (9) above it shall be a defence for the defendant to prove that he has complied, as respects the highway or land in question, with his duty under section 89(1) and (2) above.

11 A

a direction under section 89(6A); or

b code of practice under section 89(7)

shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this section and if any provision of such a direction or code appears to the court to be relevant to any question in the proceedings it shall be taken into account in determining that question.

12 Where a magistrates’ court is satisfied on the hearing of a complaint under this section—

a that, when the complaint was made to it, the highway or land in question was defaced by litter or refuse or, as the case may be, was wanting in cleanliness, and

b that there were reasonable grounds for bringing the complaint,

the court shall order the defendant to pay such reasonable sum to the complainant as the court may determine in respect of the expenses incurred by the complainant in bringing the complaint and the proceedings before the court.

13 In the application of this section to Scotland—

a for any reference to a magistrates’ court there shall be substituted a reference to the sheriff;

b for any reference to a complaint there shall be substituted a reference to a summary application, and “complainant” shall be construed accordingly;

c for any reference to the defendant there shall be substituted a reference to the person against whom the proceedings are taken;

d for any reference to a highway and a relevant highway there shall be substituted a reference to a road and a relevant road; and

e for any reference to a highway authority there shall be substituted a reference to a roads authority,

and any person against whom proceedings are brought may appeal on a point of law to the Court of Session against the making of a litter abatement order.

92 Summary proceedings by litter authorities¶

1 Where a principal litter authority in Scotland other than a joint board is satisfied as respects—

a any relevant Crown land,

b any relevant land of a designated statutory undertaker,

c any relevant land of a designated educational institution, or

d any relevant land within a litter control area of a local authority,

that it is defaced by litter or refuse or that defacement of it by litter or refuse is likely to recur, the authority shall serve a notice (a “litter abatement notice”) imposing either the requirement or the prohibition or both the requirement and the prohibition specified in subsection (2).

2 The requirement and prohibition referred to in subsection (1) are as follows, namely—

a a requirement that the litter or refuse be cleared within a time specified in the notice;

b a prohibition on permitting the land to become defaced by litter or refuse.

3 The litter abatement notice shall be served—

a as respects relevant Crown land, on the appropriate Crown authority;

b as respects relevant land of a designated statutory undertaker, on the undertaker;

c as respects relevant land of a designated educational institution, on the governing body of the institution or on the education authority responsible for the management of the institution;

d in any other case, on the occupier of the land or, if it is unoccupied, on the owner of the land.

4 The person served with the notice may appeal against the notice to the sheriff by way of application within the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which the notice was served.

5 If, on any appeal under subsection (4), the appellant proves that, as respects the land in question, he has complied with his duty under section 89(1), the court shall allow the appeal.

6 If a person on whom a litter abatement notice is served, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with or contravenes the requirement or prohibition imposed by the notice, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale together with a further fine of an amount equal to one-twentieth of that level for each day on which the offence continues after the conviction.

7 In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (6), it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that he has complied, as respects the land in question, with his duty under section 89(1).

8 A direction under section 89(6A) or a code of practice under section 89(7) shall be admissible in evidence in any proceedings under this section and, if any provision of such a direction or code appears to the court to be relevant to any question in the proceedings, it shall be taken into account in determining that question.

9 If a person on whom a litter abatement notice is served fails to comply with the requirement imposed by the notice in respect of any land, the authority may, subject to subsection (10)—

a enter on the land and clear the litter or refuse, and

b recover from that person the expenditure attributable to their having done so, except such of the expenditure as that person shows was unnecessary in the circumstances.

10 Subsection (9) does not apply in relation to relevant Crown land or relevant land of statutory undertakers.

^F83892A Litter clearing notices¶

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^F83892B Appeals against litter clearing notices¶

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^F83892C Failure to comply with litter clearing notice¶

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93 Street litter control notices.¶

1 A principal litter authority in Scotland other than a joint board may, with a view to the prevention of accumulations of litter or refuse in and around any street or open land adjacent to any street, issue notices (“street litter control notices”) imposing requirements on occupiers of premises in relation to such litter or refuse, in accordance with this section and section 94.

2 If the authority is satisfied, in respect of any premises which are of a description prescribed under section 94(1)(a) and have a frontage on a street in their area, that—

a there is recurrent defacement by litter or refuse of any land, being part of the street or open land adjacent to the street, which is in the vicinity of the premises,

b the condition of any part of the premises which is open land in the vicinity of the frontage is, and if no notice is served is likely to continue to be, detrimental to the amenities of the locality by reason of the presence of litter or refuse, or

c there is produced, as a result of the activities carried on on the premises, quantities of litter or refuse of such nature and in such amounts as are likely to cause the defacement of any part of the street, or of open land adjacent to the street, which is in the vicinity of the premises,

the authority may serve a street litter control notice on the occupier or, if the premises are unoccupied, on the owner of the premises.

3 A notice shall, subject to section 94(2), (3) and (4)—

a identify the premises and state the grounds under subsection (2) on which it is issued;

b specify an area of open land which adjoins or is in the vicinity of the frontage of the premises on the street;

c specify, in relation to that area or any part of it, such reasonable requirements as the authority considers appropriate in the circumstances;

and, for the purposes of paragraph (b), an area which includes land on both sides of the frontage of the premises shall be treated as an area adjoining that frontage.

4 In this section and section 94—

“notice” means a street litter control notice;
“open land” means land in the open air;
“the premises”, in relation to a notice, means the premises in respect of which the notice is issued;
“specified area” means the area specified in a notice under subsection (3)(b); and
“street” means a relevant highway, a relevant road or any other highway or road over which there is a right of way on foot.

94 Street litter: supplementary provisions¶

1 The Scottish Ministers may by order prescribe—

a the descriptions of commercial or retail premises in respect of which a street litter control notice may be issued;

b the descriptions of land which may be included in a specified area; and

c the maximum area of land which may be included in a specified area;

and different descriptions or maximum dimensions may be prescribed under paragraph (b) or (c) for different cases or circumstances.An order under this subsection is subject to the negative procedure.

2 The power to describe premises or land under subsection (1)(a) or (b) includes power to describe the premises or land by reference to occupation or ownership or to the activities carried on there.

3 The land comprised in a specified area—

a shall include only land of one or more of the descriptions prescribed under subsection (1)(b);

b shall not include any land which is not—

i part of the premises,

ii part of a street,

iii relevant land of a principal litter authority, or

iv land under the direct control of any other local authority; and

c shall not exceed any applicable maximum area prescribed under subsection (1)(c);

but a specified area shall not include any part of the premises which is or is part of a litter control area.

4 The requirements which may be imposed by a notice shall relate to the clearing of litter or refuse from the specified area and may in particular require—

a the provision or emptying of receptacles for litter or refuse;

b the doing within a period specified in the notice of any such thing as may be so specified (including the standards to which any such thing must be done); or

c the doing (while the notice remains in force) at such times or intervals, or within such period, of any such thing as may be so specified;

but a notice may not require the clearing of litter or refuse from any carriageway, except at a time when the carriageway is closed to all vehicular traffic.

5 In relation to so much of the specified area as is not part of the premises the authority shall take account, in determining what requirements to impose, of their own duties under this Part or otherwise, and of any similar duties of any other local authority, in relation to that land.

6 An authority proposing to serve a notice shall—

a inform the person on whom the notice is to be served;

b give him the opportunity to make representations about the notice within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which he is so informed; and

c take any representations so made into account in making their decision.

7 A person on whom a notice is served may appeal against the notice to the sheriff by way of application; and the court may quash the notice or may quash, vary or add to any requirement imposed by the notice.

8 If it appears to the authority that a person has failed or is failing to comply with any requirement imposed by a notice, the authority may apply to the sheriff by way of application for an order requiring the person to comply with the requirement within such time as may be specified in the order.

9 A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with an order under subsection (8) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

^F83894A Fixed penalty notices relating to sections 92C and 94¶

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94B Free distribution of printed matter¶

Schedule 3A (distribution of printed matter on designated land) has effect.

^I3595 Public registers.¶

1 It shall be the duty of each principal litter authority other than an Englishcounty council, a [^F224regional council or] a joint board to maintain, in accordance with this section, a register containing copies of—

a all orders made by the authority under section 90(3) above; and

b all street litter control notices issued under section 93(1) above. and

c all orders made by the authority under paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 3A.

2 Where the requirements of a street litter control notice are varied or added to on an appeal under section 94(7) above a copy of the order making the variation or addition shall be included in the register.

3 Copies of the orders and notices required to be kept in the register shall be so kept for so long as the order or notice is in force.

4 It shall be the duty of each authority maintaining a register under this section—

a to secure that the register is available, at all reasonable times, for inspection by the public free of charge; and

b to afford to members of the public facilities for obtaining copies of the documents kept in the register, on payment of reasonable charges.

5 A register under this section need not be kept in documentary form.

^C113^C112^I3696 Application of Part II.¶

1 This section applies to litter and refuse collected—

a by any authority or person in pursuance of section 89(1) above;

b by a principal litter authority in pursuance of section 92(9) or 92C(3) above; or

c by any person in pursuance of section 93 above.

2 The Secretary of State may make regulations providing that prescribed provisions of Part II shall have effect, with such modifications (if any) as may be prescribed—

a as if references to controlled waste or controlled waste of a prescribed description included references to litter and refuse to which this section applies or any description of such litter and refuse;

b as if references to controlled waste or controlled waste of a prescribed description collected under section 45 above included references to litter and refuse collected as mentioned in subsection (1) above or any description of such litter and refuse.

3 The powers conferred by this section are exercisable in relation to litter and refuse to which it applies whether or not the circumstances are such that the litter or refuse would be treated as controlled waste apart from this section and this section is not to affect the interpretation of the expressions defined in section 75 above.

97 Transitional provision relating to section 89.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, for the purposes of the transition to the duties imposed by section 89 above on local authorities and educational bodies, by regulations, make provision—

a modifying that section, or

b modifying Part I of the Local Government Act 1988 (competition rules for functional work or works contracts).

2 Regulations under this section may make different provision for different descriptions of authorities, different areas or other different circumstances or cases.

3 In this section—

“educational bodies” means the governing bodies and education authorities mentioned in section 89(1)(f) above; and
“local authorities” means the local authorities mentioned in section 89(1)(a) and (c) and (2)(a) above.

97A Fixed penalty notices: supplementary¶

1 The appropriate person may by regulations make provision in connection with the powers conferred under—

a section 88(6A)(a) and (7) above;

b section 94A(4)(a) and (5) above;

c paragraph 7(4)(a) and (5) of Schedule 3A.

2 Regulations under subsection (1) may (in particular)—

a require an amount specified under section 88(6A)(a), 94A(4)(a) or paragraph 7(4)(a) of Schedule 3A to fall within a range prescribed in the regulations;

b restrict the extent to which, and the circumstances in which, an authority can make provision under section 88(7), 94A(5) or paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 3A.

3 The appropriate person may by order substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being specified in section 88(6A)(b), 94A(4)(b) or paragraph 7(4)(b) of Schedule 3A.

4 Regulations or an order under this section may make different provision for different purposes.

97B Exclusion of liability¶

1 None of the persons mentioned in subsection (2) below is to have any liability to an occupier or owner of land for damages or otherwise (whether at common law or otherwise) arising out of anything done or omitted to be done in the exercise or purported exercise of the power in section 92(9), 92A(9) or 92C(3) above.

2 Those persons are—

a the principal litter authority and any employee of the authority; and

b in the case of the power in section 92C(3) above, any person authorised by the authority under that provision and the employer or any employee of that person.

3 Subsection (1) above does not apply—

a if the act or omission is shown to be in bad faith;

b to liability arising out of a failure to exercise due care and attention;

c so as to prevent an award of damages in respect of an act or omission on the ground that the act or omission was unlawful by virtue of section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

4 This section does not affect any other exemption from liability (whether at common law or otherwise).

^I3798 Definitions.¶

1 The following definitions apply for the interpretation of this Part.

1A “Appropriate person” means—

a in relation to England, the Secretary of State;

b in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers.

^C512 “Educational institution”, in relation to England and Wales, means—

^F225a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b the Open University;

c any institution which provides higher education or further education (or both) which is full-time education being an institution which—

i is maintained by grants made by the Secretary of State under section 485 of the Education Act 1996;

ii ^F412. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii is maintained by a local authority as defined in section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996;

^F227d any institution within the higher education sector within the meaning of section 91(5) of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992

e any city technology college , city college for the technology of the arts or Academy;

f any community, foundation or voluntary school;

^F229g any community or foundation special school.

3 “Educational institution”, in relation to Scotland, means—

a any university within the meaning of the Education Reform Act 1988 funded by the Universities Funding Council under section 131 of that Act;

b the Open University;

c any educational establishment (not being a school) within the meaning of section 135(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 for the provision of any form of further education for the management of which establishment an education authority is responsible;

cc any college of further education within the meaning of section 36(1) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 managed by a board of management established under Part I of that Act;

d a designated institution within the meaning of Part II of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992;

^F232da any institution within the further education sector within the meaning of section 91(3) of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992

e a technology academy within the meaning of section 68(1) of the 1989 Act;

f a public school as defined in section 135(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (“the 1980 Act”);

g a grant-aided school as defined in section 135(1) of the 1980 Act;

^F234h a self-governing school within the meaning of section 1(3) of the 1989 Act.

4 “Joint board”, in relation to Scotland, has the meaning given by section 235(1) of the ^M63Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

5 “Highway” (and “highway maintainable at the public expense”), “highway authority”, “special road” and “trunk road”, in relation to England and Wales, have the same meaning as in the ^M64Highways Act 1980 and “public road”, “special road” and “trunk road”, in relation to Scotland, have the same meaning as in the ^M65Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

5A “Litter” includes—

a the discarded ends of cigarettes, cigars and like products, and

b discarded chewing-gum and the discarded remains of other products designed for chewing.

5B Strategic highways company” means a company for the time being appointed under Part 1 of the Infrastructure Act 2015.

6 “Statutory undertaker” means—

a any person authorised by any enactment to carry on any railway, light railway, tramway or road transport undertaking;

b any person authorised by any enactment to carry on any canal, inland navigation, dock, harbour or pier undertaking; or

c any relevant airport operator (within the meaning of Part V of the ^M66Airports Act 1986).

6A In subsection (6) above, “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Abandoned trolleys¶

99 Powers in relation to abandoned shopping and luggage trolleys.¶

1 A local authority may, subject to subsection (3) below, resolve that Schedule 4 to this Act is to apply in its area; and if a local authority does so resolve, that Schedule shall come into force in its area on the day specified in the resolution, which must not be before the expiration of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the resolution is passed.

2 A local authority shall publish in at least one newspaper circulating in its area a notice that the authority has passed a resolution under this section and indicating the general effect of that Schedule.

3 It shall be the duty of a local authority, before making any resolution for the application of Schedule 4 to this Act in its area, to consult with the persons or representatives of persons who appear to the authority to be persons who will be affected by the application of that Schedule.

4 It shall be the duty of a local authority from time to time to consult about the operation of Schedule 4 to this Act with the persons or representatives of persons who appear to be affected by its operation.

5 In this section “local authority” means—

a the council of a district;

b the council of a London borough;

c the Common Council of the City of London;

d the council of the Isles of Scilly;

dd in Wales, the council of a county or county borough;and

e in Scotland, a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994.

6 In Schedule 4 to this Act “the local authority” means any local authority which has resolved that that Schedule is to apply in its area.

^C52Part V Amendment of the Radioactive Substances Act 1960¶

^F237100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F238101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F239102 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F240103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F241104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^F242105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^E10^C53^C75 Part VI Genetically Modified Organisms¶

Preliminary¶

^E13^I38106 Purpose of Part VI and meaning of “genetically modified organisms” and related expressions.¶

1 This Part has effect for the purpose of ensuring that all appropriate measures are taken to avoid damage to the environment which may arise from the escape or release from human control of genetically modified organisms.

2 In this Part the term “organism” means any acellular, unicellular or multicellular entity (in any form), other than humans , human embryos or human admixed embryos ; and, unless the context otherwise requires, the term also includes any article or substance consisting of or including biological matter.

3 For the purpose of subsection (2) above “biological matter” means anything (other than an entity mentioned in that subsection) which consists of or includes—

a tissue or cells (including gametes or propagules) or subcellular entities, of any kind, capable of replication or of transferring genetic material, or

b genes or other genetic material, in any form, which are so capable,

and it is immaterial, in determining if something is or is not an organism or biological matter, whether it is the product of natural or artificial processes of reproduction and, in the case of biological matter, whether it has ever been part of a whole organism.

3A For the purposes of subsection (2) above—

a “human embryo” means an embryo within the meaning given in the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (apart from section 4A) by virtue of section 1(1) and (6) of that Act, and

b “human admixed embryo” has the same meaning as it has in that Act by virtue of section 4A(6) and (11) of that Act.

^C77^C794 For the purposes of this Part an organism is “genetically modified” if any of the genes or other genetic material in the organism—

a have been artificially modified, or

b are inherited or otherwise derived, through any number of replications, from genes or other genetic material (from any source) which were so modified.

4A Genes or other genetic material in an organism are “artificially modified” for the purposes of subsection (4) above if they are altered otherwise than by a process which occurs naturally in mating or natural recombination.

This subsection is subject to subsections (4B) and (4C) below.

4B For the purposes of subsection (4) above—

a genes or other genetic material shall be taken to be artificially modified if they are altered using such techniques as may be prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph;

b genes or other genetic material shall not be regarded as artificially modified by reason only of being altered by the use of such techniques as may be prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.

4C An organism shall be taken not to be a genetically modified organism for the purposes of this Part if it is an organism of a prescribed description.

4D In subsections (4B) and (4C) above “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State or, in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales.

5 ^F335. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 ^F335. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7 In this Part, where the context permits, a reference to “reproduction”, in relation to an organism, includes a reference to its replication or its transferring genetic material.

106A Exclusion of precision bred organisms from English application of Part¶

1 In this Part as it applies in relation to England, references to genetically modified organisms (except in this section and section 127)—

a do not include references to precision bred organisms;

b so far as they relate to marketing, also do not include references to gametes of precision bred organisms.

2 For the purposes of subsection (1), this Part applies in relation to England so far as it applies in relation to—

a importing genetically modified organisms where their destination is in England;

b acquiring genetically modified organisms which are in England;

c keeping or releasing genetically modified organisms in England;

d marketing a genetically modified organism so far as the organism (or, where the organism is marketed by virtue of a product consisting of or including the organism being made available to other persons, that product) is made available for delivery in England.

3 In this section “precision bred organism” and “gamete” have the same meanings as in the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

^E14^I39107 Meaning of “damage to the environment”, “control” and related expressions in Part VI.¶

1 The following provisions have effect for the interpretation of this Part.

2 The “environment” includes land, air and water and living organisms supported by any of those media.

3 “Damage to the environment” is caused by the presence in the environment of genetically modified organisms which have (or of a single such organism which has) escaped or been released from a person’s control and are (or is) capable of causing harm to the living organisms supported by the environment.

4 An organism shall be regarded as present in the environment notwithstanding that it is present in or on any human or other organism, or any other thing, which is itself present in the environment.

5 Genetically modified organisms present in the environment are capable of causing harm if—

a they are individually capable, or are present in numbers such that together they are capable, of causing harm; or

b they are able to produce descendants which will be capable, or which will be present in numbers such that together they will be capable, of causing harm;

and a single organism is capable of causing harm either if it is itself capable of causing harm or if it is able to produce descendants which will be so capable.

6 “Harm” means adverse effects as regards the health of humans or the environment.

7 “Harmful” and “harmless” mean respectively, in relation to genetically modified organisms, their being capable or their being incapable of causing harm.

8 The Secretary of State may by regulations provide, in relation to genetically modified organisms of any description specified in the regulations, that—

a the capacity of those organisms for causing harm of any description so specified, or

b harm of any description so specified,

shall be disregarded for such purposes of this Part as may be so specified.

9 Organisms of any description are under the “control” of a person where he keeps them contained by measures designed to limit their contact with humans and the environment and to prevent or minimise the risk of harm.

10 An organism under a person’s control is “released” if he deliberately causes or permits it to cease to be under his control or the control of any other person and to enter the environment; and such an organism “escapes” if, otherwise than by being released, it ceases to be under his control or that of any other person and enters the environment.

11 Genetically modified organisms of any description are “marketed” by a person when products consisting of or including such organisms are placed on the market by being made available to other persons, whether or not for consideration.

General controls¶

^I40^C94108 Risk assessment and notification requirements.¶

1 Subject to subsections (2) and (7) below, no person shall import or acquire, release or market any genetically modified organisms unless, before doing that act—

^C85a he has carried out an assessment of any risks there are (by reference to the nature of the organisms and the manner in which he intends to keep them after their importation or acquisition or, as the case may be, to release or market them) of damage to the environment being caused as a result of doing that act; and

b in such cases and circumstances as may be prescribed, he has given the Secretary of State such notice of his intention of doing that act and such information as may be prescribed.

2 Subsection (1) above does not apply to a person proposing to do an act mentioned in that subsection who is required under section 111(1)(a) below to have a consent before doing that act.

3 Subject to subsections (4) and (7) below, a person who is keeping genetically modified organisms shall, in such cases or circumstances and at such times or intervals as may be prescribed—

a carry out an assessment of any risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of his continuing to keep them;

b give the Secretary of State notice of the fact that he is keeping the organisms and such information as may be prescribed.

4 Subsection (3) above does not apply to a person who is keeping genetically modified organisms and is required under section 111(2) below to have a consent authorising him to continue to keep the organisms.

5 It shall be the duty of a person who carries out an assessment under subsection (1)(a) or (3)(a) above to keep, for the prescribed period, such a record of the assessment as may be prescribed.

6 A person required by subsection (1)(b) or (3)(b) above to give notice to the Secretary of State shall give the Secretary of State such further information as the Secretary of State may by notice in writing require.

7 Regulations under this section may provide for exemptions, or for the granting by the Secretary of State , or by the Secretary of State and the Food Standards Agency acting jointly, of exemptions to particular persons or classes of person, from the requirements of subsection (1) or (3) above in such cases or circumstances, and to such extent, as may be prescribed.

8 The Secretary of State may at any time—

a give directions to a person falling within subsection (1) above requiring that person to apply for a consent before doing the act in question; or

b give directions to a person falling within subsection (3) above requiring that person, before such date as may be specified in the direction, to apply for a consent authorising him to continue keeping the organisms in question;

and a person given directions under paragraph (a) above shall then, and a person given directions under paragraph (b) above shall from the specified date, be subject to section 111 below in place of the requirements of this section.

9 Regulations under this section may—

a prescribe the manner in which assessments under subsection (1) or (3) above are to be carried out and the matters which must be investigated and assessed;

b prescribe minimum periods of notice between the giving of a notice under subsection (1)(b) above and the doing of the act in question;

c make provision allowing the Secretary of State to shorten or to extend any such period;

d prescribe maximum intervals at which assessments under subsection (3)(a) above must be carried out;

and the regulations may make different provision for different cases and different circumstances.

10 In this section “prescribed” means prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations under this section.

11 In the application of this section to Scotland, the reference in subsection (7) to the Food Standards Agency is to be read as a reference to Food Standards Scotland.

^C95109 General duties relating to importation, acquisition, keeping, release or marketing of organisms.¶

1 A person who—

a is proposing to import or acquire any genetically modified organisms, or

b is keeping any such organisms, or

c is proposing to release or market any such organisms,

shall, subject to subsection (5) below, be subject to the duties specified in subsection (2), (3) or (4) below, as the case may be.

2 A person who proposes to import or acquire genetically modified organisms—

a shall take all reasonable steps to identify, by reference to the nature of the organisms and the manner in which he intends to keep them (including any precautions to be taken against their escaping or causing damage to the environment), what risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their importation or acquisition; and

b shall not import or acquire the organisms if it appears that, despite any precautions which can be taken, there is a risk of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their importation or acquisition.

3 A person who is keeping genetically modified organisms—

a shall take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed of any damage to the environment which may have been caused as a result of his keeping the organisms and to identify what risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of his continuing to keep them;

b shall cease keeping the organisms if, despite any additional precautions which can be taken, it appears, at any time, that there is a risk of damage to the environment being caused as a result of his continuing to keep them; and

c shall use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost for keeping the organisms under his control and for preventing any damage to the environment being caused as a result of his continuing to keep the organisms;

and where a person is required by paragraph (b) above to cease keeping the organisms he shall dispose of them as safely and as quickly as practicable and paragraph (c) above shall continue to apply until he has done so.

4 A person who proposes to release genetically modified organisms—

a shall take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed, by reference to the nature of the organisms and the extent and manner of the release (including any precautions to be taken against their causing damage to the environment), what risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their being released;

b shall not release the organisms if it appears that, despite the precautions which can be taken, there is a risk of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their being released; and

c subject to paragraph (b) above, shall use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost for preventing any damage to the environment being caused as a result of their being released;

and this subsection applies, with the necessary modifications, to a person proposing to market organisms as it applies to a person proposing to release organisms.

5 This section does not apply—

a to persons proposing to import or acquire, to release or to market any genetically modified organisms, in cases or circumstances where, under section 108 above, they are not required to carry out a risk assessment before doing that act;

b to persons who are keeping any genetically modified organisms and who—

i were not required under section 108 above to carry out a risk assessment before importing or acquiring them;

ii have not been required under that section to carry out a risk assessment in respect of the keeping of those organisms since importing or acquiring them; or

c to holders of consents, in the case of acts authorised by those consents.

^I41^C96110 Prohibition notices.¶

1 The Secretary of State may serve a notice under this section (a “prohibition notice”) on any person he has reason to believe—

a is proposing to import or acquire, release or market any genetically modified organisms; or

b is keeping any such organisms;

if he is of the opinion that doing any such act in relation to those organisms or continuing to keep them, as the case may be, would involve a risk of causing damage to the environment.

2 A prohibition notice may prohibit a person from doing an act mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above in relation to any genetically modified organisms or from continuing to keep them; and the prohibition may apply in all cases or circumstances or in such cases or circumstances as may be specified in the notice.

3 A prohibition notice shall—

a state that the Secretary of State is, in relation to the person on whom it is served, of the opinion mentioned in subsection (1) above;

b specify what is, or is to be, prohibited by the notice; and

c if the prohibition is not to be effective on being served, specify the date on which the prohibition is to take effect;

and a notice may be served on a person notwithstanding that he may have a consent authorising any act which is, or is to be, prohibited by the notice.

4 Where a person is prohibited by a prohibition notice from continuing to keep any genetically modified organisms, he shall dispose of them as quickly and safely as practicable or, if the notice so provides, as may be specified in the notice.

5 The Secretary of State may at any time withdraw a prohibition notice served on any person by notice given to that person.

Consents¶

^I42111 Consents required by certain persons.¶

1 Subject to subsection (7) below, no person shall import or acquire, release or market any genetically modified organisms—

^C86a in such cases or circumstances as may be prescribed in relation to that act, or

b in any case where he has been given directions under section 108(8)(a) above,

except in pursuance of a consent granted by the Secretary of State and in accordance with any limitations and conditions to which the consent is subject.

2 Subject to subsection (7) below, no person who has imported or acquired any genetically modified organisms (whether under a consent or not) shall continue to keep the organisms—

a in such cases or circumstances as may be prescribed, after the end of the prescribed period, or

b if he has been given directions under section 108(8)(b) above, after the date specified in the directions,

except in pursuance of a consent granted by the Secretary of State and in accordance with any limitations or conditions to which the consent is subject.

3 A person who is required under subsection (2) above to cease keeping any genetically modified organisms shall dispose of them as quickly and safely as practicable.

4 An application for a consent must contain such information and be made and advertised in such manner as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by the fee required under section 113 below.

5 The applicant shall, in prescribed circumstances, give such notice of his application to such persons as may be prescribed.

^C736 The Secretary of State may by notice to the applicant require him to furnish such further information specified in the notice, within such period and in such form and manner as may be so specified, as he may require for the purpose of determining the application; and if the applicant fails to furnish the information within the specified period and in the specified form and manner the Secretary of State may refuse to proceed with the application.A notice under this subsection must state the reasons for requiring the further information specified in the notice.

6ZA A notice under subsection (6) must state the reasons for requiring the further information specified in the notice.

6A Where an applicant for consent for releasing or marketing genetically modified organisms becomes aware, before his application is either granted or rejected, of any new information with regard to any risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of the organisms being released or marketed, he shall notify the Secretary of State of that new information forthwith.

a any requirement under subsection (1) or (2) above to have a consent, or

b any of the requirements to be fulfilled under the regulations by an applicant for a consent,

in such cases or circumstances as may be prescribed.

8 Where an application for a consent is duly made to him, the Secretary of State may grant the consent subject to such limitations and conditions as may be imposed under section 112 below or he may refuse the application.

9 The conditions attached to a consent may include conditions which are to continue to have effect notwithstanding that the holder has completed or ceased the act or acts authorised by the consent.

10 The Secretary of State may at any time, by notice given to the holder of a consent, revoke the consent or vary the consent (whether by attaching new limitations and conditions or by revoking or varying any limitations and conditions to which it is at that time subject).

11 Regulations under this section may make different provision for different cases and different circumstances; and in this section “prescribed” means prescribed in regulations under this section.

12 In the application of this section to Scotland, the reference in subsection (7) to the Food Standards Agency is to be read as a reference to Food Standards Scotland.

^E16^I43112 Consents: limitations and conditions.¶

1 The Secretary of State may include in a consent such limitations and conditions as he may think fit for the purpose of ensuring that all appropriate measures are taken to avoid damage to the environment which may arise from the activity permitted by the consent; ^F246. . .

2 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the conditions included in a consent may—

a require the giving of notice of any fact to the Secretary of State; or

b prohibit or restrict the keeping, releasing or marketing of genetically modified organisms under the consent in specified cases or circumstances;

and where, under any condition, the holder of a consent is required to cease keeping any genetically modified organisms, he shall dispose of them, if no manner is specified in the conditions, as quickly and safely as practicable.

3 Subject to subsection (6) below, there is implied in every consent for the importation or acquisition of genetically modified organisms a general condition that the holder of the consent shall—

a take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed (by reference to the nature of the organisms and the manner in which he intends to keep them after their importation or acquisition) of any risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their importation or acquisition; and

b if at any time it appears that any such risks are more serious than were apparent when the consent was granted, notify the Secretary of State forthwith.

4 Subject to subsection (6) below, there is implied in every consent for keeping genetically modified organisms a general condition that the holder of the consent shall—

a take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed of any damage to the environment which may have been caused as a result of his keeping the organisms and of any risks there are of such damage being caused as a result of his continuing to keep them;

b if at any time it appears that any such risks are more serious than were apparent when the consent was granted, notify the Secretary of State forthwith; and

c use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost for keeping the organisms under his control and for preventing any damage to the environment being caused as a result of his continuing to keep them.

5 Subject to subsection (6) below, there is implied in every consent for releasing or marketing genetically modified organisms a general condition that the holder of the consent shall—

a take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed (by reference to the nature of the organisms and the extent and manner of the release or marketing) of any risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their being released or, as the case may be, marketed;

b notify the Secretary of State forthwith of—

i any new information which becomes available with regard to any risks there are of damage to the environment being so caused, and

ii the effects of any releases by him for the assessment of any risks there are of damage to the environment being so caused by such organisms being released or marketed;

iii any unforeseen event, occurring in connection with a release by him, which might affect the risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their being released;

c take such measures as are necessary to prevent damage to the environment being caused as a result of the release or, as the case may be, the marketing of the organisms;

d notify the Secretary of State or, in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales of the measures (if any) taken as a result of new information becoming available or an unforeseen event occurring as described in paragraph (b)(iii) above; and

e in a case where new information becomes available or an unforeseen event so occurs, revise the information contained in his application for a consent accordingly and supply the revised information to the Secretary of State or, in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales.

6 The general condition implied into a consent under subsection (3), (4) or (5) above has effect subject to any conditions imposed under subsection (1) above; and the obligations imposed by virtue of subsection (4)(c) or (5)(c) above shall not apply to any aspect of an act authorised by a consent which is regulated by such a condition.

7 There shall be implied in every consent for keeping, releasing or marketing genetically modified organisms of any description a general condition that the holder of the consent—

a shall take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed of developments in the techniques which may be available in his case for preventing damage to the environment being caused as a result of the doing of the act authorised by the consent in relation to organisms of that description; and

b if it appears at any time that any better techniques are available to him than is required by any condition included in the consent under subsection (1) above, shall notify the Secretary of State of that fact forthwith.

But this general condition shall have effect subject to any conditions imposed under subsection (1) above.

^I44113 Fees and charges.¶

^C1731 The Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, make and from time to time revise a scheme prescribing—

a fees payable in respect of applications for consents; and

b charges payable by persons holding consents in respect of the subsistence of their consents;

and it shall be a condition of any such consent that any applicable prescribed charge is paid in accordance with that scheme.

2 A scheme under this section may, in particular—

a provide for different fees or charges to be payable in different cases or circumstances;

b provide for the times at which and the manner in which payments are to be made; and

c make such incidental, supplementary and transitional provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

3 The Secretary of State shall so frame a scheme under this section as to secure, so far as practicable, that the amounts payable under it will be sufficient, taking one financial year with another, to cover the expenditure of the Secretary of State in discharging his functions under this Part in relation to consents.

4 The Secretary of State shall, on making or revising a scheme under this section, lay a copy of the scheme or of the scheme as revised before each House of Parliament.

5 The Scottish Ministers may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, provide in a scheme under this section for any functions under the scheme to be performed by a Minister of the Crown or government department where they consider it expedient to do so in relation to assimilated law which implemented Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council .

Inspectors¶

^I45114 Appointment etc of inspectors.¶

1 The Secretary of State may appoint as inspectors, for carrying this Part into effect, such number of persons appearing to him to be qualified for the purpose as he may consider necessary.

2 The Secretary of State may make to or in respect of any person so appointed such payments by way of remuneration, allowances or otherwise as he may with the approval of the Treasury determine.

3 An inspector shall not be personally liable in any civil or criminal proceedings for anything done in the purported exercise of any power under section 115 or 117 below if the court is satisfied that the act was done in good faith and that there were reasonable grounds for doing it.

4 In England and Wales an inspector, if authorised to do so by the Secretary of State, may, ^F718. . . prosecute before a magistrates’ court proceedings for an offence under section 118(1) below.

5 In this Part “inspector” means, subject to section 125 below, a person appointed as an inspector under subsection (1) above.

^I46115 Rights of entry and inspection.¶

1 An inspector may, on production (if so required) of his authority, exercise any of the powers specified in subsection (3) below for the purposes of the discharge of the functions of the Secretary of State under this Part.

2 Those powers are exercisable—

a in relation to premises—

i on which the inspector has reason to believe a person is keeping or has kept any genetically modified organisms, or

ii from which he has reason to believe any such organisms have been released or have escaped; and

b in relation to premises on which the inspector has reason to believe there may be harmful genetically modified organisms or evidence of damage to the environment caused by genetically modified organisms;

but they are not exercisable in relation to premises used wholly or mainly for domestic purposes.

3 The powers of an inspector are—

a at any reasonable time (or, in a situation in which in his opinion there is an immediate risk of damage to the environment, at any time)—

i to enter premises which he has reason to believe it is necessary for him to enter and to take with him any person duly authorised by the Secretary of State and, if the inspector has reasonable cause to apprehend any serious obstruction in the execution of his duty, a constable; and

ii to take with him any equipment or materials required for any purpose for which the power of entry is being exercised;

b to carry out such tests and inspections (and to make such recordings), as may in any circumstances be necessary;

c to direct that any, or any part of, premises which he has power to enter, or anything in or on such premises, shall be left undisturbed (whether generally or in particular respects) for so long as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of any test or inspection;

d to take samples of any organisms, articles or substances found in or on any premises which he has power to enter, and of the air, water or land in, on, or in the vicinity of, the premises;

e in the case of anything found in or on any premises which he has power to enter, which appears to him to contain or to have contained genetically modified organisms which have caused or are likely to cause damage to the environment, to cause it to be dismantled or subjected to any process or test (but not so as to damage or destroy it unless this is necessary);

f in the case of anything mentioned in paragraph (e) above or anything found on premises which he has power to enter which appears to be a genetically modified organism or to consist of or include genetically modified organisms, to take possession of it and detain it for so long as is necessary for all or any of the following purposes, namely—

i to examine it and do to it anything which he has power to do under that paragraph;

ii to ensure that it is not tampered with before his examination of it is completed; and

iii to ensure that it is available for use as evidence in any proceedings for an offence under section 118 below;

g to require any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be able to give any information relevant to any test or inspection under this subsection to answer (in the absence of persons other than a person nominated to be present and any persons whom the inspector may allow to be present) such questions as the inspector thinks fit to ask and to sign a declaration of the truth of his answers;

h to require the production of, or where the information is recorded in computerised form, the furnishing of extracts from, any records which are required to be kept under this Part or it is necessary for him to see for the purposes of any test or inspection under this subsection and to inspect, and take copies of, or of any entry in, the records;

i to require any person to afford him such facilities and assistance with respect to any matters or things within that person’s control or in relation to which that person has responsibilities as are necessary to enable the inspector to exercise any of the powers conferred on him by this section;

j any other power for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above which is conferred by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

4 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to the procedure to be followed in connection with the taking of, and the dealing with, samples under subsection (3)(d) above.

5 Where an inspector proposes to exercise the power conferred by subsection (3)(e) above, he shall, if so requested by a person who at the time is present on and has responsibilities in relation to those premises, cause anything which is to be done by virtue of that power to be done in the presence of that person.

6 Before exercising the power conferred by subsection (3)(e) above, an inspector shall consult such persons as appear to him appropriate for the purpose of ascertaining what dangers, if any, there may be in doing anything which he proposes to do under the power.

7 Where under the power conferred by subsection (3)(f) above an inspector takes possession of anything found on any premises, he shall leave there, either with a responsible person or, if that is impracticable, fixed in a conspicuous position, a notice giving particulars sufficient to identify what he has seized and stating that he has taken possession of it under that power; and before taking possession under that power of—

a any thing that forms part of a batch of similar things, or

b any substance,

an inspector shall, if it is practical and safe for him to do so, take a sample of it and give to a responsible person at the premises a portion of the sample marked in a manner sufficient to identify it.

8 No answer given by a person in pursuance of a requirement imposed under subsection (3)(g) above shall be admissible in evidence—

a in any proceedings in England and Wales against that person; or

b in any criminal proceedings in Scotland against that person.

9 The powers conferred by subsection (3)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (h) above shall also be exercisable (subject to subsections (4), (5) and (6) above) by any person authorised for the purpose in writing by the Secretary of State.

10 Nothing in this section shall be taken to compel the production by any person of a document of which he would on grounds of legal professional privilege be entitled to withhold production on an order for discovery in an action in the High Court or, in relation to Scotland, on an order for the production of documents in an action in the Court of Session.

Enforcement powers and offences¶

^I47116 Obtaining of information from persons.¶

1 For the purposes of the discharge of his functions under this Part, the Secretary of State may, by notice in writing served on any person who appears to him—

a to be involved in the importation, acquisition, keeping, release or marketing of genetically modified organisms; or

b to be about to become, or to have been, involved in any of those activities;

require that person to furnish such relevant information available to him as is specified in the notice, in such form and within such period following service of the notice as is so specified.

2 For the purposes of this section “relevant information” means information concerning any aspects of the activities in question, including any damage to the environment which may be or have been caused thereby; and the discharge by the Secretary of State of a function under assimilated law or an obligation of the United Kingdom under ^F1152... any international agreement concerning the protection of the environment from harm caused by genetically modified organisms shall be treated as a function of his under this Part.

^I48117 Power to deal with cause of imminent danger of damage to the environment.¶

1 Where, in the case of anything found by him on any premises which he has power to enter, an inspector has reason to believe that it is a genetically modified organism or that it consists of or includes genetically modified organisms and that, in the circumstances in which he finds it, it is a cause of imminent danger of damage to the environment, he may seize it and cause it to be rendered harmless (whether by destruction, by bringing it under proper control or otherwise).

2 Before there is rendered harmless under this section—

a any thing that forms part of a batch of similar things, or

b any substance,

the inspector shall, if it is practicable and safe for him to do so, take a sample of it and give to a responsible person at the premises a portion of the sample marked in a manner sufficient to identify it.

3 As soon as may be after anything has been seized and rendered harmless under this section, the inspector shall prepare and sign a written report giving particulars of the circumstances in which it was seized and so dealt with by him, and shall—

a give a signed copy of the report to a responsible person at the premises where it was found by him; and

b unless that person is the owner of it, also serve a signed copy of the report on the owner;

and if, where paragraph (b) above applies, the inspector cannot after reasonable inquiry ascertain the name or address of the owner, the copy may be served on him by giving it to the person to whom a copy was given under paragraph (a) above.

^I49118 Offences.¶

1 It is an offence for a person—

a to do anything in contravention of section 108(1) above in relation to something which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is, a genetically modified organism;

b to fail to comply with section 108(3) above when keeping something which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is, a genetically modified organism;

c to do anything in contravention of section 111(1) or (2) above in relation to something which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is, a genetically modified organism;

d to fail to comply with any requirement of subsection (2), (3)(a), (b) or (c) or (4) of section 109 above in relation to something which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is, a genetically modified organism;

e to fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 108(5) or (6) or section 111(6A) above;

f to contravene any prohibition imposed on him by a prohibition notice;

g without reasonable excuse, to fail to comply with any requirement imposed under section 115 above;

h to prevent any other person from appearing before or from answering any question to which an inspector may, by virtue of section 115(3) above, require an answer;

i intentionally to obstruct an inspector in the exercise or performance of his powers or duties, other than his powers or duties under section 117 above;

j intentionally to obstruct an inspector in the exercise of his powers or duties under section 117 above;

k to fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any requirement imposed by a notice under section 116 above;

l to make a statement which he knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, or recklessly to make a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular, where the statement is made—

i in purported compliance with a requirement to furnish any information imposed by or under any provision of this Part; or

ii for the purpose of obtaining the grant of a consent to himself or any other person or the variation of a consent;

m intentionally to make a false entry in any record required to be kept under section 108 or 111 above;

n with intent to deceive, to forge or use a document purporting to be issued under section 111 above or required for any purpose thereunder or to make or have in his possession a document so closely resembling any such document as to be likely to deceive;

o falsely to pretend to be an inspector.

2 It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (f) of subsection (1) above to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.

3 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (1) above shall be liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £20,000 a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.

4 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (f) of subsection (1) above shall be liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £20,000 a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

5 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) above shall be liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both.

6 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (e), (j), (k), (l), (m) or (n) of subsection (1) above shall be liable—

a on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both;

b on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

7 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (g), (h) or (i) of subsection (1) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or to both.

8 A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (o) of subsection (1) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

9 Where a person is convicted of an offence under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above in respect of his keeping any genetically modified organism, then, if the contravention in respect of which he was convicted is continued after he was convicted he shall be guilty of a further offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of one-fifth of level 5 on the standard scale one-fifth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale for each day on which the contravention is so continued.

10 Proceedings in respect of an offence under this section shall not be instituted in England and Wales except by the Secretary of State or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions or in Northern Ireland except with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

^I50119 Onus of proof as regards techniques and evidence.¶

1 In any proceedings for either of the following offences, that is to say—

a an offence under section 118(1)(c) above consisting in a failure to comply with the general condition implied by section 112(4)(c) or (5)(c) above; or

b an offence under section 118(1)(d) above consisting in a failure to comply with section 109(3)(c) or (4)(c) above;

it shall be for the accused to prove the matters described in subsection (1A) below.

1A The matters referred to in subsection (1) above are—

a in the case of an offence under section 118(1)(c) above consisting in a failure to comply with the general condition implied by section 112(5)(c) above—

i that no measures, other than the measures taken by him, were necessary to prevent damage being caused to the environment from the release or, as the case may be, marketing of the organisms, or

ii in a case where he took no measures, that no measures were necessary; and

b in any other case, that there was no better available technique not entailing excessive cost than was in fact used to satisfy the condition or to comply with that section.

2 Where an entry is required by a condition in a consent to be made in any record as to the observance of any other condition and the entry has not been made, that fact shall be admissible as evidence that that other condition has not been observed.

^I51120 Power of court to order cause of offence to be remedied.¶

1 Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 118(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above in respect of any matters which appear to the court to be matters which it is in his power to remedy, the court may, in addition to or instead of imposing any punishment, order him, within such time as may be fixed by the order, to take such steps as may be specified in the order for remedying those matters.

3 Where a person is ordered under subsection (1) above to remedy any matters, that person shall not be liable under section 118 above in respect of those matters, in so far as they continue during the time fixed by the order or any further time allowed under subsection (2) above.

^I52121 Power of Secretary of State to remedy harm.¶

1 Where the commission of an offence under section 118(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above causes any harm which it is possible to remedy, the Secretary of State may, subject to subsection (2) below—

a arrange for any reasonable steps to be taken towards remedying the harm; and

b recover the cost of taking those steps from any person convicted of that offence.

2 The Secretary of State shall not exercise his powers under this section, where any of the steps are to be taken on or will affect land in the occupation of any person other than a person convicted of the offence in question, except with the permission of that person.

Publicity¶

^I53122 Public register of information.¶

^C741 The Secretary of State shall maintain a register (“the register”) containing prescribed particulars of or relating to—

a notices given or other information furnished under section 108 above;

b directions given under section 108(8) above;

c prohibition notices;

d applications for consents (and any further information furnished in connection with them) and any advice given by the committee appointed under section 124 below in relation to such applications;

e consents granted by the Secretary of State and any information furnished to him in pursuance of consent conditions;

f any other information obtained or furnished under any provision of this Part;

g convictions for such offences under section 118 above as may be prescribed;

h such other matters relating to this Part as may be prescribed;

but that duty is subject to section 123 below.

^C742 It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State—

a to secure that the register is open to inspection by members of the public free of charge at all reasonable hours; and

b to afford to members of the public facilities for obtaining copies of entries, on payment of reasonable charges.

3 The register may be kept in any form.

4 The Secretary of State may make regulations with respect to the keeping of the register; and in this section “prescribed” means prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

^I54123 Exclusion from register of certain information.¶

1 No information shall be included in the register under section 122 above if and so long as, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the inclusion of the information would be contrary to the interests of national security.

2 No information shall be included in the register if and so long as, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, it ought to be excluded on the ground that its inclusion might result in damage to the environment.

^C763 No information relating to the affairs of any individual or business shall be included in the register without the consent of that individual or the person for the time being carrying on that business, if the Secretary of State has determined that the information—

a is, in relation to him, commercially confidential; and

b is not information of a description to which subsection (7) below applies;

unless the Secretary of State is of the opinion that the information is no longer commercially confidential in relation to him.

^C764 Nothing in subsection (3) above requires the Secretary of State to determine whether any information is or is not commercially confidential except where the person furnishing the information applies to have it excluded on the ground that it is (in relation to himself or another person) commercially confidential.

^C765 Where an application has been made for information to be excluded under subsection (3) above, the Secretary of State shall make a determination and inform the applicant of it as soon as is practicable.

^C766 Where it appears to the Secretary of State that any information (other than information furnished by the person to whom it relates) which has been obtained under or by virtue of any provision of this Part might be commercially confidential, the Secretary of State shall—

a give to the person to whom or to whose business it relates notice that the information is required to be included in the register unless excluded under subsection (3) above; and

b give him a reasonable opportunity—

i of objecting to the inclusion of the information on the ground that it is commercially confidential; and

ii of making representations to the Secretary of State for the purpose of justifying any such objection;

and the Secretary of State shall take any representations into account before determining whether the information is or is not commercially confidential.

7 The prescribed particulars of or relating to the matters mentioned in section 122(1)(a), (c),(d) and (e) above shall be included in the register notwithstanding that they may be commercially confidential if and so far as they are of any of the following descriptions, namely—

a the name and address of the person giving the notice or furnishing the information;

b ^F375the general description of any genetically modified organisms to which the notice or other information relates;

c the location at any time of those organisms;

d the purpose for which those organisms are being imported, acquired, kept, released or marketed (according to whichever of those acts the notice or other information relates);

e results of any assessment of the risks of damage to the environment being caused by the doing of any of those acts;

f notices under section 112(3), (4), (5) or (7) above;

and the Secretary of State may by regulations prescribe any other description of information as information which the public interest requires to be included in the register notwithstanding that it may be commercially confidential.

^C768 Information excluded from the register under subsection (3) above shall be treated as ceasing to be commercially confidential for the purposes of that subsection at the expiry of a period of four years beginning with the date of the determination by virtue of which it was excluded; but the person who furnished it or to whom or to whose business it relates may apply to the Secretary of State for the information to remain excluded on the ground that it is still commercially confidential.

9 The Secretary of State may by order substitute for the period for the time being specified in subsection (8) above such other period as he considers appropriate.

Supplementary¶

^I55^C97124 Advisory committee for purposes of Part VI.¶

1 The Secretary of State shall appoint a committee to provide him with advice—

a on the exercise of his powers under sections 111, 112 and 113 above;

b on the exercise of any power under this Part to make regulations;

and on such other matters concerning his functions under this Part as he may from time to time direct. For other functions of the committee, see Part 2 of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

2 The chairman and other members of the committee shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of their appointment.

3 The Secretary of State shall pay to the members of the committee such remuneration (if any) and such allowances as he may, with the consent of the Treasury, determine.

^I56125 Delegation of enforcement functions.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, by an agreement made with any public authority, delegate to that authority or to any officer appointed by an authority exercising functions on behalf of that authority any of his enforcement functions under this Part, subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be specified in the agreement.

2 For the purposes of this section the following are “enforcement functions” of the Secretary of State, that is to say, his functions under—

section 110;
section 114(1) and (4);
section 116;
section 118(10); and
section 121;

and “inspector” in sections 115 and 117 includes, to the extent of the delegation, any inspector appointed by an authority other than the Secretary of State by virtue of an agreement under this section.

3 The Secretary of State shall, if and so far as an agreement under this section so provides, make payments to the authority to reimburse the authority the expenses incurred in the performance of functions delegated under this section; but no such agreement shall be made without the approval of the Treasury.

126 Mode of exercise of certain functions.¶

1 Any power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this Part (other than the power conferred by section 113 above) is exercisable, where the regulations to be made relate to any matter with which the Minister is concerned, by the Secretary of State and the Minister acting jointly.

2 Any function of the Secretary of State under this Part (other than a power to make regulations) is exercisable, where the function is to be exercised in relation to a matter with which the Minister is concerned, by the Secretary of State and the Minister acting jointly (but subject to subsection (3) below).

3 Any function of the Secretary of State under sections 108(8) and 110 above is exercisable, where the function is to be exercised in relation to a matter with which the Agency is concerned—

a if it is a matter with which the Minister is also concerned, by the Secretary of State, the Minister and the Agency acting jointly;

b otherwise, by the Secretary of State and the Agency acting jointly.

4 Accordingly, references in this Part to the Secretary of State shall, where subsection (1), (2) or (3) above applies, be treated as references to the authorities in question acting jointly.

5 The Agency shall be consulted before—

a any regulations are made under this Part, other than under section 113 above, or

b any consent is granted or varied.

6 The reference in section 113 above to expenditure of the Secretary of State in discharging functions under this Part in relation to consents shall be taken to include a reference to the corresponding expenditure of the Minister in discharging those functions jointly with the Secretary of State.

7 The validity of anything purporting to be done in pursuance of the exercise of a function of the Secretary of State under this Part shall not be affected by any question whether that thing fell, by virtue of this section, to be done jointly with the Minister or the Agency (or both).

8 In this section—

“the Agency” means the Food Standards Agency; and
“the Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

9 In the application of this section to Scotland, the reference in subsection (8) to the Food Standards Agency is to be read as a reference to Food Standards Scotland.

^I57127 Definitions.¶

1 In this Part—

“acquire”, in relation to genetically modified organisms, includes any method by which such organisms may come to be in a person’s possession, other than by their being imported;
“consent” means a consent granted under section 111 above, and a reference to the limitations or conditions to which a consent is subject is a reference to the limitations or conditions subject to which the consent for the time being has effect;
“descendant”, in relation to a genetically modified organism, means any other organism whose genes or other genetic material is derived, through any number of generations, from that organism by any process of reproduction;
“import” means import into the United Kingdom;
“premises” includes any land;
“prohibition notice” means a notice under section 110 above.

2 This Part, except in so far as it relates to importations of genetically modified organisms, applies to the territorial sea adjacent to England as it applies in England and applies to the territorial sea adjacent to Wales as it applies in Wales and applies to any area for the time being designated under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964 ^M133 as it applies in England .

^C54 Part VII Nature Conservation in Great Britain and Countryside Matters in Wales¶

New Councils for England, Scotland and Wales¶

^F846128 Creation and constitution of new Councils.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F846129 Grants to the Council¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Countryside matters¶

^F846130 Countryside functions of Welsh Council.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nature conservation in Great Britain¶

^F846131 Nature conservation functions: preliminary.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F846132 General functions of the Council.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F846133 Special functions of Councils.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F846134 Grants and loans by the Council.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transfer of property, rights and liabilities to new Councils¶

135 Schemes for the transfer of property etc. of the Nature Conservancy Council.¶

^F621. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

136 Transfer to Welsh Council of certain property etc. of Countryside Commission.¶

^F622. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Employment by new Councils of staff of existing bodies¶

137 Offers of employment to employees of Nature Conservancy Council and certain employees of Countryside Commission.¶

^F623. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dissolution of Nature Conservancy Council¶

138 Winding up and dissolution of Nature Conservancy Council.¶

^F624. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transitional provisions and savings¶

139 Transitional provisions and savings.¶

Schedule 11 to this Act (which contains transitional provisions and savings relating to this Part) shall have effect.

Part VIII Miscellaneous¶

Other controls on substances, articles or waste¶

^C55140 Power to prohibit or restrict the importation, use, supply or storage of injurious substances or articles.¶

1 The Secretary of State may by regulations prohibit or restrict—

a the importation into and the landing and unloading in the United Kingdom,

b the use for any purpose,

c the supply for any purpose, and

d the storage,

of any specified substance or article if he considers it appropriate to do so for the purpose of preventing the substance or article from causing pollution of the environment or harm to human health or to the health of animals or plants.

2 Any such prohibition or restriction may apply—

a in all, or only in specified, areas;

b in all, or only in specified, circumstances or if conditions imposed by the regulations are not complied with; and

c to all, or only to specified descriptions of, persons.

3 Regulations under this section may—

a confer on the Secretary of State power to direct that any substance or article whose use, supply or storage is prohibited or restricted is to be treated as waste or controlled waste of any description and in relation to any such substance or article—

i to apply, with or without modification, specified provisions of Part II; or

ii to direct that it be disposed of or treated in accordance with the direction;

b confer on the Secretary of State power, where a substance or article has been imported, landed or unloaded in contravention of a prohibition or restriction imposed under subsection (1)(a) above, to require that the substance or article be disposed of or treated in or removed from the United Kingdom;

c confer powers corresponding to those conferred by section 108 of the Environment Act 1995 on persons authorised for any purpose of the regulations by the Secretary of State or any local or other authority; and

d include such other incidental and supplemental, and such transitional provisions, as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

4 The Secretary of State may, by regulations under this section, direct that, for the purposes of any power conferred on him under subsection (3)(b) above, any prohibition or restriction on the importation into or the landing and unloading in the United Kingdom imposed—

^F1099a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b by or under any enactment,

shall be treated as imposed under subsection (1)(a) above and any power conferred on him under subsection (3)(b) above shall be exercisable accordingly.

^F8115 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 Subject to subsection (7) below, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State before he makes any regulations under this section other than regulations under subsection (4) above—

^F888a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b ^F828... to publish in the London Gazette and, if the regulations apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland, the Edinburgh Gazette or, as the case may be, Belfast Gazette and in any other publication which he considers appropriate, a notice indicating the effect of the proposed regulations and specifying—

i the date on which it is proposed that the regulations will come into force;

ii a place where a draft of the proposed regulations may be inspected free of charge by members of the public during office hours; and

iii a period of not less than fourteen days, beginning with the date on which the notice is first published, during which representations in writing may be made to the Secretary of State about the proposed regulations; and

c to consider any representations which are made to him in accordance with the notice.

7 The Secretary of State may make regulations under this section in relation to any substance or article without observing the requirements of subsection (6) above where it appears to him that there is an imminent risk, if those requirements are observed, that serious pollution of the environment will be caused.

8 The Secretary of State may, after performing the duty imposed on him by subsection (6) above with respect to any proposed regulations, make the regulations either—

a in the form of the draft mentioned in subsection (6)(b) above, or

b in that form with such modifications as he considers appropriate;

but the Secretary of State shall not make any regulations incorporating modifications unless he is of opinion that it is appropriate for the requirements of subsection (6) above to be disregarded.

9 Regulations under this section may provide that a person who contravenes or fails to comply with a specified provision of the regulations or causes or permits another person to contravene or fail to comply with a specified provision of the regulations commits an offence and may prescribe the maximum penalty for the offence.

10 No offence under the regulations shall be made punishable with imprisonment for more than two years or punishable on summary conviction with a fine exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (if not calculated on a daily basis) or, in the case of a continuing offence, exceeding one-tenth of the level on the standard scale specified as the maximum penalty for the original offence. —

a exceeding one-tenth of the level on the standard scale specified as the maximum penalty for the original offence, or

b if there is no maximum penalty for the original offence, exceeding one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale.

10A Regulations under this section may provide for an enforcement officer to give to a person whom the enforcement officer has reason to believe has committed an offence under the regulations a notice offering the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

10B In subsection (10A), an “enforcement officer” means a person referred to in subsection (3)(c).

10C Where provision under subsection (10A) is made in regulations under this section, the regulations may—

a provide for the amount of the fixed penalty to be different in different cases or descriptions of case,

b impose requirements on persons to whom a fixed notice is given to provide their name, address and date of birth,

c create offences for failure to comply with requirements mentioned in paragraph (b), subject to a maximum penalty, on summary conviction, of a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale,

d enable enforcement officers to give certificates as to proof of payment or non-payment of a fixed penalty and for such certificates to be evidence of the facts stated in them.

10D Where provision under subsection (10A) is made in regulations under this section, the regulations must require a fixed penalty notice—

a to set out the particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence as are necessary for giving reasonable information about the offence,

b to set out the amount of the fixed penalty,

c if the amount of the fixed penalty may be discounted in certain circumstances, to set out those circumstances and the amount of the discount,

d to set out the period within which the fixed penalty is to be paid, the person to whom it is to be paid and the arrangements for doing so,

e to set out the effect of paying the fixed penalty within the payment period and the consequences of not paying the fixed penalty within that period.

11 In this section—

“enactment” includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament;
“the environment” means the air, water and land, or any of those media, and the medium of air includes the air within buildings and the air within other natural or man-made structures above or below ground;
“specified” means specified in the regulations; and
“substance” means any natural or artificial substance, whether in solid or liquid form or in the form of a gas or vapour and it includes mixtures of substances.

141 Power to regulate the importation or exportation of waste or the transit of waste for export.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make provision for, about or connected with the regulation of the importation or exportation of waste or the transit of waste for export.

1A Provision that may be made in regulations under this section includes provision prohibiting or restricting—

a the importation of waste;

b the landing and unloading of waste in the United Kingdom;

c the exportation of waste;

d the loading of waste for exportation;

e the transit of waste for export.

1B The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (1A) includes provision which relates to—

a the intended final destination of waste, or

b the countries or territories it is intended to pass through before reaching that destination.

2 Regulations under this section may make different provision for different descriptions of waste or waste of any description in different circumstances.

3 Regulations under this section may confer functions on the Secretary of State or a waste regulation authority, including functions—

a involving the exercise of a discretion;

b relating to enforcement.

^F10924 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5 Regulations under this section may—

^F829a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

aa provide for the Secretary of State to issue general directions as to the exercise by waste regulation authorities of their functions in connection with the regulation of the importation or exportation of waste or the transit of waste for export;

b impose or provide for the imposition of prohibitions either absolutely or only if conditions or procedures ^F808... are not complied with;

ba provide for the charging by waste regulation authorities of fees or charges payable by persons involved in the importation or exportation of waste or the transit of waste for export;

bb provide that such fees or charges may be used by waste regulation authorities to meet costs incurred in exercising their functions in connection with the regulation of those activities;

c impose duties to be complied with before, on or after any importation or exportation of waste by persons who are, or are to be, consignors, consignees, carriers or holders of the waste or any waste derived from it;

d confer powers corresponding, with or without modifications, to section 108(4) of the Environment Act 1995 (powers of entry and seizure) on persons authorised by the Secretary of State or a waste regulation authority;

e provide for appeals to the Secretary of State from determinations made by waste regulation authorities;

f provide for the keeping by the Secretary of State, waste regulation authorities and waste collection authorities of public registers of information relating to the importation and exportation of waste and for the transmission of such information between any of those persons;

fa make provision authorising the disclosure of information by Officers of Revenue and Customs to waste regulation authorities;

fb confer, on persons designated as general customs officials under section 3(1) of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, functions relating to the seizure and detention of waste that has arrived at, or entered into, the United Kingdom or is to leave the United Kingdom;

g create offences, subject to the limitation that no offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for more than two years or punishable on summary conviction with imprisonment for more than the prescribed term or a fine exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (if not calculated on a daily basis) or, in the case of a continuing offence, exceeding one-tenth of the level on the standard scale specified as the maximum penalty for the original offence. —

i exceeding one-tenth of the level on the standard scale specified as the maximum penalty for the original offence, or

ii if there is no maximum penalty for the original offence, exceeding one-tenth of the greater of £5,000 or level 4 on the standard scale.

h make provision for, about or connected with the imposition of civil sanctions.

5A In subsection (5)(g), “the prescribed term” means—

a in relation to England and Wales, where the offence is a summary offence, 51 weeks;

b in relation to England and Wales, where the offence is triable either way, the general limit in a magistrates’ court;

c in relation to Scotland and Northern Ireland, six months.

5AA Regulations under this section that—

a make provision for a summary offence under the law of England and Wales to be punishable with imprisonment for more than 6 months (“the relevant provision”), and

b are made—

i on or after 2 May 2022, but

ii before the day on which section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force,

must also provide that, in relation to an offence committed before the day referred to in paragraph (b)(ii), any reference in the relevant provision to a term of imprisonment of more than 6 months is to be read as a reference to a term of imprisonment of 6 months.

5B For the purposes of this section “civil sanction” means a sanction of a kind for which provision may be made under Part 3 of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (fixed monetary penalties, discretionary requirements, stop notices and enforcement undertakings).

5C The regulations may make provision for, about or connected with the imposition of a sanction of that kind whether or not—

a the conduct in respect of which the sanction is imposed constitutes an offence, or

b the person imposing it is a regulator for the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

5D Regulations under this section may make provision in relation to any area of sea or seabed or its subsoil within the seaward limits of—

a the area designated by Order in Council under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964 (designation of continental shelf), or

b the area designated by Order in Council under section 41(3) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (designation of exclusive economic zone).

5E Regulations under this section may make consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision, including provision amending, repealing or revoking primary legislation or assimilated direct legislation.

6 In this section—

“the environment” means land, water and air or any of them;
“exportation”, in relation to waste, means causing it to leave the United Kingdom;
“harm” includes offence to any of man’s senses;
“importation”, in relation to waste, means causing it to arrive at, or enter into, the United Kingdom;
“primary legislation” means—
1. an Act of Parliament,
2. a Measure or Act of Senedd Cymru,
3. an Act of the Scottish Parliament, or
4. Northern Ireland legislation;
“transit of waste for export” means the transportation or keeping of waste, that has arrived at, or has entered, the United Kingdom, for the purpose of facilitating its leaving the United Kingdom;
“waste”, “waste collection authority”, and “waste regulation authority” have the same meaning as in Part II; and
“the United Kingdom” includes its territorial sea.

7 In the application of this section to Northern Ireland and the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Northern Ireland “waste regulation authority” means the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

^E65142 Powers to obtain information about potentially hazardous substances.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of assessing their potential for causing pollution of the environment or harm to human health, by regulations make provision for and in connection with the obtaining of relevant information relating to substances which may be specified by him by order for the purposes of this section.

2 The Secretary of State shall not make an order under subsection (1) above specifying any substance—

a which was first supplied in any member State or in the United Kingdom on or after 18th September 1981; or

b in so far as it is a regulated substance for the purposes of any relevant enactment.

^F9043 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 Regulations under this section may—

a prescribe the descriptions of relevant information which are to be furnished under this section in relation to specified substances;

b impose requirements on manufacturers, importers or suppliers generally to furnish information prescribed under paragraph (a) above;

c provide for the imposition of requirements on manufacturers, importers or suppliers generally to furnish relevant information relating to products or articles containing specified substances in relation to which information has been furnished in pursuance of paragraph (b) above;

d provide for the imposition of requirements on particular manufacturers, importers or suppliers to furnish further information relating to specified substances in relation to which information has been furnished in pursuance of paragraph (b) above;

e provide for the imposition of requirements on particular manufacturers or importers to carry out tests of specified substances and to furnish information of the results of the tests;

f authorise persons to comply with requirements to furnish information imposed on them by or under the regulations by means of representative persons or bodies;

g impose restrictions on the disclosure of information obtained under this section and provide for determining what information is, and what information is not, to be treated as furnished in confidence;

h create offences, subject to the limitation that no offence shall be punishable with imprisonment or punishable on summary conviction with a fine exceeding level 5 on the standard scale;

i make any public authority designated by the regulations responsible for the enforcement of the regulations to such extent as may be specified in the regulations;

j include such other incidental and supplemental, and such transitional, provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

5 The Secretary of State shall have regard, in imposing or providing for the imposition of any requirement under subsection (4)(b), (c), (d) or (e) above, to the cost likely to be involved in complying with the requirement.

6 In this section—

“the environment” means the air, water and land or any of them;
“relevant information”, in relation to substances, products or articles, means information relating to their properties, production, distribution, importation or use or intended use and, in relation to products or articles, to their disposal as waste;
“substance” means any natural or artificial substance, whether in solid or liquid form or in the form of a gas or vapour and it includes mixtures of substances.

^F6657 The enactments which are relevant for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) above are the following—

the Explosives Regulations 2014;
the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154) in relation to radioactive material or radioactive waste;
Parts 3 to 8 and 16 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012;
Part IV of the ^M68Agriculture Act 1970;
the ^M69Misuse of Drugs Act 1971;
Part III of the ^M70Food and Environment Protection Act 1985; ^F626. . .
the ^M71Food Safety Act 1990;
the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2006;

and a substance is a regulated substance for the purposes of any such enactment in so far as any prohibition, restriction or requirement is imposed in relation to it by or under the enactment for the purposes of that enactment.

^F254143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

^I58144 Amendments of hazardous substances legislation.¶

Schedule 13 to this Act (which contains miscellaneous amendments to the legislation relating to hazardous substances) shall have effect.

^F797145 Penalties for offences of polluting controlled waters etc.¶

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pollution at sea¶

146 Deposits of substances and articles in the sea, etc.¶

1 Part II of the ^M72Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (under which licences are required for deposits by British vessels etc at sea anywhere or by foreign vessels etc in United Kingdom waters or, in certain circumstances, within British fishery limits) shall be amended as follows.

^F11072 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F11073 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F11074 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

^F11075 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 In section 21 (penalties for offences)—

a in subsection (2), for the words “2(4) and 9(1)” there shall be substituted the words “and 2(4)”; and

b after that subsection, there shall be inserted the following subsection—

^F10517 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 In Schedule 2 (powers in relation to vessels, aircraft, etc. for the purposes of Part I or Part II or both Parts of the Act), in paragraph 3(3) (removal to United Kingdom), after the words “Part I” there shall be inserted the words “or II”.

^I59147 Public registers relating to deposits in the sea and incineration at sea.¶

In Part II of the ^M73Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, for section 14 (registers of licences) there shall be substituted the following section—

14 Duty of licensing authority to keep public registers of information.

1 It shall be the duty of each licensing authority, as respects licences for which it is the licensing authority, to maintain, in accordance with regulations, a register containing prescribed particulars of or relating to—

a applications for licences made to that authority;

b the licences issued by that authority;

c variations of licences effected by that authority;

d revocations of licences effected by that authority;

e convictions for any offences under section 9 above;

f information obtained or furnished in pursuance of section 8(3), (4) or (5) above;

g the occasions on which either of the Ministers has carried out any operation under section 10 above; and

h such other matters relating to operations for which licences are needed under this Part of this Act as may be prescribed.

2 No information shall be included in any register which, in the opinion of either of the Ministers, is such that its disclosure on the register—

a would be contrary to the interests of national security, or

b would prejudice to an unreasonable degree some person’s commercial interests.

3 Information excluded from a register by virtue of subsection (2)(b) above shall be treated as ceasing to prejudice a person’s commercial interests at the expiry of the period of four years beginning with the date on which the Minister made his decision under that subsection; but, on the application of any person to whom it relates, the Minister shall decide whether the information should be included or continue to be excluded from the register.

4 Where information of any description is excluded from a register by virtue of subsection (2)(b) above, a statement shall be entered in the register indicating the existence of information of that description.

5 It shall be the duty of each licensing authority—

a to secure that the register maintained by the authority under this section is available, at all reasonable times, for inspection by the public free of charge; and

b to afford to members of the public facilities for obtaining copies of entries, on payment of reasonable charges.

6 Registers under this section may be kept in any form.

7 In this section “prescribed” means prescribed in regulations.

8 Either of the Ministers may exercise any power to make regulations under this section and any such power shall be exercisable by statutory instrument, subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

^F255148 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .¶

Control of Dogs¶

^I60^C56149 Seizure of stray dogs.¶

1 Every local authority shall appoint an officer (under whatever title the authority may determine) for the purpose of discharging the functions imposed or conferred by this section for dealing with stray dogs found in the area of the authority.

2 The officer may delegate the discharge of his functions to another person but he shall remain responsible for securing that the functions are properly discharged.

3 Where the officer has reason to believe that any dog found in a public place or on any other land or premises is a stray dog, he shall (if practicable) seize the dog and detain it, but, where he finds it on land or premises which is not a public place, only with the consent of the owner or occupier of the land or premises.

4 Where any dog seized under this section wears a collar having inscribed thereon or attached thereto the address of any person, or the owner of the dog is known, the officer shall serve on the person whose address is given on the collar, or on the owner, a notice in writing stating that the dog has been seized and where it is being kept and stating that the dog will be liable to be disposed of if it is not claimed within seven clear days after the service of the notice and the amounts for which he would be liable under subsection (5) below are not paid.

5 A person claiming to be the owner of a dog seized under this section shall not be entitled to have the dog returned to him unless he pays all the expenses incurred by reason of its detention and such further amount as is for the time being prescribed.

6 Where any dog seized under this section has been detained for seven clear days after the seizure or, where a notice has been served under subsection (4) above, the service of the notice and the owner has not claimed the dog and paid the amounts due under subsection (5) above the officer may dispose of the dog—

a by selling it or giving it to a person who will, in his opinion, care properly for the dog;

b by selling it or giving it to an establishment for the reception of stray dogs; or

c by destroying it in a manner to cause as little pain as possible;

but no dog seized under this section shall be sold or given for the purposes of vivisection.

7 Where a dog is disposed of under subsection (6)(a) or (b) above to a person acting in good faith, the ownership of the dog shall be vested in the recipient.

8 The officer shall keep a register containing the prescribed particulars of or relating to dogs seized under this section and the register shall be available, at all reasonable times, for inspection by the public free of charge.

9 The officer shall cause any dog detained under this section to be properly fed and maintained.

10 Notwithstanding anything in this section, the officer may cause a dog detained under this section to be destroyed before the expiration of the period mentioned in subsection (6) above where he is of the opinion that this should be done to avoid suffering.

11 In this section—

“local authority”, in relation to England ^F256. . ., means a district council, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly in relation to Wales, means a county council or a county borough council and, in relation to Scotland, means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;
“officer” means an officer appointed under subsection (1) above;
“prescribed” means prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State; and
“public place” means—
1. as respects England and Wales, any highway and any other place to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access;
2. as respects Scotland, any road (within the meaning of the ^M74Roads (Scotland) Act 1984) and any other place to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access;
and, for the purposes of section 160 below in its application to this section, the proper address of the owner of a dog which wears a collar includes the address given on the collar.

^I61^E68150 Delivery of stray dogs to ^F590. . . local authority officer.¶

1 Any person (in this section referred to as “the finder”) who takes possession of a stray dog shall forthwith either—

a return the dog to its owner; or

b take the dog—

i to the officer of the local authority for the area in which the dog was found; ^F588. . .

ii ^F588. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and shall inform the officer of the local authority ^F589. . . where the dog was found.

2 Where a dog has been taken under subsection (1) above to the officer of a local authority, then—

a if the finder desires to keep the dog, he shall inform the officer of this fact and shall furnish his name and address and the officer shall, having complied with the procedure (if any) prescribed under subsection (6) below, allow the finder to remove the dog;

b if the finder does not desire to keep the dog, the officer shall, unless he has reason to believe it is not a stray, treat it as if it had been seized by him under section 149 above.

3 Where the finder of a dog keeps the dog by virtue of this section he must keep it for not less than one month.

4 In Scotland a person who keeps a dog by virtue of this section for a period of two months without its being claimed by the person who has right to it shall at the end of that period become the owner of the dog.

5 If the finder of a dog fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (1) or (3) above he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

6 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, prescribe the procedure to be followed under subsection (2)(a) above.

7 In this section “local authority” and “officer” have the same meaning as in section 149 above.

^I62151 Enforcement of orders about collars and tags for dogs.¶

1 Section 13 of the Animal Health Act 1981 (orders for control, etc. of dogs) shall be amended by the insertion, after subsection (2), of the following subsections—

2 In section 50(1) of that Act (meaning of “local authority”) at the end there shall be inserted the words “and to section 13(3) above”.

3 In section 60(1) of that Act (enforcement), at the end, there shall be inserted the words “but subject, in the case of orders under section 13, to any provision made under subsection (3) of that section.”

Straw and stubble burning¶

^I63152 Burning of straw and stubble etc.¶

1 The appropriate Minister may by regulations prohibit or restrict the burning of crop residues on agricultural land by persons engaged in agriculture and he may (by the same or other regulations) provide exemptions from any prohibition or restriction so imposed.

2 Regulations providing an exemption from any prohibition or restriction may make the exemption applicable—

a in all, or only in specified, areas;

b to all, or only to specified, crop residues; or

c in all, or only in specified, circumstances.

3 Any power to make regulations under this section includes power—

a to make different provision for different areas or circumstances;

b where burning of a crop residue is restricted, to impose requirements to be complied with before or after the burning;

c to create offences subject to the limitation that no offence shall be made punishable otherwise than on summary conviction and the fine prescribed for the offence shall not exceed level 5 on the standard scale; and

d to make such incidental, supplemental and transitional provision as the appropriate Minister considers appropriate.

4 Where it appears to the appropriate Minister appropriate to do so in consequence of any regulations made under the foregoing provisions of this section, the appropriate Minister may, by order, repeal any byelaws of local authorities dealing with the burning of crop residues on agricultural land.

5 In this section—

“agriculture” and “agricultural land” have, as respects England or as respects Wales, the same meaning as in the ^M75Agriculture Act 1947 and, as respects Scotland, the same meaning as in the ^M76Agriculture (Scotland) Act 1948;
“crop residue” means straw or stubble or any other crop residue;
“the appropriate Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or the Secretary of State or both of them.

Environmental expenditure¶

153 Financial assistance for environmental purposes.¶

1 The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, give financial assistance to, or for the purposes of, any of the following—

za Cenex (Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies) in relation to its activities as respects England and Wales and Northern Ireland;

a the United Nations Environment Programme;

b the European Environmental Bureau;

c the chemicals programme of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development;

d the joint inter-Governmental panel on Climate Change of the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organisation;

e the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources;

f the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

g the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat;

h the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and any protocol to that Convention;

i the Convention and Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer;

j the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals;

k the Groundwork Foundation and Trusts;

l the environmental protection technology scheme for research and development in the United Kingdom in relation to such technology;

m the programme known as the special grants programme so far as it relates to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment of, or of any part of, Great Britain.

n the programmes of regional and islands councils in Scotland, as local authorities exercising functions under the Sewerage (Scotland) Act ^M771968, for the carrying out of works to improve the quality of inland, coastal and relevant territorial waters, as defined in section 30A of the Control of Pollution Act ^M781974, or otherwise to benefit the environment.

n the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce so far as its activities relate to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment.

o UK 2000 Scotland.

p the programme known as the Environment Wales programme so far as it relates to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment of, or of any part of, Wales.

q the grant programme known as the Environmental Action Fund;

r the programmes or schemes of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation;

s the programmes or schemes of the International Federation for Housing and Planning so far as they relate to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment;

t the programmes or schemes of the INTA.AIVN-International Urban Development Association so far as they relate to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment;

u the scheme known as the Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species that provides support for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources and habitats and for the furtherance of the aims of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

v the programme known as the Promotion of Positive Environmental Management in Industry Programme.

w any national or international architectural award scheme or competition scheme relating to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment;

x the National Forest Company.

y the Energy Saving Trust Limited.

z the Convention on Biological Diversity;

aa the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

bb the programme known as Radon Measurement and Support for Remedial Works Campaigns in England;

cc the programme known as the Mersey Basin Campaign, in so far as it relates to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment, administered by the Mersey Basin Business Foundation;

dd Going For Green Limited, in so far as the activities of that company relate to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment.

ee the programme known as the Sustainable Action Fund.

ff The Tidy Britain Group.

gg The Wales Wildlife and Countryside Link.

hh Environmental Campaigns Limited.

ii the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic.

jj the programme known as Pollution Emergency Response Services;

kk the programme known as the Waste and Resources Action Programme;

ll the Protocol on Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects to the Energy Charter Treaty;

mm Zero Waste Scotland;

nn any scheme or programme for the storage, treatment or disposal of any material or product for the purpose of preventing or reducing environmental damage;

oo the programme known as the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Programme;

pp the Carbon Trust;

qq the fund known as the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund;

rr ^F472. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

rr any scheme or programme for the purpose of preventing or reducing waste, or of promoting resource efficiency, including (without prejudice to those generalities) the Zero Waste programme;

ss the Carbon Trust;

tt any scheme for the regulation of emissions from motor vehicles.

uu the scheme known as the Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme for Scotland.

uu the International Sustainable Development Fund;

vv the scheme known as the Bio-energy Infrastructure Scheme.

ww the scheme known as the World Summit on Sustainable Development Implementation Fund;

xx the programme known as the Envirowise Programme, in relation to its activities in England.

yy the Zero Carbon Hub Limited.

zz the scheme known as the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme.

z1 the programme known as the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme.

z2 any programme of measures to achieve, in relation to a body of water, environmental objectives of the kind that may be set in relation to that body of water under Part 1 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 or (as the case may be) schedule 1 of the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Solway Tweed River Basin District) Regulations 2004.

z3 the programme known as the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.

z4 a regional land use partnership as defined in section 35(7) of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, so far as its activities relate to the protection, improvement or better understanding of the environment;

z5 any scheme, programme or organisation for the purposes of assessing—

i greenhouse gas emissions from land (including from the use of land),

ii the potential for reducing those emissions;

z6 any scheme, programme or organisation for the purposes of assessing—

i biodiversity supported by land,

ii the potential for improving that diversity;

z7 any scheme, programme or organisation for the purposes of assessing—

i soil quality,

ii the potential for improving the capacity of soil to support life (whether directly or indirectly);

z8 any scheme, programme or organisation for the purposes of eliminating or reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the heating of buildings;

z9 any scheme, programme or organisation for the purposes of improving the energy efficiency of buildings;

z10 any scheme, programme or organisation for the purposes of the protection, improvement or better understanding of air quality.

aaa the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership Limited, in relation to its activities as respects England and Wales;