Paragraph 10: Revocation of licences
275.Paragraph 10 gives the Commission the power to revoke a water or sewerage services licence under certain circumstances.
276.Sub-paragraph (1) provides that a licence may in principle be revoked. Sub-paragraph (2) empowers the Commission to revoke a licence where there has been a failure to comply with the terms of an enforcement notice. Sub-paragraph (3) empowers the Commission to revoke a licence where there has been a failure to comply with a term or condition of a licence and where it considers that the provider would fail to comply with an enforcement notice relating to the contravention.
277.Sub-paragraph (4) allows the Commission to revoke a licence if it considers that a water or sewerage services provider no longer has the ability to perform adequately the activities in their licence. In making this decision the Commission must have regard to the factors mentioned in section 7(2) of the Act and to other matters specified under that subsection. Finally, sub-paragraph (5) allows the Commission to revoke a licence if requested to do so by a provider.
278.Sub-paragraph (6) provides that before revoking a licence the Commission must consider the terms and condition of the licence, the provider’s responsibilities to its customers and any other relevant matters. Sub-paragraph (7) provides that a notice of revocation must specify the reasons for the revocation and the date from which it will have effect.
279.Sub-paragraph (8) allows a provider on whom a notice of revocation is served to appeal to the sheriff against the notice within 14 days. Sub-paragraph (9) empowers the sheriff to make any order in respect of such an appeal and provides that the decision of the sheriff is final.
280.Sub-paragraph (10) requires the Commission to send a copy of the notice of revocation to Scottish Water and the Scottish Ministers and to publish the notice, once it comes into effect.
