Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010

Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 3)S

1SThe Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 is amended as follows.

2SAfter section 2 (Water Customer Consultation Panels) insert—

“2ANational Consumer Council representations

(1)This section applies where the National Consumer Council (“the Council”) has exercised a function under section 8(1) of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (c. 17) (representative functions) in relation to the activities of Scottish Water.

(2)The persons listed in subsection (4) must have regard to any advice, information, proposal or representation made to them by the Council under section 8(1) of that Act.

(3)Any persons listed in subsection (4) to whom a proposal is made under section 8(1)(b) of that Act must, within 6 months of receipt, publish a summary of their responses to the proposal.

(4)The persons are—

(a)the Scottish Ministers,

(b)Scottish Water,

(c)the Water Industry Commission,

(d)the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland,

(e)the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.”.

3SIn section 4 (power of the Commission to require information) after subsection (3) insert—

“(4)Scottish Water must comply with any direction given to it by the Commission under section 25(5) of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (enforcement by regulator of notice to provide the National Consumer Council with information).”.

4SIn section 5 (annual reports by, and information from, the Commission), in subsection (2)—

(a)in paragraph (a)(i), for “representations made to it by a Customer Panel” substitute “ advice, information or representation made to it by the National Consumer Council under section 8(1)(a) or (c) of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 (representative functions) ”,

(b)in paragraph (a)(ii), for “recommendations made to it under section 2(4)” substitute “ proposals made to it under section 8(1)(b) of that Act ”,

(c)in paragraph (b)—

(i)after “such” insert “ advice, information, proposal or ”,

(ii)the words “or recommendation” are repealed.

5SIn section 6 (funding of the Commission), after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)Scottish Water must make to the National Consumer Council, in respect of the Council's expenses (as respects its activities relating to Scottish Water), payments of such amounts, and at such times, as the Scottish Ministers may direct.

(2B)Before making a direction under subsection (2A), the Scottish Ministers must consult the Council.”.

6SIn the title to section 6 (funding of the Commission), after “Commission” insert “ and the National Consumer Council ”.

7SIn the title to Part 1 (Water Industry Commission and Customer Panels), for “Customer Panels” substitute “ the representation of consumers ”.

8SIn section 27 (approval of customer standards code)—

(a)in subsection (1), for “each Water Customer Consultation Panel” substitute “ the National Consumer Council ”,

(b)in subsection (4), for “each Water Customer Consultation Panel” substitute “ the National Consumer Council ”.

9SIn section 28 (consultation code), in subsection (3)(a)—

(a)for “each Water Customer Consultation Panel” substitute “ the National Consumer Council ”,

(b)for “any Panel” substitute “ the Council ”.

10SIn section 29B (determination of maximum charges), in subsection (4)(a), for sub-paragraph (iii) substitute—

“(iii)the National Consumer Council,”.

11SIn section 29D(5) (statements regarding charges), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b)the National Consumer Council,”.

12SIn section 56A (directions may set objectives), in subsection (4), for the words “Convener” to “whole)” substitute “ National Consumer Council ”.

13SIn section 57 (information and reports), in subsection (6)(a), for “Convener of the Water Customer Consultation Panels” substitute “ National Consumer Council ”.