Water Resources Act 1991

108Schemes for transfer to the Authority of functions in relation to main river

(1)The Authority may at any time prepare and submit to either of the Ministers for confirmation a scheme making provision for the transfer to the Authority from any drainage body of—

(a)all rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities (including liabilities incurred in connection with works) over or in connection with a main river; and

(b)any property held by the drainage body for the purpose of, or in connection with, any functions so transferred;

and the Authority shall prepare such a scheme and submit it to one of the Ministers if it is directed to do so by that Minister.

(2)A scheme prepared and submitted under subsection (1) above may make provisions for any matter supplemental to or consequential on the transfers for which the scheme provides.

(3)The Minister to whom a scheme is submitted under this section may by order made by statutory instrument confirm that scheme; and Schedule 14 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the procedure to be followed in connection with the making of such an order and with respect to challenges to such orders.

(4)An order under this section may contain provisions with respect to the persons by whom all or any of the expenses incurred by the Ministers or other persons in connection with the making or confirmation of the order, or with the making of the scheme confirmed by the order, are to be borne.

(5)Where, under a scheme made by the Authority under this section, liabilities incurred in connection with drainage works are transferred to the Authority from a local authority, the Authority may require the local authority to make contributions to the Authority towards the discharge of the liabilities.

(6)If the amount to be paid by a local authority by way of contributions required under subsection (5) above is not agreed between the Authority and the local authority, it shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator appointed—

(a)by agreement between them; or

(b)in default of agreement, by the Ministers.

(7)The relevant Minister shall by regulations provide for the payment, subject to such exceptions or conditions as may be specified in the regulations, of compensation by the Authority to any officer or other employee of a drainage body who suffers loss of employment or loss or diminution of emoluments which is attributable to a scheme under this section or anything done in pursuance of such a scheme.

(8)Regulations under subsection (7) above may include provision—

(a)as to the manner in which and the persons to whom any claim for compensation by virtue of the regulations is to be made; and

(b)for the determination of all questions arising under the regulations.

(9)In this section—

• “drainage body” means an internal drainage board or any other body having power to make or maintain works for the drainage of land;

• “the relevant Minister”—

  (a)

  in relation to employees of a drainage body wholly in Wales, means the Secretary of State;

  (b)

  in relation to employees of a drainage body partly in Wales, means the Ministers; and

  (c)

  in any other case, means the Minister.