64.This section requires Scottish Water to have a code of practice on consultation.
65.Subsection (1) provides that the consultation code should set out the consultation Scottish Water will carry out on any significant activities and proposals for such activities, in respect of their core functions. The code must be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.
66.Subsection (2) requires the consultation code to include provision for consultation with those who live, work or have business in the area affected by the activity being consulted on, or those who represent the interests of such persons. The code must also contain provision about how consultation is to be carried out by Scottish Water and provision for Scottish Water to have regard to the views of those consulted.
67.Subsection (3) provides that Scottish Water must consult each Customer Panel before submitting the consultation code to Scottish Ministers, and have regard to their views. Subsection (4) provides for Scottish Ministers to approve the consultation code, and subsection (5) provides that the code only comes into force when Ministers have approved the code.
68.The code can be varied from time to time or replaced with a new one (Subsection (8)). Scottish Water is required to publish the code and provide a copy of it to anyone who asks for it (subsection (6) and must endeavour to comply with it (subsection (7)).