9.—(1) The Council shall establish a group in connection with the exercise of the Council’s functions in relation to energy.
(2) Accordingly, in paragraph 10(1) of Schedule 1 to the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 (NI 12) after head (b) there shall be inserted —
“(bb)a group in connection with the exercise of its functions in relation to energy.”
(3) The following bodies are abolished—
(a)the group established by the Council under paragraph 10(1)(d) of Schedule 1 to the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 in connection with the exercise of the Council’s functions in relation to the supply of energy (other than electricity); and
(b)the Consumer Committee for Electricity, established under Article 7 of the Electricity Order.
(4) In the following provisions of this Part references to the Council’s relevant functions are references to the functions of the Council under—
(a)the Electricity Order;
(b)the Gas Order; and
(c)this Order.
10.—(1) The Council shall, before each financial year, publish a document (the “forward work programme”) containing a general description of the projects which it plans to undertake during the year in the exercise of its relevant functions (other than projects comprising routine activities in the exercise of those functions).
(2) That description shall include the objectives of each project.
(3) The forward work programme for any year shall also include an estimate of the overall expenditure which the Council expects to incur during the year in the exercise of its relevant functions.
(4) Before publishing the forward work programme for any year, the Council shall give notice—
(a)containing a draft of the forward work programme; and
(b)specifying the time within which representations or objections to the proposals contained in it may be made,
and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.
(5) The notice under paragraph (4) shall be published by the Council in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters contained in it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them.
(6) The Council shall send a copy of any notice given by it under paragraph (4) to the Authority and the Department.