(1)The Secretary of State may from time to time publish a statement setting out strategic priorities and objectives for the Authority in carrying out relevant functions relating wholly or mainly to England.
(2)The Authority must carry out those functions in accordance with any statement published under this section.
(3)In formulating a statement under this section, the Secretary of State—
(a)must have regard to the duties imposed on the Authority under section 2,
(b)must have regard to social and environmental matters, and
(c)may have regard to such other matters as the Secretary of State thinks fit.
(4)Before publishing a statement under this section, the Secretary of State must consult—
(a)the Authority,
(b)the Council,
(c)relevant undertakers,
(d)[F2water supply licensees and sewerage licensees],
(e)the Environment Agency,
(f)the Welsh Ministers,
(g)the NRBW, and
(h)anyone else the Secretary of State thinks appropriate.
(5)Before publishing a statement under this section the Secretary of State must—
(a)lay a draft of the statement before Parliament, and
(b)then wait until the end of the 40-day period.
(6)The Secretary of State may not publish the statement under this section if, within the 40-day period, either House of Parliament resolves not to approve it.
(7)“The 40-day period” means the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before Parliament (or, if it is not laid before each House on the same day, the later of the days on which it is laid).
(8)When calculating the 40-day period, ignore any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than 4 days.
(9)In this section “relevant functions relating wholly or mainly to England” means the functions mentioned in [F3section 2(1)] so far as they relate to appointment areas wholly or mainly in England.
(10)In subsection (9) “appointment area” means an area for which an appointment is held under Chapter 1 of Part 2.]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 2A, 2B substituted for s. 2A (6.4.2015) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 24(1), 94(3); S.I. 2015/773, art. 2(1)(c) (with art. 4)
F2Words in s. 2A(4)(d) substituted (1.4.2016) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 4; S.I. 2016/465, art. 2(m), Sch. 1 para. 1(d) (with Sch. 2) (as amended (22.3.2017) by S.I. 2017/462, art. 16)
F3Words in s. 2A(9) substituted (31.3.2017) by The Water Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments etc.) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/506), arts. 1(1), 6(2)