Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16)

Part 1 E+W Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities

Chapter 1 E+W Natural England

Other functions E+W

9 Information services etc. E+W

(1) Natural England may—

(a) publish documents or provide information about any matter relating to its general purpose, or

(b) assist in the provision of such publications or information.

(2) Nothing in any other enactment imposing a duty or conferring a power on Natural England—

(a) to publish or assist in the publication of documents of a particular kind, or

(b) to provide or assist in the provision of information of a particular kind,

is to be read as limiting the power conferred by subsection (1).

Commencement Information

I1 S. 9 in force at 2.5.2006 by S.I. 2006/1176, art. 4

10 Consultancy services and training E+W

(1) Natural England may, if the conditions in subsection (2) are met, place the services of its officers or employees, or of any consultants it has engaged, at the disposal of any person.

(2) The conditions are that—

(a) the person has requested Natural England to act under subsection (1), and

(b) Natural England thinks that the request concerns a matter relating to its general purpose and presents special problems or requires special professional or technical skill.

(3) Natural England may provide training in relation to any matters in respect of which it has functions.

Commencement Information

I2 S. 10 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)

11 Power to charge for services and licences E+W

(1) Natural England may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, make such charges for its services as appear to it to be reasonable.

(2) “Services” includes, in particular, anything done under—

(a) section 4(1) or (4)(a) (advice);

(b) section 9 (information services etc.);

(c) section 10 (consultancy services).

(3) The Secretary of State may by order make provision requiring charges to be paid in respect of, and for the purpose of meeting the cost of, issuing licences to which this subsection applies.

(4) Subsection (3) applies to licences issued by Natural England under or by virtue of any enactment, other than licences for which charges are payable apart from this section.

(5) An order under subsection (3) may make provision as to—

(a) exemptions from or reductions in charges;

(b) remission of charges in whole or in part.

(6) The power to make an order under subsection (3) is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(7) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I3 S. 11(1) in force at 2.5.2006 by S.I. 2006/1176, art. 4

I4 S. 11(2)(a)(c)(3)-(7) in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)

I5 S. 11(2)(b) in force at 2.5.2006 by S.I. 2006/1176, art. 4

12 Power to bring criminal proceedings E+W

(1) Natural England may institute criminal proceedings.

(2) A person who is authorised by Natural England to prosecute on its behalf in proceedings before a magistrates' court is entitled to prosecute in such proceedings F1 ....

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 12(2) repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), s. 211(2), Sch. 21 para. 153, Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(h)(i)(xii)

Commencement Information

I6 S. 12 in force at 1.10.2006 by S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2 (with Sch.)

13 Incidental powers E+W

(1) Natural England may do anything that appears to it to be conducive or incidental to the discharge of its functions.

(2) In particular, Natural England may—

(a) enter into agreements;

(b) acquire or dispose of property;

(c) borrow money;

(d) subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, form bodies corporate or acquire or dispose of interests in bodies corporate;

(e) accept gifts;

(f) invest money.

Commencement Information

I7 S. 13 in force at 2.5.2006 by S.I. 2006/1176, art. 4