Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

Transfer schemes etc.

26 Transfers on dissolution of English Nature and Countryside Agency

(1) The power conferred by subsection (2) is exercisable in connection with the dissolution of English Nature and the Countryside Agency.

(2) The Secretary of State may make one or more schemes for the transfer of designated property, rights or liabilities of English Nature or the Countryside Agency to—

(a) Natural England,

(b) the Commission,

(c) a regional development agency, or

(d) a Minister of the Crown.

(3) On the transfer date, the designated property, rights or liabilities are transferred and vest in accordance with the scheme.

(4) A regional development agency is an agency established under section 1 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 (c. 45).

27 Continuing powers to make transfer schemes

(1) The powers conferred by this section are exercisable in connection with the efficient management for public purposes of any property, rights or liabilities.

(2) The Secretary of State may at any time make one or more schemes for the transfer of designated property, rights or liabilities of a Minister of the Crown to—

(a) Natural England,

(b) the Commission, or

(c) a person acting on behalf of Natural England and the Commission.

(3) The Secretary of State may at any time make one or more schemes for the transfer of designated property, rights or liabilities of—

(a) Natural England, or

(b) the Commission,

to a Minister of the Crown.

(4) On the transfer date, the designated property, rights or liabilities are transferred and vest in accordance with the scheme.

28 Transfer schemes: supplementary

(1) Schedule 3 contains further provisions relating to the making of schemes under sections 26 and 27.

(2) In sections 26 and 27 and Schedule 3—

• “designated” in relation to a scheme, means specified in or determined in accordance with the scheme;

• “the transfer date” means a date specified by a scheme as the date on which the scheme is to have effect.

29 Interim arrangements

The Secretary of State may by written notice require English Nature or the Countryside Agency to provide staff, premises and other facilities on a temporary basis to—

(a) Natural England, or

(b) the Commission.