Advisory role of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
134.—(1) The Joint Nature Conservation Committee may provide advice or make representations to any competent authority in relation to—
(a)any question as to whether that authority is obliged to carry out an appropriate assessment in relation to a European offshore marine site under these Regulations;
(b)any appropriate assessment on which that authority is obliged to consult the Committee under these Regulations;
(c)any application made pursuant to regulation 77 and sent to the Committee by that authority pursuant to regulation 77(3);
(d)any decision of the Secretary of State in respect of which notice has been served on the Committee under regulation 90(3)(b) or 94(3)(b); and
(e)any decision of the appropriate authority in respect of which notice has been served on the Committee under regulation 98(3)(b).
(2) The Joint Nature Conservation Committee may undertake, commission or support (whether by financial means or otherwise) such research and scientific work as they consider is required for the purposes of providing advice or making representations under this regulation.