Subsection (1): the new section 29 of the 2002 Act: Charges for goods and services
100.Subsection (1) inserts new sections 29 to 29G into the 2002 Act. The new section 29 provides for Scottish Water to charge for goods and services. In contrast to the broad general power in the existing section 29(1) of the 2002 Act, the new section 29(1) makes a distinction between the power to demand and recover charges for services which are part of Scottish Water’s core functions as defined in section 70(2) of the 2002 Act (new subsection 29(1)(a)), and goods or services provided in pursuit of Scottish Water’s other functions (new subsection 29(1)(b)).
101.The new section 29(2) of the 2002 Act provides that Scottish Water is to demand and recover charges for services it provides as part of its core functions either according to a charges scheme made under the new section 29A of the 2002 Act or under an approved departure from a charges scheme under the new section 29E of the 2002 Act.
102.The new section 29(3) of the 2002 Act provides that fixing, demanding and recovering charges for non-core functions is exercisable by or in accordance with an agreement with the person to be charged.
103.The new section 29(4) of the 2002 Act makes exemptions from the general charging powers in sections 29(1) to (3) in respect of water supplied under the circumstances set out in:
section 9A of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980, which ensures that no charge can be made for supplies of water for certain fire-fighting purposes; and
section 47 of that Act, which continues any arrangements in force before 16th May 1949 under which no charge was made for supplies of water.
