Land Drainage Act 1976

10 Schemes for transfer to water authority of functions in relation to main river

(1) A water authority may at any time, and if so directed by the Minister shall, prepare and submit to the Minister for confirmation a scheme making provision—

(a) for the transfer to the water authority from any drainage body of all rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities (including liabilities incurred in connection with works) over or in connection with the main river, and of any property held by the drainage body for the purpose of, or in connection with, any functions so transferred; and

(b) for any matter supplemental to or consequential on the said transfer.

(2) As soon as any scheme under this section has been submitted to the Minister, the water authority shall—

(a) send copies of the scheme to every drainage authority, local authority, navigation authority, harbour authority and conservancy authority affected by it; and

(b) publish in one or more newspapers circulating in the area affected by the scheme a notice stating that the scheme has been submitted to the Minister and that a copy of it is open to inspection at a specified place, and that representations with respect to the scheme may be made to the Minister at any time within one month after the publication of the notice.

(3) The Minister may by order confirm any scheme so submitted, either with or without modifications.

(4) Where, under a scheme made by a water authority under this section, liabilities incurred in connection with drainage works are transferred to the water authority from a local authority, the water authority may require the local authority to make to them contributions towards the discharge of the liabilities; and if the amount of those contributions is not agreed between the water authority and the local authority it shall be determined by a single arbitrator agreed on by them or, in default of such agreement, appointed by the Minister and the Secretary of State acting jointly.