After Article 39C insert—
39D.—(1) The following powers are exercisable by the Department for the purposes of any valuation list in force on or after the coming into operation of Part II of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.
(2) The Department may by order determine what property occupied by an authorised person is to be treated as a hereditament for the purposes of this Order, and an order under this paragraph may—
(a)determine that two or more separate properties occupied by an authorised person are to be treated for those purposes as a single hereditament; and
(b)make provision with respect to the apportionment of the amount of the net annual value of that single hereditament among the districts of district councils.
(3) The Department may by order determine the net annual value of the hereditaments occupied by an authorised person or make provision for the manner in which the net annual value of such hereditaments is to be, or may be, determined, and an order under this paragraph may—
(a)make provision with respect to the apportionment of the aggregate amount of the net annual value determined under the order among the districts of district councils;
(b)provide for determining the net annual value of any hereditament by the application of different methods of valuation to different parts of the hereditament.
(4) An order under paragraph (2) or (3)—
(a)may modify or repeal any provision of this Order;
(b)may contain such incidental, supplementary or consequential provisions as the Department considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of the order;
(c)shall be made only after consultation with such authorised persons, associations of district councils and district councils as the Department considers appropriate; and
(d)shall be subject to affirmative resolution.
(5) In this Article “authorised person” means the holder of a licence or an exemption under Part II of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.”.