The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional and Savings Provisions) Order 2009

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings all the provisions of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 into force on 26th November 2009, except section 42 (amendment to planning regulations) and Parts 4 (local authority powers to manage flood risk), 6 (powers of entry and compensation) insofar as it relates to Part 4, and 7 (reservoirs). The Act received Royal Assent on 16th June 2009 and Part 2 (sections 3 to 6) and sections 55, 71, 94, 95 and 97 came into force on that day.

Article 2 and the Schedule bring into force Part 1 (general duties), most of Part 3 (flood risk management planning) and Part 5 (SEPA functions in relation to flood risk assessment and flood warning system) of the Act. Part 6 (powers of entry and compensation) is brought into force insofar as it relates to the functions of SEPA and local authorities under Parts 3 and 5. Part 8 (general provisions) is commenced but section 96 is commenced only for the purposes of giving effect to the repeals and amendments in schedule 3 which are consequential on Parts 1, 3 and 5 of the Act.

Articles 3 to 5 make transitional provision in relation to flood warning systems. Article 3 provides that SEPA does not need to consult in order to continue providing existing flood warning systems.

Article 4 provides that where SEPA has already carried out a consultation under the Agriculture Act 1970 in relation to providing a new flood warning system, it does not have to carry out a further consultation under the Act before providing that system.

Article 5 provides that arrangements in relation to the provision of flood warning systems which were made under the 1970 Act between SEPA and third parties will remain in place. SEPA can make new arrangements in relation to providing flood warning systems under section 76 of the Act and its general powers under Part I of the Environment Act 1995 (c.25) (and in particular section 37 of that Act).