Admission to the scheme8.
(1)
Where the Scottish Ministers admit an operator to the scheme they must issue a notice of admission to the operator requiring them to provide travel concessions in accordance with the scheme.
(2)
The admission date for the scheme is the date specified in the notice of admission.
(3)
If the Scottish Ministers refuse to admit an operator to the scheme the operator concerned may appeal against that decision within the period of 56 days beginning with the day on which the operator was notified of the decision.
(4)
Where an operator makes an appeal under paragraph (3), the appeal is to be determined by an assessment panel comprising 3 members appointed by agreement between the operator and the Scottish Ministers.
(5)
The assessment panel must either—
(a)
determine that the operator is admitted to the scheme, or
(b)
determine that the operator is refused admission to the scheme.
(6)
The assessment panel must send a copy of their determination to the operator and to the Scottish Ministers.