(1)A special drainage charge shall be levied by a river board on the occupiers of chargeable hereditaments in the area of the river board or, if part only of that area is designated for the purposes of the charge in the scheme authorising it, in that part.
(2)The special drainage charge shall be at a uniform amount per pound on the annual value of each chargeable hereditament concerned and that amount shall not exceed—
(a)an amount to be specified in the scheme as the maximum amount of the charge or such greater amount as may be authorised by an order made by the Minister on the application of the river board ; nor
(b)one shilling or such other amount as may be substituted for one shilling by an order made by the Minister by statutory instrument and approved by a resolution of the Commons House of Parliament, less, in either case, the amount (if any) per pound at which a general drainage charge is raised for the same year by the river board.
(3)Before making an order under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section the Minister shall consult with such of the associations and persons concerned as he considers appropriate and shall cause a notice of his intention to make the order and of the time (which shall not be less than thirty days) within which objections to the proposed order may be made to him, to be published in such manner as he thinks best adapted for informing persons affected, shall, if he considers it necessary, afford such persons an opportunity of appearing before and being heard by a person appointed by him for the purpose, and shall consider the report of the person so appointed and any objections duly made.
(4)Any order under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section may be varied or revoked by a subsequent order made thereunder.