Land Drainage Act 1991

Part I Internal Drainage Boards

Constitution etc. of boards

1 Internal drainage districts and boards

(1) For the purposes of the drainage of land, there shall continue to be—

(a) districts, known as internal drainage districts, which shall be such areas within the areas of the regional flood defence committees as will derive benefit, or avoid danger, as a result of drainage operations; and

(b) boards, known as internal drainage boards, each of which shall be the drainage board for an internal drainage district;

and, subject to the following provisions of this Part, the internal drainage districts which were such districts immediately before the coming into force of this section, and the boards for those districts, shall continue as such districts and boards.

(2) An internal drainage board shall—

(a) exercise a general supervision over all matters relating to the drainage of land within their district; and

(b) have such other powers and perform such other duties as are conferred or imposed on internal drainage boards by this Act.

(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (6) below, an internal drainage board shall be a body corporate and shall consist of—

(a) members who shall be elected and hold office in accordance with provisions made by or under Schedule 1 to this Act; and

(b) members appointed in accordance with those provisions by charging authorities.

(4) The first members of an internal drainage board shall be persons appointed by the relevant Minister, together with any persons appointed as mentioned in subsection (3)(b) above.

(5) Subject to subsection (6) below, Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the proceedings of internal drainage boards.

(6) The following provisions, that is to say, the provisions of Schedule 1 to this Act, except so far as it relates to the appointment of members by a charging authority, the provisions of Schedule 2 to this Act and the provisions of subsection (3) above, so far as it requires members of an internal drainage board to be elected, shall have effect in relation to an internal drainage board in existence on 1st August 1930 only to such an extent as—

(a) those provisions are applied to the board by a scheme made or having effect as if made under section 3 below; or

(b) immediately before the coming into force of this Act, corresponding provision otherwise applied in relation to that board by virtue of section 7(4) of the [1976 c. 70.] Land Drainage Act 1976.

2 Review of boundaries of internal drainage districts

(1) Subject to subsection (7) below, where—

(a) a petition for the alteration of the boundaries of an internal drainage district is made to the NRA by a sufficient number of qualified persons or by a qualified authority; and

(b) the boundaries of that district have for a period exceeding ten years been neither reviewed on such a petition nor altered,

the NRA shall review those boundaries.

(2) Subject to subsection (7) below, where a petition under subsection (1) above is received by the NRA in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above, the NRA shall—

(a) inform the relevant Minister; and

(b) publish, in one or more newspapers circulating in the internal drainage district, a notice stating—

(i) that the petition has been received;

(ii) that a review of the boundaries is being undertaken; and

(iii) that representations may be made to the NRA within a period (which shall not be less than thirty days) stated in the notice.

(3) In carrying out any review required by this section the NRA shall—

(a) consult the drainage board for the internal drainage district in question, unless it is itself the drainage board; and

(b) consider any representations duly made to it.

(4) Within six months after a petition under this section is made or such longer period as the relevant Minister may allow, the NRA shall inform the relevant Minister—

(a) whether, as a result of the review, it proposes to submit to him a scheme under section 3 below; and

(b) if so, what provision it proposes to make by the scheme.

(5) Subject to subsection (6) below, where—

(a) the NRA does not propose, as a result of the review, to submit to the relevant Minister a scheme under section 3 below; but

(b) it appears to the NRA that an order under section 38 below, or an order varying or revoking such an order, should be made by the drainage board for the internal drainage district in question,

the NRA may direct the drainage board to make such an order in such terms as may be specified in the direction.

(6) If an internal drainage board to which a direction has been given under subsection (5) above object to the direction, the direction shall have no effect unless it is confirmed (with or without modifications) by the relevant Minister.

(7) This section does not require the NRA to carry out a review or publish any notice on a petition which, in the opinion of the relevant Minister, is frivolous.

3 Schemes for reorganisation of internal drainage districts etc

(1) The NRA—

(a) may at any time (in consequence of a review under section 2 above or otherwise) prepare and submit to the relevant Minister for confirmation a scheme making provision for any of the matters specified in subsection (2) below; and

(b) shall prepare and so submit such a scheme if it is directed to do so by the relevant Minister.

(2) The matters mentioned in subsection (1) above are—

(a) the alteration of the boundaries of any internal drainage district;

(b) the amalgamation of the whole or any part of any internal drainage district with any other such district;

(c) the abolition as from such date as may be specified in the scheme of Commissioners of Sewers exercising jurisdiction within the area for which the NRA carries out functions that are flood defence functions within the meaning of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991;

(d) the abolition or reconstitution of any internal drainage district and of the drainage board for that district;

(e) the constitution of new internal drainage districts;

(f) the constitution of internal drainage boards for all or any of the separate internal drainage districts constituted by the scheme;

(g) where it appears desirable so to provide in the case of any internal drainage board, the amendment of the method of constituting that board so far as is necessary to secure that members of the board shall include persons elected as such in accordance with the provisions for that purpose contained in section 1 above and Schedule 1 to this Act;

(h) the making of alterations in, and the addition of supplemental provisions to, the provisions of any local Act or of any award made under any such Act, where such alterations or supplemental provisions are necessary or expedient for enabling the area for the benefit of which drainage works are authorised by the local Act or award to be drained effectually;

(i) any matters supplemental to or consequential on the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (h) above for which it appears necessary or desirable to make provision, including the transfer to the NRA or an internal drainage board of any property, rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities vested in or to be discharged by the NRA or by the internal drainage board affected by the scheme.

(3) A scheme under this section may provide for the revocation or amendment of, and for the retransfer of property, rights, powers, duties, obligations and liabilities transferred by, any previous scheme under this section.

(4) As soon as any scheme under this section has been submitted to the relevant Minister, the NRA shall—

(a) send copies of the scheme to every internal drainage board, 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—

(i) that the scheme has been submitted to that Minister; and

(ii) that a copy of it is open to inspection at a specified place; and

(iii) that representations with respect to the scheme may be made to that Minister at any time within one month after the publication of the notice.

(5) The relevant Minister may by order made by statutory instrument confirm any scheme submitted to him under this section, either with or without modifications.

(6) Schedule 3 to this Act shall apply with respect to an order confirming a scheme under this section.

(7) An order confirming a scheme under this section may contain provisions with respect to the persons by whom all or any of the expenses incurred by the relevant Minister or other persons in connection with the making or confirmation of the order, or the making of the scheme, are to be borne.

(8) Where the boundaries of an internal drainage district are altered under this section, all powers exercisable under any local Act by the drainage board for the district with respect to land included in it shall be exercisable with respect to land added to the district, except so far as provision is otherwise made by the scheme effecting the alteration or by the order confirming that scheme.

4 Powers to make the NRA a drainage board

(1) The relevant Minister may, on a petition for the purpose presented to him by the NRA, by order made by statutory instrument transfer to the NRA the powers, duties, liabilities, obligations and property (including deeds, maps, books, papers and other documents) of the drainage board for any internal drainage district.

(2) On a transfer under this section, the NRA shall for the purposes of this Act become the drainage board for the district in question; and any expenses incurred by the NRA as the drainage board for that district shall be defrayed under and in accordance with the powers transferred by the order under this section and not in any other manner.

(3) Without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this section, a scheme under section 3 above which makes provision for the constitution of a new internal drainage district may provide—

(a) for the NRA to be constituted the drainage board for that district; and

(b) for conferring on the NRA in relation to that district the powers and duties of an internal drainage board;

and any expenses incurred by the NRA as the internal drainage board for such a district shall be defrayed under and in accordance with the powers so conferred and not in any other manner.

(4) Schedule 3 to this Act shall apply with respect to an order under this section.

(5) An order under this section may contain provisions with respect to the persons by whom all or any of the expenses incurred by the relevant Minister or other persons in connection with the making or confirmation of the order are to be borne.

5 Transfer of functions etc. back from the NRA

(1) Where—

(a) the NRA is (whether by virtue of a scheme under section 3 above or an order under section 4 above) the drainage board for an internal drainage district; and

(b) a petition for constituting an internal drainage board for that district is made to the NRA by a sufficient number of qualified persons or by a qualified authority,

the relevant Minister may by order made by statutory instrument constitute an internal drainage board for that district and transfer to it the property and liabilities of the NRA, so far as vested in or incurred by the NRA in its capacity as the drainage board for that district.

(2) On receiving such a petition as is mentioned in subsection (1) above the NRA shall send a copy of it to the relevant Minister.

(3) The NRA shall inform the relevant Minister, within six months of the date on which such a petition is received, whether in its opinion an order under subsection (1) above ought to be made.

(4) Before making an order under subsection (1) above the relevant Minister shall consider the views expressed by the NRA in accordance with subsection (3) above.

(5) Schedule 3 to this Act shall apply with respect to an order under this section.

(6) An order under this section may contain provisions with respect to the persons by whom all or any of the expenses incurred by the relevant Minister or other persons in connection with the making or confirmation of the order are to be borne.

6 Schemes and orders under sections 3 to 5: compensation for loss of office

(1) The appropriate Minister shall by regulations provide for the payment, subject to such exceptions or conditions as may be specified in the regulations, of compensation—

(a) if it is specified for the purpose in the regulations, by the NRA; or

(b) by such internal drainage board or boards as may be so specified,

to any officer or other employee of a drainage body who suffers loss of employment or loss or diminution of emoluments which is attributable to a scheme under section 3 above or anything done in pursuance of such a scheme.

(2) The appropriate Minister shall by regulations provide for the payment, subject to such exceptions or conditions as may be specified in the regulations, of compensation by the NRA—

(a) to any officer or other employee of an internal drainage board who suffers loss of employment or loss or diminution of emoluments which is attributable to an order under section 4 above or anything done in pursuance of such an order;

(b) to any officer or other employee of the NRA who suffers loss of employment or loss or diminution of emoluments which is attributable to an order under section 5 above or anything done in pursuance of such an order.

(3) Regulations under this section may include provision—

(a) as to the manner in which and the persons to whom any claim for compensation by virtue of the regulations is to be made; and

(b) for the determination of all questions arising under the regulations;

and may make different provision for different classes of person.

(4) In this section “the appropriate Minister”—

(a) in relation to employees of a drainage body wholly in Wales, means the Secretary of State;

(b) in relation to employees of a drainage body partly in Wales, means the Ministers; and

(c) in any other case, means the Minister;

but in relation to employees of the NRA, the powers and duties conferred or imposed on the appropriate Minister by this section shall be exercisable or, as the case may be, shall fall to be performed by either of the Ministers.

General provision with respect to functions of drainage boards

7 Supervision of drainage boards by the NRA

(1) The NRA may, for the purpose of securing—

(a) the efficient working and maintenance of existing drainage works; and

(b) the construction of such new drainage works as may be necessary,

give such general or special directions as it considers reasonable for the guidance of the internal drainage boards with respect to the exercise and performance by those boards of their powers and duties as such.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, an internal drainage board shall not—

(a) except with the consent of the NRA, construct any drainage works or alter any existing drainage works, if the construction or alteration will in any way affect the interests of, or the working of any drainage works belonging to, any other drainage board; or

(b) otherwise than by way of maintaining an existing work, construct or alter any structure, appliance or channel for the discharge of water from their district into a main river except on such terms as may be agreed between the NRA and the internal drainage board or, in default of agreement, be determined by the relevant Minister.

(3) The consent of the NRA for the purposes of subsection (2)(a) above shall not be unreasonably withheld and may be given subject to reasonable conditions.

(4) If an internal drainage board acts in contravention of subsection (2) above, the NRA shall—

(a) have power itself to carry out and maintain any works and do any things which are, in its opinion, necessary in order to prevent or remedy any damage which may result, or has resulted, from the action of the internal drainage board; and

(b) be entitled to recover from that board the amount of any expenses reasonably incurred by the NRA in the exercise of that power.

(5) If any question arises under this section—

(a) whether the consent of the NRA is unreasonably withheld;

(b) whether any condition subject to which any consent of the NRA is given is reasonable; or

(c) whether any expenses have been reasonably incurred by the NRA in pursuance of this section;

that question shall be referred to the relevant Minister for decision.

(6) Where the relevant Minister gives any decision under this section, he shall make and cause to be laid before Parliament a report giving particulars of the question referred to him and of the reasons for his decision.

8 Concurrent powers of NRA

The powers of an internal drainage board in relation to their district under sections 21 and 23 below shall be exercisable concurrently with that board by the NRA and references in those sections and in section 24 below to the drainage board concerned shall be construed accordingly.

9 Default powers of the NRA

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below but without prejudice to section 8 above, where in the opinion of the NRA any land is injured or likely to be injured by flooding or inadequate drainage that might be remedied wholly or partially by the exercise of drainage powers vested in any internal drainage board which either—

(a) are not being exercised at all; or

(b) in the opinion of the NRA, are not being exercised to the necessary extent,

the NRA may exercise all or any of those powers and also any power vested in that board for the purpose of defraying expenses incurred in the exercise by that board of those powers or for any purposes incidental to the exercise of those powers.

(2) Before exercising any powers under subsection (1) above the NRA shall give to the internal drainage board in whose default it proposes to exercise the powers not less than thirty days' notice of its intention to do so.

(3) If, before the end of the period of notice specified under subsection (2) above, the internal drainage board in question intimate in writing to the NRA their objection to the exercise by the NRA of the powers, the NRA shall not exercise the powers except with the consent of the relevant Minister.

(4) The relevant Minister may, if he thinks fit, cause a public local inquiry to be held with respect to an objection for the purposes of subsection (3) above.

(5) Where in pursuance of this section the NRA is exercising the powers of the drainage board for an internal drainage district, any person authorised in that behalf by the NRA may, so far as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of, and in connection with, the exercise by the NRA of those powers, at all reasonable times inspect and take copies of any deeds, maps, books, papers or other documents which—

(a) are in the possession of the board; and

(b) relate to land drainage or the provision of flood warning systems in that district.

(6) Any person who intentionally obstructs or impedes any person authorised as mentioned in subsection (5) above in the exercise of his powers under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

10 Exercise of default powers by local authorities

(1) The NRA may, on the application of the council of any county, metropolitan district or London borough, direct that the powers conferred by section 9 above on the NRA shall, as respects land in the area of the council, be exercisable by that council instead of by the NRA.

(2) If the NRA refuses to comply with any application under subsection (1) above, the council by which the application was made may appeal against the refusal to the relevant Minister and he may, if he thinks fit, require the NRA to comply with the application.

(3) Without prejudice to the power of the NRA to give a new direction, the NRA may—

(a) subject to the consent of the relevant Minister; and

(b) on giving the council concerned not less than six months' notice of its intention to do so,

revoke any direction given under subsection (1) above.

11 Arrangements between drainage authorities

(1) The NRA may enter into an agreement with any internal drainage board for the carrying out by the board, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be specified in the agreement, of any work in connection with a main river which the NRA is authorised to carry out.

(2) Notwithstanding any restriction by reference to a main river of the powers conferred on the NRA by section 165 of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991, the NRA may—

(a) with the consent of an internal drainage board, carry out and maintain in that board’s district any works which the board might carry out or maintain, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be agreed between the board and the NRA; or

(b) agree to contribute to the expense of the carrying out or maintenance of any works by any internal drainage board.

(3) An internal drainage board may—

(a) with the consent of an internal drainage board for any other district, carry out and maintain in that other district any works which the first-mentioned board might carry out or maintain within their own district, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be agreed between the boards; or

(b) agree to contribute to the expense of the carrying out or maintenance of any works by the internal drainage board for any other district.

(4) Any expense incurred by an internal drainage board under subsection (3) above shall be defrayed as if the expense had been incurred in their own district.

Duties with respect to the environment and recreation

12 General environmental and recreational duties

(1) It shall be the duty of each of the Ministers, of the NRA and of every internal drainage board, in formulating or considering any proposals relating to any functions of such a board (including, in the case of such a board, their own functions)—

(a) so far as may be consistent—

(i) with the purposes of any enactment relating to the functions of such a board; and

(ii) in the case of the Secretary of State, with his duties under section 2 of the [1991 c. 56.] Water Industry Act 1991,

so to exercise any power conferred with respect to the proposals on that Minister, the NRA or, as the case may be, the board as to further the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and the conservation of flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest;

(b) to have regard to the desirability of protecting and conserving buildings, sites and objects of archaeological, architectural or historic interest; and

(c) to take into account any effect which the proposals would have on the beauty or amenity of any rural or urban area or on any such flora, fauna, features, buildings, sites or objects.

(2) Subject to subsection (1) above, it shall be the duty of each of the Ministers, of the NRA and of every internal drainage board, in formulating or considering any proposals relating to any functions of such a board (including, in the case of such a board, their own functions)—

(a) to have regard to the desirability of preserving for the public any freedom of access to areas of woodland, mountains, moor, heath, down, cliff or foreshore and other places of natural beauty;

(b) to have regard to the desirability of maintaining the availability to the public of any facility for visiting or inspecting any building, site or object of archaeological, architectural or historic interest; and

(c) to take into account any effect which the proposals would have on any such freedom of access or on the availability of any such facility.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) above shall apply so as to impose duties on an internal drainage board in relation to—

(a) any proposals relating to the functions of the NRA or of a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker;

(b) any proposals relating to the management, by the company holding an appointment as such an undertaker, of any land for the time being held by that company for any purpose whatever (whether or not connected with the carrying out of the functions of a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker); and

(c) any proposal which by virtue of section 156(7) of the [1991 c. 56.] Water Industry Act 1991 (disposals of protected land) falls to be treated for the purposes of section 3 of that Act as a proposal relating to the functions of a water undertaker or sewerage undertaker,

as they apply in relation to proposals relating to the functions of an internal drainage board but as if, for that purpose, the reference in subsection (1)(a) above to enactments relating to the functions of such a board were a reference to enactments relating to that to which the proposal relates.

(4) Subject to obtaining the consent of any navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority before doing anything which causes navigation which is subject to the control of that authority to be obstructed or otherwise interfered with, it shall be the duty of every internal drainage board to take such steps as are—

(a) reasonably practicable; and

(b) consistent with the purposes of the enactments relating to the functions of that board,

for securing, so long as that board have rights to the use of water or land associated with water, that those rights are exercised so as to ensure that the water or land is made available for recreational purposes and is so made available in the best manner.

(5) It shall be the duty of every internal drainage board, in determining what steps to take in performance of any duty imposed by virtue of subsection (4) above, to take into account the needs of persons who are chronically sick or disabled.

(6) Nothing in this section or the following provisions of this Act shall require recreational facilities made available by an internal drainage board to be made available free of charge.

(7) In this section—

• “building” includes structure; and

• “harbour authority” means a harbour authority within the meaning of the [1971 c. 60.] Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971.

13 Environmental duties with respect to sites of special interest

(1) Where the Nature Conservancy Council for England or the Countryside Council for Wales are of the opinion that any area of land in England or, as the case may be, in Wales—

(a) is of special interest by reason of its flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features; and

(b) may at any time be affected by schemes, works, operations or activities of an internal drainage board,

that Council shall notify the fact that the land is of special interest for that reason to every internal drainage board whose works, operations or activities may affect the land.

(2) Where a National Park authority or the Broads Authority is of the opinion that any area of land in a National Park or in the Broads—

(a) is land in relation to which the matters for the purposes of which section 12 above has effect are of particular importance; and

(b) may at any time be affected by schemes, works, operations or activities of an internal drainage board,

the National Park authority or Broads Authority shall notify the fact that the land is such land, and the reasons why those matters are of particular importance in relation to the land, to every internal drainage board whose works, operations or activities may affect the land.

(3) Where an internal drainage board have received a notification under subsection (1) or (2) above with respect to any land, the board shall consult the notifying body before carrying out any works, operations or activities which appear to the board to be likely—

(a) to destroy or damage any of the flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features by reason of which the land is of special interest; or

(b) significantly to prejudice anything the importance of which is one of the reasons why the matters mentioned in subsection (2) above are of particular importance in relation to that land.

(4) Subsection (3) above shall not apply in relation to anything done in an emergency where particulars of what is done and of the emergency are notified to the Nature Conservancy Council for England, the Countryside Council for Wales, the National Park authority in question or, as the case may be, the Broads Authority as soon as practicable after that thing is done.

(5) In this section—

• “the Broads” has the same meaning as in the [1988 c. 4.] Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988; and

• “National Park authority” means a National Park Committee or a joint or special planning board for a National Park.

Part II Provisions for Facilitating or Securing the Drainage of Land

General powers

14 General drainage powers of boards and local authorities

(1) Subject to section 11 above and subsection (4) and section 17 below—

(a) every drainage board acting within the internal drainage district for which they are the drainage board; and

(b) every local authority acting either—

(i) for the purpose of carrying out works in pursuance of a scheme under section 18 below; or

(ii) so far as may be necessary for the purpose of preventing flooding or mitigating any damage caused by flooding in their area,

shall have the powers specified in subsection (2) below.

(2) The powers mentioned in subsection (1) above are the powers, otherwise than in connection with a main river or the banks of such a river—

(a) to maintain existing works, that is to say, to cleanse, repair or otherwise maintain in a due state of efficiency any existing watercourse or drainage work;

(b) to improve any existing works, that is to say, to deepen, widen, straighten or otherwise improve any existing watercourse or remove or alter mill dams, weirs or other obstructions to watercourses, or raise, widen or otherwise improve any existing drainage work;

(c) to construct new works, that is to say, to make any new watercourse or drainage work or erect any machinery or do any other act (other than an act referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) above) required for the drainage of any land.

(3) Subject to section 11 above and subsection (4) and section 17 below, an internal drainage board or local authority that desire, otherwise than in connection with a main river or the banks of such a river, to carry out any drainage works for the benefit of their district or area in lands outside that district or area shall have the same powers for that purpose as are conferred by this Act on persons interested in land which is capable of being drained or improved and desiring to carry out drainage works for that purpose.

(4) Nothing in this section—

(a) authorises any person to enter on the land of any person except for the purpose of maintaining existing works; or

(b) authorises a county council to exercise any power except in accordance with section 16 below.

(5) Where injury is sustained by any person by reason of the exercise by a drainage board or local authority of any of their powers under this section, the board or authority shall be liable to make full compensation to the injured person.

(6) In case of dispute, the amount of the compensation payable under subsection (5) above shall be determined by the Lands Tribunal.

(7) Any expenses incurred by an internal drainage board under subsection (3) above shall be defrayed as if the expenses had been incurred in their district.

15 Disposal of spoil by boards and local authorities

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) and sections 16 and 17 below, an internal drainage board or local authority may—

(a) without making payment for it, appropriate and dispose of any matter removed in the course of the carrying out of any work for widening, deepening or dredging any ordinary watercourse; and

(b) deposit any matter so removed on the banks of such a watercourse, or on such width of land adjoining such a watercourse as is sufficient to enable the matter to be removed and deposited by mechanical means in one operation.

(2) The powers conferred on a local authority by this section shall not be exercisable except—

(a) for the purpose of carrying out works in pursuance of a scheme under section 18 below; or

(b) so far as may be necessary for the purpose of preventing flooding or mitigating any damage caused by flooding in their area.

(3) Subsection (1) above shall not authorise the deposit of any matter if the matter deposited would constitute a statutory nuisance within the meaning of Part III of the [1990 c. 43.] Environmental Protection Act 1990.

(4) Where injury is sustained by any person by reason of the exercise by an internal drainage board or local authority of their powers under subsection (1)(b) above—

(a) the board or authority may, if they think fit, pay to him such compensation as they may determine; and

(b) where the injury could have been avoided if those powers had been exercised with reasonable care, subsections (5) and (6) of section 14 above shall apply as if the injury had been sustained by reason of the exercise by the board or authority of their powers under that section.

(5) An internal drainage board or local authority, on the one hand, and the council of any district or London borough, on the other, may enter into an agreement providing—

(a) for the disposal by the council of any matter removed as mentioned in subsection (1) above; and

(b) for the payment by the board or authority to the council, in respect of the disposal of the matter by the council, of such sum as may be provided by the agreement.

16 Exercise of local authority powers under sections 14 and 15

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, where the powers conferred by section 14 or 15 above on a non-metropolitan district council are not exercised by that council, they may be exercised by the county council—

(a) at the request of the council of the district; or

(b) after not less than six weeks' notice given in writing by the county council to the district council.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, where the powers conferred by section 14(1) above on a metropolitan district council or London borough council or the Common Council of the City of London are not exercised by that council, they may be exercised by the NRA—

(a) at the request of the council; or

(b) after not less than six weeks' notice given in writing by the NRA to the council;

and any expenses incurred by the NRA under subsection (3) above shall be recoverable from the council concerned by the NRA summarily as a civil debt.

(3) Where the council to whom a notice has been given for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) or (2)(b) above—

(a) appeal against the notice to the Secretary of State before it expires; and

(b) inform the county council or, as the case may be, the NRA of the appeal,

the powers to which the notice relates shall not be exercised in pursuance of the notice by the county council or, as the case may be, the NRA unless it is confirmed by the Secretary of State.

17 Supervision of local authority powers under sections 14 to 16

(1) A local authority shall not carry out or maintain any drainage works authorised by sections 14 to 16 above in connection with any watercourse except with the consent of, and in accordance with any reasonable conditions imposed by, the NRA.

(2) Before giving any consent or imposing any condition under subsection (1) above with respect to any drainage works in connection with a watercourse under the control of an internal drainage board the NRA shall consult with the internal drainage board.

(3) A consent required under subsection (1) above—

(a) shall not be unreasonably withheld; and

(b) shall be deemed to have been given if it is neither given nor refused within two months after application for it is made.

(4) Any question arising under this section whether the consent of the NRA is unreasonably withheld, or whether any condition imposed by the NRA is reasonable, shall be referred to and determined by the Ministers.

(5) Subsection (1) above shall not apply to any work carried out in an emergency, but a local authority carrying out any work excepted by this subsection shall, as soon as practicable, inform the NRA in writing of the carrying out of the work and of the circumstances in which it was carried out.

18 Drainage of small areas

(1) Where—

(a) the NRA is of the opinion that any land is capable of improvement by drainage works but that the constitution for that purpose of an internal drainage district would not be practicable; or

(b) a local authority other than a district council is of that opinion in relation to any land in their area,

the NRA or, as the case may be, that local authority may, in accordance with the provisions of a scheme made by it or them under this section, enter on the land and carry out such drainage works as appear to it or them desirable.

(2) Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the making of a scheme under this section.

(3) A scheme under this section must state—

(a) the works proposed to be carried out;

(b) the area to be improved by the works;

(c) the estimated expenses (including administrative expenses) of the carrying out of the works;

(d) the maximum amount to be recoverable by the NRA or local authority in respect of those expenses; and

(e) the manner in which the expenses of carrying out and maintaining the works are to be apportioned amongst the lands comprised in the area to be improved.

(4) Subject to subsection (6) and (7) below, the amount stated in a scheme in pursuance of subsection (3)(c) above shall not exceed an amount equal to £50 for each hectare in the area to be improved.

(5) The following expenses, that is to say-

(a) those incurred by the NRA or a local authority under this section in the carrying out of drainage works, to an amount not exceeding the amount stated in the scheme in pursuance of subsection (3)(d) above; and

(b) those incurred by the NRA or a local authority in maintaining works carried out by the NRA or, as the case may be, that authority under this section,

shall, according to the apportionment provided for by the scheme, be recoverable by the NRA or that authority from the several owners of the lands to which the scheme relates.

(6) Each of the Ministers shall have power to exempt a scheme from the limit imposed by subsection (4) above if it appears to him that the works proposed to be carried out are urgently required in the public interest.

(7) Each of the Ministers shall have power by order made by statutory instrument from time to time to vary the limit imposed by subsection (4) above; but no such order shall have effect unless it is approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(8) A scheme made under this section shall be a local land charge.

19 Arrangements as to works etc. with navigation and conservancy authorities

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, an internal drainage board, with a view to improving the drainage of any land situated in their district, may enter into an arrangement with a navigation authority or conservancy authority for any of the following purposes, that is to say—

(a) the transfer to the board of—

(i) the whole or any part of the undertaking of the navigation authority or conservancy authority or of any of the rights, powers, duties, liabilities and obligations of that authority; or

(ii) any property vested in that authority as such;

(b) the alteration or improvement by the board of any of the works of the navigation authority or conservancy authority;

(c) the making of payments by the board to the navigation authority or conservancy authority or by that authority to the board in respect of any matter for which provision is made by the arrangement.

(2) An internal drainage board shall not enter into any arrangement under this section in relation to a main river or the banks of a main river or in relation to any drainage works in connection with a main river.

(3) The exercise by an internal drainage board of their power to enter into an arrangement under this section shall require the approval of the relevant Minister and the Secretary of State.

(4) Where an internal drainage board are intending to enter into an arrangement under this section, they shall publish a notice of their intention in such manner as may be directed by the relevant Minister.

(5) Where an arrangement has been made under this section, an internal drainage board shall cause a notice under subsection (6) below to be published in the London Gazette in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the relevant Minister.

(6) A notice under this subsection is a notice—

(a) stating that the arrangement has been made; and

(b) specifying the place at which a copy of the arrangement may be inspected by persons interested.

20 Arrangements with other persons for carrying out drainage works

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, an internal drainage board may, by agreement with any person and at that person’s expense, carry out and maintain, whether within or outside their district, any drainage works which that person is entitled to carry out and maintain.

(2) Any local authority other than the council of a non metropolitan district may, by agreement with any person and at that person’s expense, carry out within the local authority’s area any drainage works which that person is entitled to carry out.

(3) The powers conferred on an internal drainage board by subsection (1) above shall not be exercisable in connection with a main river, the banks of such a river or any drainage works in connection with a main river.

(4) The obligation of any person under this section to meet the expenses of any works shall be subject to section 59(6) below.

21 Enforcement of obligations to repair watercourses, bridges, etc

(1) This section applies to any obligation to which any person was subject, before the commencement of this Act, by reason of tenure, custom, prescription or otherwise, except an obligation under an enactment re-enacted in this Act or the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991.

(2) If any person—

(a) is liable, by reason of any obligation to which this section applies, to do any work in relation to any watercourse, bridge or drainage work (whether by way of repair, maintenance or otherwise); and

(b) fails to do the work,

the drainage board concerned may serve a notice on that person requiring him to do the necessary work with all reasonable and proper despatch.

(3) Subject to section 107(2) of the Water Resources Act 1991, the powers conferred by this section shall not be exercisable in connection with a main river, the banks of such a river or any drainage works in connection with such a river.

(4) If any person fails, within seven days, to comply with a notice served on him under subsection (2) above by the drainage board concerned, the board may do all such things as are necessary for that purpose.

(5) Any expenses reasonably incurred, in the exercise of their powers under this section, by the drainage board concerned may be recovered from the person liable to repair.

(6) Subject to section 8 above, references in this section to the drainage board concerned—

(a) in relation to any watercourse, bridge or drainage works in an internal drainage district, are references to the drainage board for that district; and

(b) in relation to any other watercourse, bridge or drainage works, are references to the NRA.

22 Powers of Ministers to authorise landowners to carry out drainage works

(1) Where—

(a) any persons interested in any land are of the opinion that it is capable of improvement by drainage works; but

(b) the works cannot be carried out by reason of the objection or disability of any person whose land would be entered upon, cut through or interfered with by or for the purposes of the works,

those persons may present an application to the appropriate Minister for an order under this section authorising them to carry out such drainage works as are expedient with a view to the improvement of the land.

(2) An application for an order under this section—

(a) shall be in the prescribed form; and

(b) shall contain particulars of the proposed works and the persons by whom they are to be carried out and such further particulars as the appropriate Minister may prescribe or require;

and the applicants shall give such security for expenses as may be required by the appropriate Minister.

(3) Notice of any application for an order under this section, of the place where it can be inspected and of the period within which objections to the proposed works may be made to the appropriate Minister shall be given in the prescribed manner—

(a) to all persons not parties to the application whose lands are proposed to be entered upon, cut through or interfered with;

(b) to the NRA; and

(c) to any internal drainage board for any district within which all or any of the proposed works are to be carried out.

(4) If, where an application for an order under this section has been made—

(a) an objection to the proposed works has been made to the appropriate Minister, within the prescribed period, by any person interested or in any way affected by the proposed works; and

(b) that objection is not withdrawn,

the appropriate Minister shall forthwith cause a public inquiry to be held in the locality in which the proposed works are to be carried out.

(5) On an application for an order under this section, the appropriate Minister—

(a) where either no objection has been made as mentioned in subsection (4) above or every such objection has been withdrawn; or

(b) in any other case, after receiving the report of the inquiry under subsection (4) above,

shall, in his discretion, either refuse to authorise the carrying out of the proposed works or by order authorise the carrying out of the works with or without alteration.

(6) Subject to subsection (7) below, the persons authorised by an order under this section to carry out works shall have full power to carry out the works and to maintain them for ever thereafter.

(7) Where an order under this section is made, every person interested in the land affected by the order (other than any person who is one of those authorised to carry out the works) shall be entitled to compensation for any injury suffered by him in respect of that interest by reason of the works; and, in case of a dispute as to the amount of the compensation payable, the amount shall be determined by the Lands Tribunal.

(8) No order of the appropriate Minister under this section shall authorise any work whereby the streams, reservoirs or feeders supplying any ornamental waters will be cut through, diverted or interfered with otherwise than by agreement and with the consent of the persons to whom such ornamental waters belong.

(9) In this section “the appropriate Minister”—

(a) in relation to England, means the Minister; and

(b) in relation to Wales, means the Secretary of State.

Control of flow of watercourses etc.

23 Prohibition on obstructions etc. in watercourses

(1) No person shall—

(a) erect any mill dam, weir or other like obstruction to the flow of any ordinary watercourse or raise or otherwise alter any such obstruction; or

(b) erect any culvert that would be likely to affect the flow of any ordinary watercourse or alter any culvert in a manner that would be likely to affect any such flow,

without the consent in writing of the drainage board concerned.

(2) The drainage board concerned may require the payment of an application fee by a person who applies to them for their consent under this section; and the amount of that fee shall be £50 or such other sum as may be specified by order made by the Ministers.

(3) Where an application is made to the drainage board concerned for their consent under this section—

(a) the consent is not to be unreasonably withheld; and

(b) if the board fail within two months after the relevant day to notify the applicant in writing of their determination with respect to the application, they shall be deemed to have consented.

(4) In subsection (3) above “the relevant day”, in relation to an application for a consent under this section, means whichever is the later of—

(a) the day on which the application is made; and

(b) if at the time when the application is made an application fee is required to be paid, the day on which the liability to pay that fee is discharged.

(5) If any question arises under this section whether the consent of the drainage board concerned is unreasonably withheld, that question shall be referred to a single arbitrator to be agreed between the parties or, failing such agreement, to be appointed by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers on the application of either party.

(6) Nothing in this section shall apply—

(a) to any works under the control of a navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority; or

(b) to any works carried out or maintained under or in pursuance of any Act or any order having the force of an Act.

(7) The power of the Ministers to make an order under subsection (2) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(8) Subject to section 8 above, references in this section and section 24 below to the drainage board concerned—

(a) in relation to a watercourse in an internal drainage district, are references to the drainage board for that district; and

(b) in relation to any other watercourse, are references to the NRA.

24 Contraventions of prohibition on obstructions etc

(1) If any obstruction is erected or raised or otherwise altered, or any culvert is erected or altered, in contravention of section 23 above, it shall constitute a nuisance in respect of which the drainage board concerned may serve upon such person as is specified in subsection (2) below a notice requiring him to abate the nuisance within a period to be specified in the notice.

(2) The person upon whom a notice may be served under subsection (1) above is—

(a) in a case where the person by whom the obstruction has been erected or raised or otherwise altered has, at the time when the notice is served, power to remove the obstruction, that person; and

(b) in any other case, any person having power to remove the obstruction.

(3) If any person acts in contravention of, or fails to comply with, any notice served under subsection (1) above he shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction—

(a) to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale; and

(b) if the contravention or failure is continued after conviction, to a further fine not exceeding £40 for every day on which the contravention or failure is so continued.

(4) If any person acts in contravention of, or fails to comply with, any notice served under subsection (1) above, the drainage board concerned may, without prejudice to any proceedings under subsection (3) above—

(a) take such action as may be necessary to remedy the effect of the contravention or failure; and

(b) recover the expenses reasonably incurred by them in doing so from the person in default.

25 Powers to require works for maintaining flow of watercourse

(1) Subject to section 26 below, where any ordinary watercourse is in such a condition that the proper flow of water is impeded, then, unless the condition is attributable to subsidence due to mining operations (including brine pumping), the drainage board or local authority concerned may, by notice served on a person falling within subsection (3) below, require that person to remedy that condition.

(2) For the purposes of this section in its application in relation to any watercourse—

(a) the drainage board concerned is the drainage board for the internal drainage district in which the watercourse is situated; and

(b) the local authority concerned is the local authority for the area where the land as respects which the powers under this section are exercisable is situated;

but references in this section to the drainage board concerned shall, in relation to a watercourse which is not in an internal drainage district, be construed as references to the NRA.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) below, a notice under this section in relation to a watercourse may be served on—

(a) any person having control of the part of the watercourse where any impediment occurs; or

(b) any person owning or occupying land adjoining that part; or

(c) any person to whose act or default the condition of the watercourse mentioned in subsection (1) above is due.

(4) No notice under this section requiring any person to carry out any work on land not owned or occupied by him shall be served without the consent of the owner and the occupier of the land, except in a case where it is not practicable, after reasonable inquiry, to ascertain the name and address of the owner or occupier.

(5) A notice under this section shall indicate—

(a) the nature of the works to be carried out and the period within which they are to be carried out; and

(b) the right of appeal to a magistrates' court and the period within which such an appeal may be brought under section 27 below.

(6) Subject to the right of appeal provided by section 27 below, if the person upon whom a notice is served under this section fails to carry out the works indicated by the notice within the period so indicated—

(a) the drainage board or local authority concerned may themselves carry out the works and recover from that person the expenses reasonably incurred by them in doing so; and

(b) without prejudice to their right to exercise that power, that person shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(7) In proceedings by the drainage board or local authority concerned for the recovery of any expenses under subsection (6) above it shall not be open to the defendant to raise any question which he could not have raised on an appeal under section 27 below.

(8) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of an owner or occupier to recover from the other, under the terms of any lease or other contract, the amount of any expenses incurred by him under this section or recovered from him by the drainage board or local authority concerned.

26 Competing jurisdictions under section 25

(1) Before exercising their powers under section 25 above in relation to any watercourse or part of a watercourse a local authority shall, according to whether or not the watercourse or part is in an internal drainage district, notify either the drainage board for that district or the NRA.

(2) Where a local authority have powers (otherwise than under section 25 above) for securing the appropriate flow of water in any watercourse under their jurisdiction, the powers conferred by section 25 above shall not be exercised by any body in relation to that watercourse except—

(a) by agreement with the local authority; or

(b) where, after reasonable notice from that body, the local authority either fail to exercise their powers or exercise them improperly.

(3) Where any watercourse is under the jurisdiction of a navigation authority, harbour authority, conservancy authority or board of conservators which are exercising their powers, section 25 above shall not apply to the watercourse except with the consent of that authority or board.

(4) Nothing in this section shall apply in relation to section 25 above in its application to main rivers by virtue section 107(3) of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (main river functions of NRA).

27 Appeals against notices under section 25

(1) A person served with a notice under section 25 above may, within twenty-one days from the date on which the notice is served on him, appeal to a magistrates' court on any of the following grounds, that is to say—

(a) that the notice or requirement is not justified by that section;

(b) that there has been some informality, defect or error in, or in connection with, the notice;

(c) that the body which served the notice has refused unreasonably to approve the carrying out of alternative works, or that the works required by the notice to be carried out are otherwise unreasonable in character or extent, or are unnecessary;

(d) that the period within which the works are to be carried out is not reasonably sufficient for the purpose;

(e) that the notice might lawfully have been served on another person and that it would have been equitable for it to have been so served;

(f) that some other person ought to contribute towards the expenses of carrying out any works required by the notice.

(2) The procedure on an appeal under this section shall be by way of complaint for an order and in accordance with the [1980 c. 43.] Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.

(3) For the purposes of the time limit for bringing an appeal under this section the making of the complaint shall be treated as the bringing of the appeal.

(4) In so far as an appeal under this section is based on the ground of some informality, defect or error in, or in connection with, the notice, the court shall dismiss the appeal if it is satisfied that the informality, defect or error was not a material one.

(5) In the case of an appeal under this section, the appellant—

(a) may serve a copy of his notice of appeal on any person having an estate or interest in the part of the watercourse where the impediment occurs or land adjoining that part; and

(b) shall, where the grounds upon which the appeal under this section is brought include a ground specified in subsection (1)(e) or (f) above, serve a copy of his notice of appeal on each other person referred to.

(6) On the hearing of an appeal under this section the court may make such order as it thinks fit—

(a) with respect to the person by whom any work is to be carried out and the contribution to be made by any other person towards the cost of the work; or

(b) as to the proportions in which any expenses which may become recoverable by the body which served the notice are to be borne by the appellant and such other person.

(7) In exercising its powers under subsection (6) above the court shall have regard—

(a) as between an owner and an occupier, to the terms and conditions (whether contractual or statutory) of the tenancy and to the nature of the works required; and

(b) in any case, to the degree of benefit to be derived by the different persons concerned.

(8) A person aggrieved by an order, determination or other decision of a magistrates' court under this section may appeal to the Crown Court.

(9) Where upon an appeal under this section a court varies or reverses any decision of a body which has served a notice under section 25 above, it shall be the duty of that body to give effect to the order of the court.

Restoration and improvement of ditches

28 Orders requiring the cleansing of ditches etc

(1) Where a ditch is in such a condition as—

(a) to cause injury to any land; or

(b) to prevent the improvement of the drainage of any land,

the Agricultural Land Tribunal, on the application of the owner or occupier of the land, may if they think fit make an order requiring the person or persons named in the order to carry out such remedial work as may be specified in the order.

(2) An order under this section with respect to a ditch may name—

(a) any person who is an owner or occupier of land through which the ditch passes or which abuts on the ditch; and

(b) any person who, though not such an owner or occupier, has a right to carry out the work specified in the order or any part of it.

(3) Where an order under this section names more than one person it may either—

(a) require each of those persons to carry out a specified part of the work specified in the order; or

(b) subject to subsection (4) below, require all those persons jointly to carry out the whole of that work.

(4) Where the Agricultural Land Tribunal make an order requiring persons jointly to carry out any work, the Tribunal, without prejudice to those persons' joint liability, may, if they think fit, specify in the order the proportions in which those persons are to contribute to the cost of doing so.

(5) In this section—

• “ditch” includes a culverted and a piped ditch but does not include a watercourse vested in, or under the control of, a drainage body; and

• “remedial work”, in relation to a ditch, means work—

  (a)

  for cleansing the ditch, removing from it any matter which impedes the flow of water or otherwise putting it in proper order; and

  (b)

  for protecting it.

29 Effect of order under section 28

(1) An order under section 28 above shall be sufficient authority for any person named in the order—

(a) to do the work specified in relation to him in the order; and

(b) so far as may be necessary for that purpose, to enter any land so specified.

(2) Where at the end of three months, or such longer period as may be specified in the order, any work specified in an order under section 28 above has not been carried out, the appropriate Minister or any drainage body authorised by him, either generally or in a particular case, may—

(a) carry out the work;

(b) enter any land which it is necessary to enter for that purpose; and

(c) recover from any person named in the order the expenses reasonably incurred in carrying out under this subsection any work which ought to have been carried out by that person;

and those expenses may include any compensation payable in connection with the work under subsection (5) below.

(3) A person entitled by virtue of this section to enter any land—

(a) may take with him such other persons and such equipment as may be necessary; and

(b) if the land is unoccupied, shall, on leaving it, leave it as effectually secured against trespassers as he found it.

(4) Before entering any land under the powers conferred by virtue of this section the person entering it shall give not less than seven days' notice to the occupier of the land.

(5) Where any person sustains any injury by reason of the exercise of any power conferred by virtue of this section then, unless the power was exercised in or for the purpose of the carrying out of any work which that person was required to carry out by an order under section 28 above, the person exercising the power shall be liable to make full compensation to the person sustaining the injury.

(6) In the case of dispute the amount of the compensation payable under subsection (5) above shall be determined by the Lands Tribunal.

(7) The services for which provision may be made under section 1 of the [1986 c. 49.] Agriculture Act 1986 (provision of agricultural goods and services) shall include such services to the owner or occupier of any land as may enable him to carry out any work which he is authorised to carry out in exercise of any power conferred by virtue of this section.

(8) In this section “the appropriate Minister”—

(a) in relation to England, means the Minister; and

(b) in relation to Wales, means the Secretary of State.

30 Authorisation of drainage works in connection with a ditch

(1) Where the drainage of any land requires—

(a) the carrying out of any work in connection with a ditch passing through other land;

(b) the replacement or construction of such a ditch; or

(c) the alteration or removal of any drainage work in connection with such a ditch,

the Agricultural Land Tribunal, on the application of the owner or occupier of the first-mentioned land, may if they think fit make an order under this section.

(2) An order under this section is an order authorising the applicant for the order—

(a) for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above, to carry out such work as may be specified in the order; and

(b) so far as may be necessary for that purpose, to enter any land so specified.

(3) Subsections (3) to (7) of section 29 above shall apply in relation to the powers conferred by virtue of an order under this section as they apply in relation to the powers conferred by virtue of that section.

(4) In this section “ditch” has the same meaning as in section 28 above.

31 Composition and incidental powers of Agricultural Land Tribunal

(1) The Lord Chancellor shall draw up for each Agricultural Land Tribunal, and from time to time revise, a panel of persons appearing to him to be experienced in matters relating to the drainage of land.

(2) For each hearing by an Agricultural Land Tribunal of an application under section 28 or 30 above one of the members of the Tribunal shall, instead of being a person nominated in accordance with paragraph 16(1)(b) of Schedule 9 to the [1947 c. 48.] Agriculture Act 1947, be a person nominated by the chairman from the panel drawn up under this section.

(3) Paragraph 16A of Schedule 9 to the Agriculture Act 1947 (which provides for the exercise of the power of making nominations if the chairman is prevented from doing so) shall apply to nominations under this section.

(4) For the purpose of deciding any application under section 28 or 30 of this Act the Agricultural Land Tribunal may authorise any of its members or any other person to enter and inspect any land.

(5) Subsections (3) to (6) of section 29 above shall apply in relation to the power conferred by virtue of subsection (4) above as they apply in relation to the powers conferred by virtue of that section.

Part III Powers to Modify Existing Obligations

32 Variation of awards

(1) Where any award made under any public or local Act contains any provision which in any manner affects or relates to the drainage of land, including any provision affecting the powers or duties of any drainage body or other person with respect to the drainage of land, the NRA—

(a) may submit to the appropriate Minister for confirmation a scheme for revoking, varying or amending that provision; and

(b) shall submit such a scheme if it is directed to do so by the appropriate Minister on an application under subsection (2) below.

(2) An application may be made to the appropriate Minister for such a direction as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above by any person who is under any obligation imposed by the award or by any internal drainage board.

(3) An application under subsection (2) above shall not be entertained unless—

(a) the applicant has requested the NRA to submit a scheme under this section; and

(b) the NRA has either refused to do so or failed to do so within six months or has submitted a scheme different from that which was requested.

(4) A scheme under this section with respect to any award may—

(a) provide for commuting, on the basis on which the obligations to which section 33 below relates are to be commuted, the obligation of any person under the award to repair or maintain any drainage works;

(b) contain such incidental, consequential or supplemental provisions as are necessary or proper for the purposes of the scheme;

(c) be revoked or varied by a subsequent scheme under this section.

(5) The appropriate Minister may by order made by statutory instrument confirm any scheme submitted to him under this section, either with or without modifications.

(6) Schedule 3 to this Act shall apply with respect to an order confirming a scheme under this section.

(7) An order confirming a scheme under this section may contain provisions with respect to the persons by whom all or any of the expenses incurred by the appropriate Minister or other persons in connection with the making or confirmation of the order, or the making of the scheme, are to be borne.

(8) In this section “the appropriate Minister”—

(a) in relation to England, means the Minister; and

(b) in relation to Wales, means the Secretary of State.

33 Commutation of obligations

(1) Where—

(a) any person is under an obligation imposed on him by reason of tenure, custom, prescription or otherwise to do any work in connection with the drainage of land (whether by way of repairing banks or walls, maintaining watercourses or otherwise); and

(b) without prejudice to section 107(4) of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (application of this section to main rivers), that work is otherwise than in connection with a main river,

the NRA or the drainage board for the internal drainage district where the work falls to be done may commute the obligation with the consent of the appropriate Minister.

(2) Where the NRA or an internal drainage board propose to commute any obligation to which this section applies, the NRA or board shall give, in such manner as the appropriate Minister may direct, notice of—

(a) the proposal;

(b) the terms on which it is to be commuted; and

(c) the period within which objection to the proposal may be made.

(3) If within one month of any notice being given under subsection (2) above the person on whom the obligation is imposed gives notice to the NRA or board of his objection to the proposal, the question whether the NRA or board shall proceed to commute the obligation shall be referred to the appropriate Minister.

(4) The decision of the appropriate Minister on a reference under subsection (3) above shall be final.

(5) Nothing in this section shall apply to any obligation imposed by section 25 above.

(6) In this section and section 34 below “the appropriate Minister”—

(a) in relation to the NRA, means either of the Ministers; and

(b) in relation to an internal drainage board, means the relevant Minister.

34 Financial consequences of commutation

(1) Where any obligation is commuted under section 33 above, any person who would, but for the commutation, be entitled to any exemption in respect of drainage rates (either absolutely as being the person subject to the obligation or conditionally on performance of the obligation) shall be entitled absolutely to a like exemption.

(2) The sum to be paid in respect of the commutation of any obligation under section 33 above shall be such sum as the NRA or internal drainage board in question may, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) below, by order determine; and the sum so determined shall—

(a) be payable by way either of a capital sum or of a terminable annuity for a period not exceeding thirty years, at the option of the owner;

(b) be charged on the land in respect of which the obligation existed; and

(c) have priority over any other incumbrances (whenever created) charged on that land by the owner thereof, other than charges (whenever created) under the [1864 c. 114.] Improvement of Land Act 1864.

(3) Any capital sum or terminable annuity fixed under this section shall, notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary between the owner and any lessee of the land, be payable by the owner.

(4) For the purpose of determining the sum to be paid in respect of the commutation of any obligation, the NRA or internal drainage board in question shall—

(a) ascertain the amount which, in the opinion of the NRA or, as the case may be, that board, fairly represents the probable average annual cost, taking one year with another, of carrying out and maintaining in a due state of efficiency the works which are required to be carried out and maintained by virtue of the obligation to be commuted; and

(b) fix the capital sum or terminable annuity to be paid in respect of the commutation accordingly.

(5) In fixing any such capital sum or terminable annuity no account shall be taken of so much of the probable annual average cost as, in the opinion of the NRA or, as the case may be, the internal drainage board in question, is attributable to the fact that, by reason of—

(a) improvements effected since 1st January 1900 in the drainage of the land drained by a main river; or

(b) alterations effected since that date in the method of cultivation thereof,

the volume of water which is discharged into a main river at any time is greater than it would have been if those improvements or alterations had not been effected.

(6) If any person is aggrieved by any determination of the NRA or an internal drainage board under this section as regards the sum to be paid in respect of the commutation of any obligation, he may, at any time within three months after the date on which the NRA or board notify him of the determination, require the matter to be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator to be appointed, in default of agreement, by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

(7) On any reference under subsection (6) above the arbitrator may either confirm, vary or set aside the determination of the NRA or internal drainage board in question, as he thinks proper.

(8) An order under this section may contain provisions with respect to the persons by whom all or any of the expenses incurred by the appropriate Minister or other persons in connection with the making or confirmation of the order are to be borne.

(9) A record of any such charge as is mentioned in subsection (2) above shall be entered in a register to be kept for the purpose by an authorised officer of the NRA or internal drainage board; and a copy of any such record purporting to be certified by such an officer as a true copy shall be receivable in evidence in all legal proceedings.

35 Powers to vary navigation rights

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, where, on an application made to him for that purpose by the NRA and (except where the application is made in connection with a main river) the drainage boards for every internal drainage district within which any of the waters to which that application relates are situated—

(a) it appears to either of the Ministers that a navigation authority is not exercising at all, or is not exercising to the necessary extent, the powers vested in it; and

(b) it appears to him desirable to do so with a view to securing the better drainage of any land,

he may by order made by statutory instrument revoke, vary or amend the provisions of any local Act relating to navigation rights over any canal, river or navigable waters or to the powers and duties of the navigation authority with respect to any canal, river or navigable waters.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by subsection (1) above, an order under this section may extinguish, vary or suspend, during such period as the Minister making the order may think proper, any such rights, powers or duties as are mentioned in that subsection.

(3) The power of each of the Ministers to make an order under this section—

(a) shall be exercisable only after consultation with the Secretary of State for the Environment; and

(b) shall not be exercisable in relation to any waters within the ebb and flow of the tide at ordinary spring tides except with the consent of the Secretary of State for Transport.

(4) An order made under this section may contain such incidental, consequential or supplemental provisions as appear to the Minister making the order to be necessary or proper for the purposes of the order.

(5) Schedule 3 to this Act shall apply with respect to an order under this section.

Part IV Financial Provisions

Chapter I Provision for the Expenses of Internal Drainage Boards

Raising and apportionment of expenses

36 Raising of the expenses of internal drainage boards

(1) The expenses under this or any other Act of the drainage board for an internal drainage district (including any contribution made by the board towards expenses of the NRA) shall, in so far as they are not met by contributions from the NRA, be raised by means of—

(a) drainage rates made by the board under and in accordance with Chapter II of this Part or, in relation to any time before 1st April 1993, the provisions saved by virtue of paragraph 15 of Schedule 2 to the [1991 c. 60.] Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991; and

(b) special levies issued by the board under and in accordance with regulations made under section 75 of the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988.

(2) The expenses of a drainage board which are raised by means of drainage rates in respect of the financial year beginning in 1993 and subsequent financial years shall be defrayed out of such rates without regard to the purpose for which any such expenses were incurred.

37 Apportionment of drainage expenses

(1) Subject to any provision made by or under section 38 below, the following provision shall have effect with respect to the raising by a drainage board for any internal drainage district of their expenses for the financial year beginning in 1993 and each subsequent financial year, that is to say—

(a) the proportion of the expenses of the board which shall be raised from the proceeds of drainage rates shall be equal to the agricultural proportion, determined for that year in accordance with the following provisions of this section, of land values in that district; and

(b) the proportion of the expenses of the board which shall be raised from the proceeds of special levies shall be such as to raise the balance of the expenses of the board remaining after deduction of the amount to be raised for that year from the proceeds of drainage rates.

(2) The drainage board for every internal drainage district, before 15th February 1993 and before 15th February in every subsequent year, shall determine for the financial year beginning on the following 1st April—

(a) the aggregate annual value of the chargeable properties in that district; and

(b) the aggregate value of all other land in that district;

and the agricultural proportion for any financial year of land values in that district shall be the amount determined for that year under paragraph (a) above divided by the sum of that amount and the amount determined for that year under paragraph (b) above.

(3) A determination made under subsection (2) above for any financial year shall be made as at the 31st December preceding that financial year.

(4) For the purposes of this section the annual value of a chargeable property shall be its annual value for the purposes of Chapter II of this Part.

(5) For the purposes of this section the value of other land in an internal drainage district shall be taken to be—

(a) in the case of a hereditament shown in the local non-domestic rating list of a charging authority on 1st April 1990, one third of the relevant proportion of the rateable value shown for that hereditament in respect of that date in that list on 31st December 1992;

(b) in the case of domestic property shown in a valuation list on 31st March 1990, one third of the relevant proportion of the rateable value shown for it in the list on that date multiplied by a factor of 6.73;

(c) in the case of a hereditament which—

(i) is neither one to which paragraph (a) above applies nor domestic property to which paragraph (b) above applies; but

(ii) was shown on the 31st March 1990 in the register maintained for the drainage board for that district in accordance with the [S.I. 1968/1672.] Registers of Drainage Boards Regulations 1968,

one third of the annual value shown for that hereditament in that register on that date multiplied by a factor of 8.02;

(d) in the case of any land to which none of paragraphs (a) to (c) applies, the amount calculated by multiplying—

(i) the area of the land, expressed in hectares and parts of a hectare; by

(ii) such a unit value per hectare as represents the average value per hectare of all land to which those paragraphs do apply if the average is calculated by reference to the values determined in accordance with those paragraphs.

(6) In paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (5) above—

• “relevant proportion”, in relation to the rateable value of any hereditament, means the proportion of that value which the area of the part of the hereditament lying within the internal drainage district in question bears to the total area of that hereditament; and

• “valuation list” means a valuation list maintained under Part V of the [1967 c. 9.] General Rate Act 1967.

Division of district for purposes of drainage rates and special levies

38 Orders sub-dividing a district for the purposes of raising expenses

(1) A drainage board for an internal drainage district, after consultation with the NRA, may—

(a) for the purpose of levying differential drainage rates or issuing differential special levies, from time to time by order divide that district into sub-districts; and

(b) if, having regard to all the circumstances, they think that it is just to do so, exercise their powers, under Chapter II of this Part or any regulations made under section 75 of the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988, to make and levy differential drainage rates or issue differential special levies.

(2) Any order made under this section in respect of an internal drainage district may determine the proportions of the expenses of the drainage board for that district which are to be raised in the respective sub-districts within that district.

(3) Where an order made under this section is in force in respect of an internal drainage district and the order does not determine the proportions of the expenses of the drainage board for that district which are to be raised in the respective sub-districts, the amount to be raised in the respective sub-districts shall be determined as follows, that is to say—

(a) expenses incurred in connection with new works or the maintenance or improvement of existing works in each sub-district shall be raised in that sub-district; and

(b) there shall be raised in each sub-district a proportionate part—

(i) of the charges incurred by the board in respect of contributions to the NRA under section 139 of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (contributions from internal drainage boards to NRA), or amounts specified under section 58 below as corresponding to such contributions; and

(ii) of other expenses and charges not directly attributable to the maintenance of particular works.

(4) Where an order under this section is in force in respect of an internal drainage district, the proportions of the expenses of the drainage board for that district raised in a sub-district which shall be raised by means of drainage rates and special levies respectively shall, in respect of the financial year beginning in 1993 and each subsequent financial year, bear the same proportion to each other as are borne to each other by the following amounts, that is to say—

(a) the aggregate of the annual values of the chargeable properties in that sub-district; and

(b) the aggregate of the values of other land in that sub-district;

and subsections (2) to (6) of section 37 above shall have effect in respect of each sub-district for the purpose of determining those aggregate amounts as they have effect in respect of an internal drainage district for the purpose of determining the amounts specified in subsection (2)(a) and (b) of that section.

(5) When an order is made under this section by the drainage board for an internal drainage district, the board shall—

(a) submit the order to the relevant Minister; and

(b) forthwith thereafter publish, in one or more newspapers circulating in that district, a notice under subsection (6) below.

(6) A notice under this subsection is a notice stating—

(a) that the order has been submitted to the relevant Minister;

(b) that a copy of the order is open to inspection at a specified place; and

(c) that representations with respect to the order may be made to the relevant Minister within one month after the publication of the notice.

(7) Where an order is submitted to the relevant Minister under this section—

(a) he shall forthwith take into consideration the order; and

(b) the order shall have no effect unless and until it is confirmed by him.

39 Petition for sub-division of internal drainage district

(1) Subject to subsection (6) below, where a petition for the making, variation or revocation of an order under section 38 above is made to the drainage board for an internal drainage district by a sufficient number of qualified persons or by a qualified authority, the board—

(a) shall consider the petition; and

(b) if so directed by a direction under subsection (2) below, shall make, vary or revoke the order, either in accordance with the petition or in accordance with the petition as modified by the direction.

(2) A direction under this subsection is a direction given—

(a) if the NRA is the board, by either of the Ministers; and

(b) in any other case, by the NRA.

(3) Where an internal drainage board object to a direction under subsection (2) above given by the NRA, the direction shall have no effect unless confirmed (with or without modifications) by the relevant Minister.

(4) Subject to subsection (6) below, where a petition under this section is received by the drainage board for an internal drainage district, the board shall—

(a) inform the NRA or, if the NRA is the board, one of the Ministers; and

(b) publish a notice under subsection (5) below in one or more newspapers circulating in that district.

(5) A notice under this subsection is a notice—

(a) that the petition has been received,

(b) that the making, variation or revocation of an order under section 38 above will be considered; and

(c) that representations may be made to the drainage board within a period (which shall not be less than thirty days) stated in the notice.

(6) This section does not require the drainage board for an internal drainage district to consider any petition or publish any notice of a petition if—

(a) they have received a petition under this section within the period of ten years immediately preceding the making of the first-mentioned petition;

(b) they have, within that period, by an order made in exercise of the powers conferred by section 38 above, divided their district into sub-districts or varied or abolished any sub-district; or

(c) the petition is frivolous in the opinion of the NRA or, if the NRA is the board, of either of the Ministers.

(7) After considering a petition under this section and not later than six months after it is received, a drainage board shall inform the NRA or, as the case may be, one of the Ministers—

(a) whether they propose to make, vary or revoke any order under section 38 above; and

(b) if they propose to make or vary such an order, of the terms of the order or variation they propose to make.

Chapter II Drainage Rates

Levying of drainage rates

40 Levying of drainage rates

(1) In respect of financial years beginning in or after 1993, the drainage board for an internal drainage district may make a drainage rate in respect of agricultural land and buildings.

(2) Every drainage rate made under this Chapter by the drainage board for an internal drainage district shall be assessed and levied, subject to and in accordance with this Chapter and any order under section 38 above, on the occupiers of hereditaments in the district; but for the purposes of this subsection and the following provisions of this Chapter the owner of a hereditament shall be deemed to be its occupier during any period during which it is unoccupied.

(3) Every drainage rate shall be made in respect of a financial year and, without prejudice to section 50 below or any corresponding provision of any local Act, the drainage board for an internal drainage district shall not make more than one rate in respect of the same financial year.

(4) Every drainage rate shall be made before 15th February in the financial year preceding that in respect of which it is made, but is not invalid merely because it is made on or after that date.

41 Rates charged by reference to annual value of agricultural land and buildings

(1) Subject to section 38 above and section 47 below, a rate made by the drainage board for an internal drainage district shall be assessed at a uniform amount per pound throughout the district on the annual value of the agricultural land or agricultural buildings in respect of which it is made.

(2) For the purposes of this Chapter the annual value of any chargeable property shall (subject to sections 43 and 44 below) be the amount, determined in accordance with section 42 below, which is equal to the yearly rent, in respect of a holding comprising the chargeable property, at which the holding might reasonably be expected to have been let, by a prudent and willing landlord to a prudent and willing tenant, on a tenancy from year to year commencing on 1st April 1988 and on the relevant terms.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) above chargeable property is let on the relevant terms if—

(a) the tenancy incorporates the terms set out in subsection (4) below; and

(b) the property is let on the terms relating to maintenance, repair and insurance of fixed equipment which are set out in the Schedule to the [S.I. 1973/1473.] Agriculture (Maintenance, Repair and Insurance of Fixed Equipment) Regulations 1973.

(4) The terms mentioned in subsection (3)(a) above are—

(a) a covenant by the tenant, in the event of the destruction by fire of harvested crops grown on the holding for consumption on it, to return to the holding the full equivalent manurial value of the crops destroyed, in so far as the return of that value is required for the fulfilment of his responsibilities to farm in accordance with the rules of good husbandry;

(b) a covenant by the tenant to insure against damage by fire all dead stock on the holding and all harvested crops grown on the holding for consumption on it;

(c) a power for the landlord to re-enter on the holding in the event of the tenant not performing his obligations under the tenancy agreement;

(d) a covenant by the tenant not to assign sub-let or part with possession of the holding or any part of it without the landlord’s consent in writing.

(5) In determining for the purposes of subsection (2) above the yearly rents at which a property might reasonably be expected to have been let, any liability for the payment of drainage rates shall be disregarded, but account shall be taken of all other relevant factors, including, in every case—

(a) the character and situation of the holding (including the locality in which it is situated);

(b) the productive capacity of the holding and its related earning capacity; and

(c) the level of rents for comparable lettings current on 1st April 1988.

(6) In determining for the purposes of subsection (5) above the level of rents current on 1st April 1988 for comparable lettings—

(a) account may be taken of any available evidence with respect to the rents which are or were payable in respect of tenancies of comparable agricultural holdings on terms (other than terms fixing the rent payable) similar to those assumed for the holding in question; but

(b) the following shall be disregarded—

(i) any element of the rents in question which is due to appreciable scarcity of comparable holdings available for letting on such terms compared with the number of persons seeking to become tenants of such holdings on such terms;

(ii) any element of those rents which is due to the fact that the tenant of, or a person tendering for, a comparable holding is in occupation of other land in the vicinity of that holding that may conveniently be occupied with that holding; and

(iii) any effect on those rents which is due to any allowances or reductions made in consideration of the charging of premiums.

(7) In this section—

• “productive capacity”, in relation to a holding, means the productive capacity of the holding determined (taking into account fixed equipment and any other available facilities on the holding) on the assumption that the holding is in the occupation of a competent tenant practising a system of farming suitable to the holding; and

• “related earning capacity”, in relation to the productive capacity of a holding, means the extent to which, in the light of that productive capacity, a competent tenant practising such a system of farming could reasonably be expected to profit from farming that holding.

Determination and modification of annual value

42 Determination of annual value

(1) Without prejudice to sections 43 and 44 below, the drainage board for every internal drainage district shall, not later than 31st December 1992, determine the annual value for the purposes of section 41 above of each chargeable property in their district on that date.

(2) Where after 31st December 1992—

(a) any property in an internal drainage district becomes chargeable property;

(b) any property consisting of agricultural land or buildings becomes part of an internal drainage district,

then, as soon as practicable after the date (“the valuation date”) on which the property has become chargeable property or, as the case may be, part of that district, the drainage board for that district shall determine the annual value for the purposes of section 41 above of that property.

(3) A determination made under subsection (2) above shall have effect from the valuation date.

(4) Where any drainage board make a determination under this section, they shall serve notice of the determination, together with a statement in writing of the right of appeal under section 45 below, on the occupier of the property to which the determination relates.

(5) For the purpose of enabling the drainage board for an internal drainage district to comply with their obligations under subsections (1) and (2) above, the occupier of a chargeable property shall afford reasonable facilities for inspecting the property to the drainage board for the internal drainage district in which the property lies and to the officers and agents of that board.

43 Adjustment of annual values to secure fair distribution of rating burden

(1) If the drainage board for any internal drainage district are of the opinion that the amount of the annual value of any chargeable property in that district should be increased or reduced, having regard to changes in the relevant circumstances, for the purpose of securing that the burden of the drainage rates payable in respect of all chargeable properties in the district is fairly distributed so far as reasonably practicable among the persons liable to pay those rates, the board may make a determination of annual value under this section.

(2) If the occupier of any chargeable property in a drainage district is of the opinion that, having regard to changes in the relevant circumstances, the amount of the annual value of the property should be altered for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above—

(a) he may request the drainage board in writing to make a determination under this section in respect of the property; and

(b) the board shall either comply with the request or, if they consider that no alteration of the value is required for that purpose, determine that the request be refused.

(3) A determination of annual value under this section shall be a determination in accordance with section 44 below specifying as the annual value of the chargeable property in question such greater or smaller amount than the amount of the annual value as the board, having regard—

(a) to the changes in the relevant circumstances; and

(b) to any other alterations of annual values under this section made or proposed by the board,

consider just for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1) above.

(4) For the purposes of this section a change in the relevant circumstances, in relation to any chargeable property, is a change in the circumstances by reference to which the annual value of the property in question, or of any other chargeable property in the district in question, was fixed.

44 Effect of determinations under section 43

(1) Where a drainage board make a determination under section 43 above, they shall serve notice of the determination, together with a statement in writing of the rights of appeal conferred by section 45 below, on the occupier of the chargeable property to which the determination relates.

(2) Subject to section 46 below (and notwithstanding anything in section 41 above), where a determination of annual value under section 43 above is made in pursuance of section 43(1) above, the annual value of the property in question shall, for the purposes of any drainage rate made after the effective date, be that specified in the determination.

(3) Subject to section 46 below (and notwithstanding anything in section 41 above), where a determination of annual value under section 43 above is made in pursuance of section 43(2) above, the annual value of the property in question shall for the purposes of—

(a) any drainage rate made in respect of any period included in the financial year in which the request for the determination was made; and

(b) any drainage rate made in respect of any subsequent period,

be that specified in the determination.

(4) Where—

(a) the annual value of any chargeable property is altered by a determination under section 43 above which is made in pursuance of subsection (2) of that section;

(b) drainage rates for any period in respect of the chargeable property have been or are subsequently paid by reference to its annual value before the alteration; and

(c) the period is one for which, in accordance with subsection (3) above, the amount of those rates falls to be assessed on the value specified in the determination,

that amount shall be recalculated accordingly and any sum overpaid shall be repaid or allowed, and any sum underpaid may be recovered as if it were arrears of drainage rates.

(5) In this section “the effective date”, in relation to a determination under section 43 above, means the date on which notice of the determination is served in pursuance of subsection (1) above on the occupier of the chargeable property to which the determination relates.

45 Appeals against determinations of annual value

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, where a determination under section 42 or 43 above is made by the drainage board for an internal drainage district, the occupier of the land in respect of which the determination is made may appeal, in accordance with this section, against the determination.

(2) An occupier who wishes to appeal under this section against any determination must, before the end of—

(a) the period of twenty-eight days beginning with the date of service on him of notice of the determination; or

(b) such longer period as the drainage board which made the determination may allow, either generally or in any particular case,

serve on the board a notice objecting to the determination and stating the grounds of the objection.

(3) Where notice of objection to a determination is served in pursuance of subsection (2) above, the drainage board which made the determination, if they think fit, may, before the end of the period of twenty-eight days beginning with the date of service of the notice on them—

(a) cancel the determination; and

(b) subject to subsection (4) below, make in its place a fresh determination under section 42 or, as the case may be, section 43 above;

and section 46(7) below shall have effect in relation to the cancellation and the other provisions of this Chapter shall have effect in relation to the fresh determination accordingly.

(4) Where notice of objection is served in pursuance of subsection (2) above in respect of a determination made by a drainage board under section 43 above, the board—

(a) may cancel the determination in accordance with subsection (3) above without making a fresh determination in its place; and

(b) where they do so, shall serve notice of cancellation on the person by whom the notice of objection was served on them.

(5) Where—

(a) notice of objection to a determination is served in pursuance of subsection (2) above and is not withdrawn before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (3) above; and

(b) the drainage board which made the determination do not cancel it in accordance with subsection (3) above,

that board shall, forthwith after the end of that period, transmit the notice and a note of the determination to the clerk of the appropriate tribunal.

(6) The transmission in pursuance of subsection (5) above of the notice of objection to a determination by a drainage board shall constitute the lodging of an appeal against the determination, by the person who served the notice on the board, to a valuation and community charge tribunal constituted in accordance with section 46 below.

(7) In subsection (5) above “the appropriate tribunal”, in relation to a determination under section 42 or 43 above, means-

(a) the valuation and community charge tribunal established, in accordance with regulations under Schedule 11 to the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988, for the area in which the land to which the determination relates is situated; or

(b) where different parts of that land are situated in different areas for which such tribunals are established, such one of those tribunals as may be determined by or under the [S.I. 1970/1152.] Drainage Rates (Appeals) Regulations 1970.

46 Hearing and determination of appeals under section 45

(1) It shall be the duty of the president of the valuation and community charge tribunal to whose clerk a notice of objection is transmitted in pursuance of section 45 above to arrange for the appeal to which the notice relates to be heard and determined.

(2) Subsections (5) and (6) of section 88 of the 1967 Act shall apply—

(a) to the constitution of the tribunal to hear and determine an appeal against a determination under section 42 or 43 above; and

(b) to the rehearing of such an appeal in case of such a failure to agree as is mentioned in subsection (6) of section 88 of that Act.

(3) On the hearing of an appeal to a valuation and community charge tribunal against a determination under section 42 or 43 above the following persons, that is to say—

(a) the person whose notice of objection to the determination in question has resulted in the hearing;

(b) any other person who is the occupier of any land to which the determination relates; and

(c) the drainage board by which the determination was made,

shall be entitled to appear and be heard as parties to the appeal and to call witnesses and to examine any witness before the tribunal.

(4) On an appeal to a valuation and community charge tribunal against a determination under section 42 or 43 above, the tribunal—

(a) shall sit in public, unless the tribunal otherwise orders, on being satisfied, on the application of a party to the appeal, that the interests of that party would be prejudicially affected; and

(b) shall have power to administer oaths and to take evidence on oath;

but, subject to that and to the [S.I. 1970/1152.] Drainage Rates (Appeals) Regulations 1970, the procedure of such a tribunal in relation to such an appeal shall be such as the tribunal may determine.

(5) The tribunal which is convened under this section to determine an appeal against a determination under section 42 or 43 above shall, after hearing the persons mentioned in subsection (3) above or such of them as desire to be heard, do one of the following—

(a) quash the determination to which the appeal relates; or

(b) alter the determination in such manner as the tribunal thinks just; or

(c) dismiss the appeal.

(6) Section 77 of the 1967 Act (which provides for appeals from valuation and community charge tribunals to the Lands Tribunal) shall have effect in relation to a decision of a valuation and community charge tribunal on an appeal against a determination under section 42 or 43 above as if—

(a) for the reference to section 76 of that Act there were substituted a reference to the preceding provisions of this section; and

(b) the words from “and the valuation officer” onwards were omitted.

(7) Where a determination under section 42 or 43 above of the amount of the annual value of any property is quashed or altered on appeal or is cancelled in accordance with section 45 above, then (except in so far as the parties agree otherwise)—

(a) that amount of the annual value shall be recalculated accordingly; and

(b) any sum overpaid shall be repaid or allowed and any sum underpaid may be recovered as if it were arrears of drainage rates.

(8) Where a determination under section 42 or 43 above which has been quashed is subsequently restored on appeal—

(a) the amount of any drainage rate falling to be recalculated in consequence of the appeal shall (except in so far as the parties agree otherwise) be recalculated accordingly; and

(b) any sum overpaid shall be repaid or allowed and any sum underpaid may be recovered as if it were arrears of drainage rates.

(9) In this section “the 1967 Act” means the [1967 c. 9.] General Rate Act 1967.

Power to grant exemptions from rating

47 Power to grant exemptions from rating

(1) The drainage board for an internal drainage district, after consultation with the NRA, may by order determine that no rates shall be levied by them on the occupiers of hereditaments in any portion of the district which, in their opinion, ought (either by reason of its height above sea level or for any other reason) to be exempted wholly from rating.

(2) Subsections (5) to (7) of section 38 above shall apply in relation to orders made under this section as they apply in relation to orders made under that section.

(3) Where the occupier of any hereditament in an internal drainage district requests the drainage board for the district to make or amend an order under this section so as to exempt from drainage rates the portion of the district in which the hereditament is situated, the board—

(a) shall consider the request; and

(b) if so directed under this section, shall comply with it.

(4) Where a request under subsection (3) above is refused by the drainage board for an internal drainage district, the person making it may appeal—

(a) to the NRA; or

(b) if the board is the NRA, to the relevant Minister;

and the NRA or, as the case may be, the relevant Minister may direct the board to make or amend the order as requested.

(5) Where a request under subsection (3) above is neither refused nor complied with within three months after it is made, it shall be treated for the purposes of subsection (4) above as having been refused.

Making and assessment of rates

48 Procedure for making of rate

(1) A drainage rate shall—

(a) be made by the drainage board for an internal drainage district in writing under the common seal of the board; and

(b) be treated as made on the date on which a resolution is passed by the board authorising their seal to be affixed to the rate.

(2) A drainage rate made by a drainage board shall not be valid unless notice of it stating-

(a) the amount of the rate;

(b) the amounts of the board’s expenses to be raised by means of drainage rates and special levies, respectively; and

(c) the date on which the rate was made,

is given by the board in accordance with subsection (3) below within ten days of its being made.

(3) A notice under subsection (2) above of a rate made by the drainage board for any internal drainage district may, as the board think fit, either—

(a) be affixed in one or more public or conspicuous places in that district; or

(b) be published in one or more newspapers circulating in that district.

(4) Every drainage rate shall be in the prescribed form.

49 Assessment for rating

(1) This section shall have effect with respect to the assessment of persons to a drainage rate in respect of any hereditament (“the relevant hereditament”) and the liability of the occupier of that hereditament in respect of the rate.

(2) Every rate shall be assessed on the person who at the date of the making of the rate is the occupier of the relevant hereditament.

(3) The full amount of a drainage rate may be recovered by the drainage board in question from any person who is the occupier of the relevant hereditament at any time during the period in respect of which the rate is made; but a person who is in occupation of any hereditament for part only of the period in respect of which a drainage rate is made shall be liable, by virtue of subsection (4) below, to bear a proportionate part only of the rate.

(4) If a person who is in occupation of the relevant hereditament for part only of a period for which a drainage rate is raised is required under subsection (3) above to pay the full amount of the rate, he may (subject to any agreement to the contrary) recover, from any other person who has been in occupation of the relevant hereditament for part of that period, the amount which that other person is liable to bear.

(5) Where the name of any person liable to be assessed to any drainage rate is not known to the board, it shall be sufficient to assess him by the description of “the occupier” of the premises (naming them) in respect of which the assessment is made, without further name or description.

(6) Every demand for a drainage rate shall be in the prescribed form.

(7) Where the value on which a drainage rate is assessed would, apart from this subsection, include a fraction of a pound, the fraction shall—

(a) if greater than fifty pence, be treated as one pound; and

(b) in any other case, be disregarded.

50 Amendments as respects drainage rates

(1) The drainage board for an internal drainage district may at any time make such amendments in the current or last preceding drainage rate as appear to them necessary in order to make the rate conform with this Part and, in particular, may—

(a) correct any clerical or arithmetical error;

(b) correct any erroneous insertions or omissions or any misdescriptions;

(c) make such additions or corrections as appear to the board to be necessary by reason of—

(i) any change in the occupation of any hereditament; or

(ii) any property previously rated as a single hereditament becoming liable to be rated in parts.

(2) The drainage board for an internal drainage district shall serve notice of any amendment made by them in pursuance of this section on the occupier of every hereditament affected by it.

(3) Where an amendment is made in pursuance of this section—

(a) any amount overpaid shall be repaid or allowed; and

(b) any amount underpaid may be recovered as if it were arrears of the rate.

51 Other appeals against drainage rates

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, if any person, as occupier of any hereditament in a drainage district, is aggrieved, upon any ground other than a ground upon which he might have appealed in pursuance of section 45 above—

(a) by a drainage rate; or

(b) by an amendment of a drainage rate,

he may appeal against the rate, or the rate as amended, to the Crown Court.

(2) Notice of appeal under this section, specifying the grounds of the appeal, must be given within twenty-eight days after, as the case may be—

(a) the date on which the rate is made; or

(b) the date on which notice of the amendment is served on the appellant,

to the Crown Court, to the internal drainage board in question and also, if the appeal relates to a hereditament not in the occupation of the appellant, to the occupier of that hereditament.

(3) On an appeal under this section, the Crown Court shall, as it thinks just, either confirm the rate or annul or modify it.

(4) The appellant and the respondent to an appeal under this section may agree in writing to refer the matter in dispute to the arbitration of such person as may be agreed between them or, in default of agreement, as may be appointed by the relevant Minister.

(5) In the event of a reference under subsection (4) above, the costs of and incidental to the hearing before the arbitrator and his award shall be in the discretion of the arbitrator and, if not agreed by the parties, shall be taxed as part of the costs of the appeal to the Crown Court.

Supplemental and enforcement provisions

52 Registers of drainage hereditaments

(1) It shall be the duty of the drainage board for each internal drainage district to prepare in the prescribed form and within the prescribed period, or such longer period as the relevant Minister may allow in any particular case—

(a) a register containing the prescribed information in respect of the drainage hereditaments in that district; and

(b) a map showing the prescribed particulars of such of those hereditaments as are of the prescribed description.

(2) It shall be the duty of the drainage board for each internal drainage district—

(a) to maintain the register and map prepared by them in pursuance of subsection (1) above; and

(b) to alter the register or map in such circumstances and in such manner, and within such periods, as may be prescribed.

(3) It shall be the duty of the drainage board for each internal drainage district to keep the register and map maintained by them in pursuance of subsection (2) above open to inspection at prescribed places by members of the public at all reasonable times.

53 Power to require information

(1) The drainage board for an internal drainage district may serve on the owner of any hereditament in the district in respect of which a drainage rate is levied a notice requiring him to state in writing the name and address of any person known to him as being an occupier of that hereditament.

(2) A person shall be guilty of an offence under this section if, where a notice is served on him under subsection (1) above, he—

(a) fails without reasonable excuse to comply with the notice; or

(b) in pursuance of the notice—

(i) makes any statement in respect of the information required which he knows to be false in a material particular; or

(ii) recklessly makes any statement in respect of that information which is false in a material particular.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(4) Where—

(a) a person is convicted of an offence under this section in respect of a failure to comply with a notice; and

(b) the failure continues after conviction,

then, unless he has a reasonable excuse for the continuance of the failure, he shall be guilty of a further offence under this section and shall be liable, on summary conviction, to be punished accordingly.

54 Powers for enforcing payment

(1) Arrears of any drainage rates made under this Chapter may be recovered by the drainage board for an internal drainage district in the same manner in which arrears of a non-domestic rate may be recovered under the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988 by a charging authority.

(2) The drainage board for an internal drainage district may by resolution authorise any member or officer of the board, either generally or in respect of particular proceedings—

(a) to institute or defend on their behalf proceedings in relation to a drainage rate; or

(b) notwithstanding that he is not qualified to act as a solicitor, to appear on their behalf in any proceedings before a magistrates' court for the issue of a warrant of distress for failure to pay a drainage rate.

(3) In proceedings for the recovery of arrears of a drainage rate the defendant shall not be entitled to raise by way of defence any matter which might have been raised on an appeal under section 45 or 51 above.

(4) The powers conferred by this section are in addition to, and not in substitution for, the powers conferred by any provision of any local Act on any drainage board in relation to arrears of drainage rates; and for the purposes of any such provisions a rate made under this Chapter shall be treated, subject to subsection (5) below, as a rate to which those provisions apply.

(5) Notwithstanding anything in any local Act—

(a) no distress for arrears of any rate made under this Chapter shall be levied on the goods or chattels of any person other than a person from whom the arrears may be recovered by virtue of subsection (1) above; and

(b) no proceedings shall be taken, whether by action or otherwise, for the enforcement of any charge on land created by a local Act for securing payment of arrears of any rate made under this Chapter.

(6) The drainage board for an internal drainage district shall not be required to enforce payment of any drainage rate in any case where the amount payable is, in their opinion, insufficient to justify the expense of collection.

Chapter III Further Financial Provisions

55 Powers of internal drainage boards and local authorities to borrow etc

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, an internal drainage board may borrow, on the security of their property or income—

(a) for the purpose of defraying any costs, charges or expenses incurred by them in the execution of this Act; or

(b) for the purpose of discharging any loan contracted by them under this Act or any provision re-enacted, whether directly or indirectly, by this Act.

(2) The council of a county or London borough and the Common Council of the City of London may borrow for the purposes of this Act.

(3) The consent of the relevant Minister shall be required for any borrowing by an internal drainage board under this section other than a borrowing for the purpose of discharging any loan previously contracted.

(4) Money borrowed by an internal drainage board under this section may be borrowed for such period not exceeding fifty years as the board, with the consent of the relevant Minister, may in each case determine.

(5) Where the drainage board for an internal drainage district borrow any sums in respect of which they have determined that some part only of that district shall be liable, the money borrowed shall be repayable only out of rates levied on, or special levies issued or contributions received in respect of, that part of the drainage district.

(6) The provisions of the [1847 c. 16.] Commissioners Clauses Act 1847 as to mortgages shall be incorporated with the provisions of this section so far as it relates to borrowing by an internal drainage board.

(7) Where the owner of any land comprised within any internal drainage district is authorised to invest money on real security, he shall, unless the instrument authorising the investment provides to the contrary, have power to invest money on a first mortgage of the drainage rates leviable by the drainage board for that district.

(8) The reference in subsection (1) above to an internal drainage board borrowing on the security of their property or income is a reference to their borrowing on the security of any property vested in the board or on the security of—

(a) any rates to be levied by the board under this Act;

(b) any special levies to be issued by the board in accordance with regulations under section 75 of the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988; or

(c) any contributions to be paid to the board under this Act.

56 Concurrent power of boards to impose navigation tolls

(1) The power of the NRA under section 143 of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 to make an application for the imposition of tolls in respect of navigation shall, in the case of waters within an internal drainage district which do not form part of a main river, be exercisable by the drainage board for that district, concurrently with the NRA.

(2) Subsection (4) of section 143 of the Water Resources Act 1991 shall have effect in relation to tolls imposed, by virtue of this section, on the application of an internal drainage board as if the reference in that subsection to the NRA were a reference to that board.

57 Contributions by the NRA to expenses of internal drainage boards

(1) Where it appears to the drainage board for any internal drainage district that, by reason—

(a) of the quantity of water which that district receives from lands at a higher level; or

(b) of the period that will elapse before that district obtains any relief from operations of the NRA on a main river,

it is fair that a contribution towards their expenses should be made by the NRA, they may make an application to the NRA for a contribution.

(2) On an application under subsection (1) above the NRA may resolve to make to the internal drainage board such contribution, if any, as may be specified in the resolution.

(3) A resolution under this section may be acted upon by the NRA forthwith, notwithstanding that the period for bringing an appeal under subsection (4) below has not expired or that an appeal so brought is pending.

(4) If—

(a) an internal drainage board is aggrieved by a resolution of the NRA under this section determining the amount of any contribution or refusing to make a contribution; or

(b) the council of any county or London borough is aggrieved by any such resolution on the ground that the contribution to be made by the NRA is excessive,

the board or council may, within six weeks after the date on which notice of the resolution is given by the NRA to the internal drainage board in question, appeal to the relevant Minister against the resolution.

(5) On an appeal under this section the relevant Minister may, after considering any objections made to him and, if he thinks fit, holding a public local inquiry, make such an order in the matter as he thinks just.

(6) Where—

(a) the NRA has acted on a resolution by virtue of subsection (3) above; and

(b) an appeal is brought in respect of the resolution,

the relevant Minister shall by his order direct such adjustment to be made in respect of any sums paid in pursuance of the resolution as may be necessary for giving effect to his decision.

(7) Where the relevant Minister makes an order under this section, he shall lay before Parliament particulars of the matter in respect of which the appeal was made and of the reasons for his order.

(8) Compliance with any order made by the relevant Minister under this section may be enforced by mandamus.

58 Allocation of NRA revenue for its functions as an internal drainage board

(1) Where the NRA is the drainage board for an internal drainage district (whether by virtue of section 3 or 4 above), it may by resolution specify an amount as corresponding to the amount of any contribution which, if it were not the drainage board for that district, it would—

(a) make to that drainage board under section 57 above; or

(b) require from that board under section 139 of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (contributions from internal drainage boards to NRA expenses).

(2) Where any amount is specified under subsection (1) above, then, according as that amount is specified by virtue of paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection—

(a) expenses incurred by the NRA as the drainage board for the internal drainage district in question shall, to the extent of that amount, be defrayed out of revenue received by it otherwise than as that board; or

(b) expenses incurred by the NRA as such shall be defrayed out of sums received by it as that board.

(3) The NRA shall publish any resolution under this section in one or more newspapers circulating in the internal drainage district in question.

(4) Where a sufficient number of qualified persons or the council of any county or London borough are aggrieved—

(a) by a resolution of the NRA under this section;

(b) whether on the ground that it is too small or on the ground that it is too large, by the amount specified in such a resolution; or

(c) by the failure of the NRA to pass such a resolution,

they may appeal to the relevant Minister.

(5) An appeal under subsection (4) above, other than an appeal on the ground that the NRA has failed to pass a resolution under this section, must be made within six weeks after the date on which the NRA published the resolution in respect of which it is made.

(6) On an appeal under subsection (4) above the relevant Minister may, after considering any objections made to him, make such an order in the matter as he thinks just.

(7) An order under subsection (6) above shall be treated as an order on an appeal under section 57(5) above or, as the case may require, under section 140 of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (appeals with respect to resolutions requiring contributions from internal drainage boards).

59 Grants to drainage bodies

(1) The appropriate Minister may make grants towards expenditure incurred by internal drainage boards or by other drainage bodies (except the NRA) in the exercise of their functions in carrying out drainage schemes.

(2) Grants under subsection (1) above shall be of such amounts and subject to such conditions as may be approved by the Treasury.

(3) Where a drainage body are about to incur in respect of any work expenditure which, if the work is properly carried out, a grant will be payable under subsection (1) above, the appropriate Minister may, with the approval of the Treasury, make advances to that body on account of the expenditure.

(4) The appropriate Minister may, with the approval of the Treasury, make grants to drainage bodies in respect of expenditure properly incurred by them with a view to carrying out drainage works, being expenditure towards which, if the works had been properly carried out, a grant would have been payable under subsection (1) above.

(5) Where a drainage body are about to incur expenditure in respect of which it appears to the appropriate Minister that a grant will be payable under subsection (4) above, he may, with the approval of the Treasury, make advances to the body on account of the expenditure.

(6) The appropriate Minister may, with the approval of the Treasury, make grants to an internal drainage board or a local authority in respect of the cost of any works carried out by the board or authority in pursuance of section 20 above; and the reference to expense in that section shall be construed as excluding the amount of any grant paid under this subsection in respect of the works in question.

(7) The appropriate Minister may, with the approval of the Treasury, make to an internal drainage board grants in respect of expenditure incurred by the board, and advances on account of expenditure to be incurred by the board, in carrying out works for the rebuilding or repair of any bridge maintained by the board, other than works appearing to the appropriate Minister to be maintenance works of a routine kind.

(8) In this section “the appropriate Minister”—

(a) in relation to England, means the Minister; and

(b) in relation to Wales, means the Secretary of State.

60 Power of local authority to contribute to expenses of drainage works

(1) A local authority may contribute, or undertake to contribute, to the expenses of the carrying out or maintenance of any drainage works by a drainage body such an amount as, having regard to the public benefit to be derived therefrom, appears to the local authority to be proper.

(2) Without prejudice to section 55(2) above, the making of contributions under this section shall be a purpose for which a local authority may borrow.

(2) References in this section to a local authority include references to the Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple and to the Under Treasurer of the Middle Temple.

61 Land drainage expenses of local authorities

(1) Subject to any express provision to the contrary contained in this Act or in Chapter II of Part VI of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991, the expenses of the council of a metropolitan district or London borough under this Act or the flood defence provisions of that Act shall be defrayed as general expenses or, if and so far as the council think fit, as special expenses charged on such parts of the metropolitan district or, as the case may be, borough as the council think fit.

(2) The reference in subsection (1) above to the flood defence provisions of the Water Resources Act 1991 shall have the same meaning as is given, by virtue of section 221(1) of that Act, to any such reference in that Act.

Part V Miscellaneous and Supplemental

Powers to acquire and dispose of land

62 Powers of internal drainage boards and local authorities to acquire land

(1) An internal drainage board may, for any purpose in connection with the performance of any of their functions—

(a) acquire land inside or outside their district by agreement; or

(b) if authorised by the relevant Minister, acquire any such land compulsorily.

(2) The exercise of the powers conferred on local authorities by sections 14 to 17 above and section 66 below shall be included in the purposes for which the council of any district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London may be authorised by the Secretary of State to purchase land compulsorily; and subsections (1) and (3) of section 16 above shall apply in relation to the powers conferred by this subsection as they apply in relation to the powers conferred by section 14 above.

(3) The [1981 c. 67.] Acquisition of Land Act 1981 shall apply in relation to the compulsory acquisition of land in pursuance of subsection (1) or (2) above.

(4) An internal drainage board may exercise the powers conferred by subsection (1) above so as to acquire interests in or rights over land by way of securing the creation of new interests or rights in their favour (as well as by acquiring interests or rights already in existence).

(5) Where an internal drainage board exercise their powers under this section so as to acquire compulsorily an interest in or right over land by way of securing compulsorily the creation in their favour of a new interest or right—

(a) the enactments relating to compensation for the compulsory purchase of land shall, in their application to such acquisition, have effect with the necessary modifications; and

(b) the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 and the [1965 c. 56.] Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 shall, in their application to such compulsory acquisition, have effect with such modifications as may be prescribed.

(6) Where an internal drainage board propose to acquire by agreement any land belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster—

(a) the Chancellor and Council of that Duchy may sell the land to the board; and

(b) the land may be granted to them, and the proceeds of sale shall be paid and dealt with, as if the land had been sold under the authority of the [1855 c. 58.] Duchy of Lancaster Lands Act 1855.

63 Power of internal drainage boards to dispose of land

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, an internal drainage board may dispose of land held by them in any manner they wish.

(2) Except with the consent of the relevant Minister, an internal drainage board shall not dispose of land under this section, otherwise than by way of a short tenancy, for a consideration less than the best that can reasonably be obtained.

(3) Except with the consent of the relevant Minister, an internal drainage board shall not dispose under this section, otherwise than by way of a short tenancy, of land which has been acquired by them (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) either—

(a) compulsorily; or

(b) at a time when they were authorised to acquire it compulsorily, by agreement.

(4) For the purposes of this section a disposal of land is a disposal by way of a short tenancy if it consists of—

(a) the grant of a term not exceeding seven years; or

(b) the assignment of a term which at the date of the assignment has not more than seven years to run.

64 Powers of entry for internal drainage boards and local authorities

(1) Any person authorised by an internal drainage board or local authority, after producing (if so required) a duly authenticated document showing his authority, may at all reasonable times—

(a) enter any land for the purpose of exercising any functions of the board or, as the case may be, any functions under this Act of that authority;

(b) without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, enter and survey any land (including the interior of any mill through which water passes or in connection with which water is impounded) and take levels of the land and inspect the condition of any drainage work on it; and

(c) inspect and take copies of any Acts of Parliament, awards or other documents which—

(i) are in the possession of any internal drainage board, local authority or navigation authority;

(ii) relate to the drainage of land; and

(iii) confer any powers or impose any duties on that board or authority.

(2) A person entitled under this section to enter any land—

(a) may take with him such other persons and such equipment as may be necessary; and

(b) if the land is unoccupied, shall, on leaving it, leave it as effectually secured against trespassers as he found it.

(3) Except in an emergency, admission to any land shall not be demanded as of right under this section, unless notice of the intended entry—

(a) has been given to the occupier; and

(b) if the land is used for residential purposes or the demand is for admission with heavy equipment, has been given not less than seven days before the demand is made.

(4) Where injury is sustained by any person by reason of the exercise by an internal drainage board or local authority of any of their powers under this section, the board or authority shall be liable to make full compensation to the injured person.

(5) In case of dispute, the amount of the compensation payable under subsection (4) above shall be determined by the Lands Tribunal.

(6) If any person intentionally obstructs or impedes any person exercising a power conferred by this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(7) This section shall not apply in relation to land belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown or the Duchy of Lancaster, in relation to land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall or in relation to land belonging to a government department.

(8) This section shall be without prejudice to any other enactment conferring powers of entry.

Subordinate legislation

65 Land drainage regulations

(1) Each of the Ministers shall have power to make regulations—

(a) for the purpose of prescribing anything which may be prescribed under this Act (other than under section 74 below); and

(b) generally for the purpose of carrying this Act into effect.

(2) The power to make regulations under this section or any other provision of this Act shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

66 Powers to make byelaws

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section and to any other enactment contained in this Act or the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991, an internal drainage board or a local authority, except (subject to subsection (8) below) a county council, may make such byelaws as they consider necessary for securing the efficient working of the drainage system in their district or area.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above but subject as aforesaid, an internal drainage board or local authority, other than a county council, may, in particular, make byelaws for any of the following purposes, that is to say—

(a) regulating the use and preventing the improper use of any watercourses, banks or works vested in them or under their control or for preserving any such watercourses, banks or works from damage or destruction;

(b) regulating the opening of sluices and flood gates in connection with any such works as are mentioned in paragraph (a) above;

(c) preventing the obstruction of any watercourse vested in them or under their control by the discharge into it of any liquid or solid matter or by reason of any such matter being allowed to flow or fall into it;

(d) compelling the persons having control of any watercourse vested in the board or local authority or under their control, or of any watercourse flowing into any such watercourse, to cut the vegetable growths in or on the bank of the watercourse and, when cut, to remove them.

(3) The powers conferred by subsections (1) and (2) above—

(a) shall not be exercisable by an internal drainage board in connection with a main river, the banks of such a river or any drainage works in connection with such a river; and

(b) shall be exercisable by a local authority only so far as may be necessary for the purpose of preventing flooding or remedying or mitigating any damage caused by flooding.

(4) No byelaw for any purpose specified in subsection (2)(a) above shall be valid if it would prevent reasonable facilities being afforded for enabling a watercourse to be used by stock for drinking purposes.

(5) Byelaws made under this section shall not be valid until they are confirmed—

(a) in the case of byelaws made by an internal drainage board, by the relevant Minister;

(b) in the case of byelaws made by a local authority, in relation to any area of England, by the Minister; and

(c) in the case of byelaws made by a local authority in relation to any area of Wales, by the Secretary of State.

and Schedule 5 to this Act and section 236 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (procedure for byelaws) shall have effect, respectively, in relation to byelaws made under this section by an internal drainage board and in relation to byelaws made under this section by a local authority.

(6) If any person acts in contravention of, or fails to comply with, any byelaw made under this section he shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction—

(a) to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale; and

(b) if the contravention or failure is continued after conviction, to a further fine not exceeding £40 for every day on which the contravention or failure is so continued.

(7) If any person acts in contravention of, or fails to comply with, any byelaw made under this section by an internal drainage board or local authority, the board or authority may, without prejudice to any proceedings under subsection (6) above—

(a) take such action as may be necessary to remedy the effect of the contravention or failure; and

(b) recover the expenses reasonably incurred by them in doing so from the person in default.

(8) For the purposes of this section—

(a) subsections (1) and (3) of section 16 above shall apply in relation to the powers conferred by this section as they apply in relation to the powers conferred by section 14 above; and

(b) section 17 above shall apply in relation to the carrying out by a local authority of any drainage works authorised by subsection (7) above as it applies in relation to the carrying out of any drainage works authorised by section 14(1) above;

but nothing in this section shall authorise the carrying out of any works in connection with a main river.

(9) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, no byelaw made by an internal drainage board or local authority under this section shall conflict with or interfere with the operation of any byelaw made by a navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority.

Protective provisions

67 Protection for particular undertakings and savings in respect of works

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, Schedule 6 to this Act shall have effect for the protection of particular undertakings in connection with the carrying out of works and other activities under this Act.

(2) Schedule 6 to this Act shall not apply in relation to the carrying out of works under this Act by the NRA; but sections 179 and 183 of, and Schedule 22 to, the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (protective provisions for flood defence works and for certain undertakings) shall apply in relation to the carrying out of works under this Act by the NRA as they apply in relation to the carrying out of works by the NRA under the flood defence provisions of that Act.

(3) Nothing in this Act shall authorise any person to carry out any works or do anything in contravention of any of the provisions of the [1979 c. 46.] Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

(4) In the exercise of the powers conferred by this Act due regard shall be had to the interests of fisheries, including sea fisheries.

(5) Nothing in this Act shall prejudice or affect the provisions of Part V of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (fisheries functions of the NRA) or of the [1975 c. 51.] Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 or any right, power or duty conferred or imposed by those provisions.

(6) The reference in subsection (2) above to the flood defence provisions of the Water Resources Act 1991 shall have the same meaning as is given, by virtue of section 221(1) of that Act, to any such reference in that Act.

(7) Without prejudice to paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the [1991 c. 60.] Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991, any provisions for the protection of any authorities or persons contained in any local Act, so far as by virtue of section 114(2) of the [1976 c. 70.] Land Drainage Act 1976 (protection under local Acts) they applied immediately before the commencement of this Act in relation to the exercise by any internal drainage board or local authority of powers under any enactment re-enacted by this Act, shall apply to the like extent in relation to the exercise by that board or authority of powers under the corresponding provisions of this Act.

(8) Nothing in this Act shall affect any powers of an internal drainage board under any local Act so far as they existed immediately before the commencement of this Act.

68 Power of navigation authorities etc to divert sewers

(1) Where any watercourses under the control of an internal drainage board pass under or interfere with, or with the improvement or alteration of, any river, canal, dock, harbour, basin or other work (including any towing-path adjacent thereto) which belongs to or is under the jurisdiction of any relevant authority, the relevant authority may, at their own expense and on substituting for those watercourses other equally effective watercourses—

(a) take up, divert or alter the level of those watercourses; and

(b) do all such matters and things as may be necessary in connection with the works authorised to be done by them under this section.

(2) If any question arises under this section between any internal drainage board and any relevant authority as to whether any watercourses substituted or proposed to be substituted by the relevant authority for any existing watercourses are as effective as the existing watercourses, that question shall be referred to a single arbitrator to be agreed between the parties or, failing such agreement, to be appointed by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers on the application of either party.

(3) In this section “relevant authority” means any navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority.

Information provisions

69 Power to hold inquiries for land drainage purposes etc

(1) Each of the Ministers shall have power to cause such inquiries to be held as he considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of this Act.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, the person appointed to hold any inquiry under subsection (1) above or otherwise under this Act may for the purposes of the inquiry—

(a) by summons require any person to attend, at a time and place stated in the summons, to give evidence or to produce any documents in his custody or under his control relating to any matter in question at the inquiry; and

(b) take evidence on oath and for that purpose administer oaths.

(3) No person shall be required, in obedience to a summons under this section, to attend to give evidence or to produce any documents, unless the necessary expenses of his attendance are paid or tendered to him; and nothing in this section shall empower a person holding an inquiry to require the production of the title, or of any instrument relating to the title, of any land which is not the property of a local authority.

(4) Any person who—

(a) refuses or deliberately fails to attend in obedience to a summons under this section, or to give evidence; or

(b) deliberately alters, suppresses, conceals, destroys, or refuses to produce any book or other document which he is required or is liable to be required to produce for the purposes of this section,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or to both.

(5) Where either of the Ministers causes an inquiry to be held under this Act—

(a) the costs incurred by him in relation to the inquiry shall be paid by such authority or party to the inquiry as he may direct; and

(b) the Minister in question may cause the amount of the costs so incurred to be certified;

and any amount so certified and directed to be paid by any authority or person shall be recoverable from that authority or person by that Minister summarily as a civil debt.

(6) Where either of the Ministers causes an inquiry to be held under this section—

(a) he may make orders as to the costs of the parties at the inquiry and as to the parties by whom the costs are to be paid; and

(b) every such order may be made a rule of the High Court on the application of any party named in the order.

(7) Section 42 of the [1986 c. 63.] Housing and Planning Act 1986 (recovery of Minister’s costs in connection with inquiries) shall apply where either of the Ministers is authorised by virtue of subsection (5) above to recover costs incurred by him in relation to an inquiry as it applies where a Minister is so authorised by virtue of an enactment specified in subsection (1) of that section.

70 Confidentiality of information obtained by NRA etc

Section 204 of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (confidentiality of information) shall have effect in relation to information obtained by virtue of the provisions of this Act so far as they relate to functions exercisable by or in relation to the NRA as it has effect in relation to the information obtained as mentioned in that section.

Construction of Act

71 Service of documents

(1) A notice required or authorised to be served under or by virtue of this Act by any person shall be in writing.

(2) Any document required or authorised by virtue of this Act to be served on any person may be served—

(a) by delivering it to him or by leaving it at his proper address or by sending it by post to him at that address; or

(b) if the person is a body corporate, by serving it in accordance with paragraph (a) above on the secretary or clerk of that body; or

(c) if the person is a partnership, by serving it in accordance with paragraph (a) above on a partner or a person having the control of management of the partnership business.

(3) For the purposes of this section and section 7 of the [1978 c. 30.] Interpretation Act 1978 (which relates to the service of documents by post) in its application to this section, the proper address of any person on whom a document is to be served shall be his last known address, except that—

(a) in the case of service on a body corporate or its secretary or clerk, it shall be the address of the registered or principal office of the body;

(b) in the case of service on a partnership or a partner or a person having the control or management of a partnership business, it shall be the principal office of the partnership;

and for the purposes of this subsection the principal office of a company registered outside the United Kingdom or of a partnership carrying on business outside the United Kingdom is its principal office within the United Kingdom.

(4) If a person to be served by virtue of this Act with any document by another has specified to that other an address within the United Kingdom other than his proper address (as determined in pursuance of subsection (3) above) as the one at which he or someone on his behalf will accept documents of the same description as that document, that address shall also be treated as his proper address for the purposes of this section and for the purposes of the said section 7 in its application to this section.

(5) Where under any provision of this Act any document is required to be served on the owner, on a lessee or on the occupier of any premises then—

(a) if the name or address of the owner, of the lessee or, as the case may be, of the occupier of the premises cannot after reasonable inquiry be ascertained; or

(b) in the case of service on the occupier, if the premises appear to be or are unoccupied,

that document may be served either by leaving it in the hands of a person who is or appears to be resident or employed on the land or by leaving it conspicuously affixed to some building or object on the land.

(6) This section shall not apply to any document in relation to the service of which provision is made by rules of court.

72 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

• “agricultural buildings” has the meaning provided by paragraphs 2 to 8 of Schedule 5 to the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988;

• “agricultural land” has the meaning provided by paragraphs 2 and 4 to 8 of that Schedule;

• “banks” means banks, walls or embankments adjoining or confining, or constructed for the purposes of or in connection with, any channel or sea front, and includes all land between the bank and low-watermark;

• “chargeable property” means a hereditament comprising agricultural land or agricultural buildings in respect of which drainage rates may be assessed under Chapter II of Part IV of this Act;

• “charging authority” has the same meaning as in the Local Government Finance Act 1988;

• “conservancy authority” means any person who has a duty or power under any enactment to conserve, maintain or improve the navigation of a tidal water and is not a navigation authority or a harbour authority within the meaning of the [1971 c. 60.] Prevention of Oil Pollution Act 1971;

• “drainage” includes defence against water (including sea water), irrigation, other than spray irrigation, and warping;

• “drainage body” means the NRA, an internal drainage board or any other body having power to make or maintain works for the drainage of land;

• “financial year” means the twelve months ending with 31st March;

• “harbour” and “harbour authority” have the same meanings as in the [1894 c. 60.] Merchant Shipping Act 1894;

• “land” includes water and any interests in land or water and any easement or right in, to or over land or water;

• “local authority” means the council of a county, district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London;

• “main river” has the same meaning as in the [1991 c. 56.] Water Resources Act 1991;

• “the Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;

• “the Ministers” means the Minister and the Secretary of State, and in relation to anything which falls to be done by the Ministers, means those Ministers acting jointly;

• “the NRA” means the National Rivers Authority;

• “navigation authority” means any person who has a duty or power under any enactment to work, maintain, conserve, improve or control any canal or other inland navigation, navigable river, estuary, harbour or dock;

• “ordinary watercourse” means a watercourse that does not form part of a main river;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under section 65 above;

• “qualified authority”, in relation to an internal drainage district, means a charging authority for an area wholly or partly included in that district;

• “qualified persons” shall be construed in accordance with subsection (2) below;

• “the relevant Minister”—

  (a)

  in relation to internal drainage districts which are neither wholly nor partly in Wales or to the boards for such districts, means the Minister;

  (b)

  in relation to internal drainage districts which are partly in Wales or to the boards for such districts, means the Ministers; and

  (c)

  in relation to internal drainage districts which are wholly in Wales or to the boards for such districts, means the Secretary of State;

• “watercourse” includes all rivers and streams and all ditches, drains, cuts, culverts, dikes, sluices, sewers (other than public sewers within the meaning of the [1991 c. 60.] Water Industry Act 1991) and passages, through which water flows.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph 19 of Schedule 2 to the [1991 c. 57.] Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991 (which makes provision with respect to qualification under this subsection by reference to drainage rates levied on land in respect of years beginning before 1993), where any provision of this Act refers, in relation to an internal drainage district, to the making of any appeal or petition by a sufficient number of qualified persons—

(a) the persons who are qualified are the occupiers of any land in the district in respect of which a drainage rate is levied; and

(b) subject to subsection (3) below, their number shall be sufficient if (but only if)—

(i) they are not less than forty; or

(ii) they are not less than one-fifth of the number of persons who are qualified to make the petition or appeal; or

(iii) the assessable value for the purposes of the last drainage rate levied in the district of all the land in respect of which they are qualified persons is not less than one-fifth of the assessable value of all the land in respect of which that rate was levied.

(3) In relation to a district divided into sub-districts the persons qualified to make a petition under section 39 above as being the occupiers of land in one of the sub-districts shall also be sufficient in any case where the condition in subsection (2)(b)(ii) or (iii) above would be satisfied if the sub-district were an internal drainage district.

(4) The references to the assessable value of any land in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) above are references to the amount which for the purposes of the drainage rate mentioned in that paragraph would be the annual value of the land.

(5) References in this Act to the carrying out of drainage works include references to the improvement of drainage works.

(6) Nothing in this Act shall operate to release any person from an obligation to which section 21 above applies; and the functions of the NRA or any internal drainage board as respects the doing of any work under this Act are not to be treated as in any way limited by the fact that some other person is under an obligation, by reason of tenure, custom, prescription or otherwise, to do that work.

(7) Where by virtue of any provision of this Act any function of a Minister of the Crown is exercisable concurrently by different Ministers, that function shall also be exercisable jointly by any two or more of those Ministers.

(8) This Act so far as it confers any powers on the NRA shall have effect subject to the provisions of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991.

(9) The powers conferred by this Act on the Common Council of the City of London shall be exercisable as respects that City.

(10) Sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the [1991 c. 60.] Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991 has effect (by virtue of sub-paragraph (2)(b) of that paragraph) so that references in this Act to things done under or for the purposes of provisions of this Act or the Water Resources Act 1991 include references to things done, or treated as done, under or for the purposes of the corresponding provisions of the law in force before the commencement of this Act.

73 Disputes as to whether works connected with main river

(1) If any question arises under this Act—

(a) whether any work is a drainage work in connection with a main river; or

(b) whether any proposed work will, if constructed, be such a drainage work,

the question shall be referred to one of the Ministers for decision or, if either of the parties so requires, to arbitration.

(2) Where any question is required under subsection (1) above to be referred to arbitration it shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator appointed—

(a) by agreement between the parties; or

(b) in default of agreement, by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers on the application of either party.

Other supplemental provisions

74 Application to Crown

(1) Subject as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, this Act shall apply to land belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown or the Duchy of Lancaster, to land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall and to land belonging to a government department.

(2) For the purposes of this Act the following shall be deemed to be the owner of land to which this section applies by virtue of this section, that is to say—

(a) in the case of land belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown, the Crown Estate Commissioners or the Secretary of State, according as the land is under the management of those Commissioners or the Secretary of State;

(b) in the case of land belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor of the Duchy; and

(c) in the case of land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall, such person as the Duke of Cornwall or the possessor for the time being of the Duchy of Cornwall appoints.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) above but subject to subsection (4) below, nothing in this Act shall—

(a) authorise the compulsory acquisition of any land belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown or the Duchy of Lancaster, or of any land belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall or a government department;

(b) operate as a grant—

(i) by or on behalf of Her Majesty as owner (whether in right of the Crown or of the Duchy of Lancaster) of any tidal lands; or

(ii) by or on behalf of the Duchy of Cornwall as owner of any such lands,

of any estate or interest in or right over any of those lands or any part of them; or

(c) authorise any person to do any work on, over or under, or to use for any purpose, any tidal lands or any lands belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown or of the Duchy of Lancaster, to the Duchy of Cornwall, or to any government department, except—

(i) with the consent of the owner of the land or, in the case of tidal lands, of the owner of the land and of the Secretary of State; and

(ii) in accordance with the approved plans and sections and subject to the prescribed restrictions and conditions;

or

(d) confer any power of levying drainage rates in respect of tidal lands.

(4) Nothing in subsection (3)(c) above shall apply to work done in maintaining existing works on tidal lands, or on land not in occupation of Her Majesty, the Duke of Cornwall or a government department.

(5) Section 222 of the [1991 c. 57.] Water Resources Act 1991 (Crown application) shall have effect in relation to the provisions of this Act so far as they confer powers on the NRA as it applies in relation to the provisions of that Act.

(6) In this section—

• “tidal lands” means lands below the high-water mark of ordinary spring tides but, for the purposes of subsection (3)(c) above, does not include any lands which are protected, by means of walls, embankments or otherwise, from the incursion of the tides; and

• “approved” and “prescribed” mean, respectively, approved and prescribed by the Secretary of State or, as the case may be, the owner of the lands, before the commencement of the work in question.

75 Application to Isles of Scilly

(1) Subject to the provisions of any order under this section, nothing in this Act shall require or authorise any function, duty or power to be carried out, performed or exercised in relation to the Isles of Scilly by the NRA.

(2) The Secretary of State may, on the application of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, by order make provision with respect to the carrying out in those Isles of functions falling under this Act to be carried out in relation to other parts of England and Wales by the NRA.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by subsection (2) above, an order under this section may apply any provision of this Act, of the [1991 c. 60.] Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991 or of the [1989 c. 15.] Water Act 1989 in relation to the Isles of Scilly with or without modifications.)

(4) The power of the Secretary of State to make an order under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5) An order under this section may—

(a) make different provision for different cases, including different provision in relation to different persons, circumstances or localities; and

(b) contain such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, including provision saving provision repealed by or under any enactment.

76 Short title, commencement and extent

(1) This Act may be cited as the Land Drainage Act 1991.

(2) This Act shall come into force on 1st December 1991.

(3) This Act extends to England and Wales only.