This is the third Commencement Order made under the Utilities Act 2000 (“the Act”).

Article 2 brings into force on 7th November 2000 those provisions of the Act listed in the Schedule to the Order for the purposes specified therein. These provisions relate principally to the functions of the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council (“the Council”) which came into being on 1st November 2000.

Article 2 commences section 4 of the Act for the purpose of requiring the Council to produce a forward work programme. The majority of the provisions in Part III of the Act are commenced. The principal exceptions are sections 24(4), 25 and 26. There are also transitional arrangements relating to the commencement of certain provisions; in particular articles 4 and 5 address section 20, articles 7 and 8 section 22 and article 9 section 23.

Article 2 also commences, with transitional arrangements provided in article 10, section 105 of the Act dealing with restrictions on the disclosure of information.

Further, certain minor, consequential and transitional provisions and repeals are commenced by article 2.