Local Authority Environmental Regulation Of Industrial Plant: 2003/04 Fees And Charges

On 22nd October 2002, The Department consulted affected industries and local authority associations as part of the annual review of the local authority charging schemes. This consultation lasted just over ten weeks and closed on 3rd January 2003. Summaries of responses are now available as follows:

• Summary of responses (Adobe Acrobat format, 25kb)
• Edited response from Local Government Association (Adobe Acrobat format, 25kb)

More information about the levels of fees and charges for LAPC/LA-IPPC/LAPPC FOR 2003/04 that have now been established can be found on this page of the Defra website.

Copies of responses are deposited in the Defra library. The Defra Library is at Room 320, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR (Tel: 020 7238 6575; Email defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk) and will supply copies of responses on request to personal callers or telephone enquirers. To avoid delays personal callers should give the library 24 hours' notice of their requirements. An administrative charge to cover the cost of photocopying and postage will apply.

For any further information please contact Alessandra Scoleri, Zone 5/B2, Ashdown House, 123, Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE
Tel: 020 7944 5457/ Fax: 020 7944 6169
E-mail: eir@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Further information is available on our Help page about downloading or reading Adobe Acrobat documents.

The following material has been left in place for reference/archive purposes.

The Department is consulting on the 2003/04 levels of air fees and charges under Local Air Pollution Control (LAPC), Local Air Pollution Prevention and Control (LAPPC) and Local Air-Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (LA-IPPC). This consultation relates to the LAPC fees and charges in England and the LAPPC/LA-IPPC fees and charges in England and Wales. The National Assembly for Wales will be consulting separately on LAPC fees and charges, which may have a knock on effect with regard to LAPPC and LA-IPPC.

It is the practice of Defra to consult affected industries and local authority associations as part of the annual review of the local authority charging schemes. In summary, it is proposed that there should be no increase in the level of fees and charges for LAPC/LAPPC apart from the possibility of a very small increase to cover the cost of producing the guidance notes. It is further proposed that the LAPC levels of fees and charges should apply under LAPPC, although consultees are invited to put forward views on what the level of surrender and transfer fees should be under LAPPC. The LA-IPPC surrender and transfer fees are currently set at 30% of the application charge: however the LAPPC surrender provisions are less complex than those for LA-IPPC.

As regards LA-IPPC, this consultation invites the local authority side to provide argument and information to justify a view expressed that the LA-IPPC levels are currently inadequate. Any changes to the water discharge element to the LA-IPPC charges will be addressed when the Environment Agency consults on its charging scheme.

Following the consultation earlier this year on risk-based regulation for LAPC, the Department hopes to announce its intentions in the near future. As previously made clear, linking this approach to the LAPC charging scheme will require a change in the primary legislation.

The consultation letter is available, in Adobe Acrobat format (25kb), for downloading and printing.

In order that the charging schemes for 2003/04 can be finalised as soon as possible before 1 April 2003, responses should be emailed to control.pollution@defra.gsi.gov.uk, quoting "Fees and Charges consultation" in the subject line, by Friday 3^rd January 2003. Responses can also be sent by post to the following address:

Fees and Charges consultation
AEQ 5
Defra
4/G10 Ashdown House
123 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6DE

In line with the requirement of freedom of information, responses will be made publicly available, unless it is explicitly requested that it should not, providing an explanation for that request at the beginning of the response. All responses will be included in any non-attributable statistical or other summary of the results.

In accordance with the Cabinet Office Consultation Code, for matters relating to the consultation procedure itself, a consultation co-ordinator has been appointed. The co-ordinator is Lewis Baker and his contact details are lewis.baker@defra.gsi.gov.uk . Further details of the consultation guidelines are available on the Cabinet Office website at: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/servicefirst/2000/consult/code/content.htm

For any questions about this consultation please contact Omar Ahmad, Policy Adviser in the Air and Environment Quality Unit at Defra at the above address or email.