Consultations

Ofgem: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and Ofgem have announced a final opportunity to comment (by 6 May 2009) on the new regulatory framework to connect offshore renewable projects to the onshore grid.  The regime will ensure offshore cable connections are delivered on time and at reasonable cost to maintain an effective and secure grid.  Tenders for the new regime are due to be launched in the summer.
Press release ~ Consultation
 
MoJ: A national debate has been launched to explore whether a clearer common understanding of our rights & responsibilities might be built by articulating them in a single text - a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. A Green Paper - Rights and Responsibilities: developing our constitutional framework - lists some of the responsibilities we have and asks if some should be explicitly stated in a single document, including:
* Obeying the law, reporting crimes and co-operating with prosecution agencies
* Paying taxes
* Participating in civic society through voting & jury service
* Treating NHS & other public sector staff with respect
* Safeguarding & promoting the wellbeing of children in our care
* Living within our environmental limits
Press release ~ Green Paper - Rights and Responsibilities: developing our constitutional framework ~ Deate the issues on the People, Power and Politics website
 
MoJ: Confidence for consumers of legal services is the aim behind the Legal Services Board (LSB)’s consultation on regulatory independence. The separation of regulation from representation was a key plank of the reforms made possible by the Legal Services Act 2007.  The LSB was created in large degree to address lack of trust in the current regulatory framework identified by the Clementi Review, the White Paper and the Parliamentary debates on Bill prior to enactment.
 
The consultation paper sets out proposals for rules that would require the separation of regulatory work from any representative work within the 8 approved regulators designated under statute.  It also deals with rules necessary to approve the level of practising fees - charged by the approved regulators and paid by lawyers as a condition of being authorised to practise.
 
The consultation exercise will run until 26 June 2009.  Following the consultation, it is envisaged that rules will be made in the autumn, coming into force early in 2010.
Press release ~ Consultation on regulatory independence ~ Legal Services Board ~ Legal Services Act 2007 ~ Clementi Review
 
Defra: Horse owners could benefit from cheaper insurance premiums under plans to clarify owners' liability. The proposals, published for consultation (closes on 19 June 2009), would amend the Animals Act 1971; section 2(2(b) to clarify owners' liability should their animals cause damage.
 
The law in its current form lacks clarity and means that animal keepers face the prospect of being held strictly liable for damage or injury regardless of any actions they may have taken to prevent an incident from occurring. 
The amendment would introduce new & clearer criteria for the application of strict, no fault, liability in cases where the accidents could not have been predicted.
Press release ~ Changes to the Animals Act 1971 to clarify the application of strict liability to the keepers of animals ~ Mirvahedy v Henley (2003) ~ Animals Act 1971 amendment impact assessment ~ Animals Act 1971 (Amendment) Bill - 2nd Reading Brief - 14 March 2008
 
Defra: A consultation (closes on 19 June 2009) on the seed certification rates for 2009/10 has been published by Defra which is seeking the views of all applicants for seed certification in England & Wales on the proposed 5% increase in fees.  Revised fee rates would then be implemented from 6 July 2009.
 
Without an increase in fees, Defra will no longer be able to operate the system at its current level, which could lead to a reduction in the standard of seed marketed in the UK and ultimately impact on farmers. The 5% increase will ensure Defra fulfils its legislative duty to recover all seed certification costs after a shortfall in revenue in the 2007/2008 financial year.
Press release ~ Consultation on Seed Certification Fee increase England and Wales
 
Ofgem: Ofgem has demanded significant improvements from energy suppliers in the way they manage monthly direct debit payments and is consulting (closes 8 May 2009) on the need for changes to supply licences to secure improvements.
 
Ofgem’s action results from a review the regulator has conducted into the direct debit arrangements of the six major energy suppliers, following complaints by customers late last year about significant increases in amounts they were being asked to pay. 
 
The review found no evidence that suppliers were over-recovering, or of systematic errors in the payments they are requesting.  But Ofgem has criticised a lack of transparency and poor communication by suppliers which has left customers struggling to understand why they are being asked to pay more, especially when they may already be well in credit on their account.  The regulator is also concerned about refund policies.
Press release ~ Ofgem’s report / consultation on direct debit arrangements
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