reg 16 Charge for preparation, review and testing of emergency plans
(1) A local authority may charge the operator a fee for the performance of the local authority's functions in relation to the off-site emergency plan relating to that operator's premises under regulations 8, 11, 12 and 21. (2) The fee charged under paragraph (1) must not exceed the sum of the costs reasonably incurred by the local authority in performing its functions referred to in that paragraph including any costs reasonably incurred in arranging for any participants to take part in the testing of the off-site emergency plan. (3) When charging the operator a fee in accordance with paragraph (1), the local authority must provide the operator with a detailed statement of the costs incurred, and the period to which the statement relates. (4) The local authority's fee under this regulation is payable one month after the statement required under paragraph (3) has been provided, unless, within that period, the operator informs the local authority in writing that it considers that its costs are unreasonable and requests additional information from the local authority concerning its costs. (5) Additional information requested under paragraph (4) must be provided by the local authority within 28 days from the day on which it received that request, and the period for payment of the fee provided under that paragraph is extended for a further period of two months from that date. (6) A fee charged under this regulation is recoverable as a civil debt.