Explanatory note

This Order delegates to the Marine Management Organisation the Secretary of State’s functions in England and Wales under sections 14, 15, 15A, 16, 18 and 60 of the Harbours Act 1964 which provide for Harbour Revision Orders, Harbour Empowerment Orders, Harbour Reorganisation Schemes and the amendment of local legislation relating to harbours.

The functions under those sections regarding harbours in Wales used wholly or mainly for fishing, agriculture, recreation and communication within Wales are already discharged by the Welsh Ministers and consequently not included in the delegation.

Applications already received for Orders concerning harbours at Bristol, the Dee Estuary, Dover, Exeter, Gosport, Grimsby, Harwich, Mostyn, Newlyn, Poole, Portland, Ryde and Sutton are not included in the delegation (article 3).

The effect the Order will have on the costs of business and the voluntary sector was considered as part of the impact assessment for the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The assessment for that Act is available on the website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at www.defra.gov.uk.

An Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared and is available alongside the instrument on the OPSI website at www.opsi.gov.uk.