EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM TO

 

THE SMOKE CONTROL AREAS (EXEMPTED FIREPLACES)

(WALES) ORDER 2015

 

 

This Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared by the Department for Natural Resources and is laid before the National Assembly for Wales in conjunction with the above subordinate legislation and in accordance with Standing Order 27.1.

 

Minister’s Declaration

 

In my view, this Explanatory Memorandum gives a fair and reasonable view of the expected impact of the Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (Wales) Order 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carl Sargeant

 

Minister for Natural Resources

 

8 July 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i) Description

 

This Order revokes and replaces with amendments the Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (Wales) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/694) (W.75).

 

This Order allows the use (subject to strict conditions) of a number of boilers and stoves capable of smokeless operation within smoke control areas. These fireplaces do not burn the fuels generally authorised for use in such areas, and consequently have been assessed and are considered to be capable of meeting, or have met, the requirements of BS PD 6434.

 

(ii) Matters of special interest to the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee

 

None

 

(iii) Legislative Background

 

The power enabling this Instrument to be made is contained in section 21 of the Clean Air Act 1993. 

 

This power was originally conferred on the Secretary of State but was, so far as exercisable in relation to Wales, transferred to the National Assembly for Wales by virtue of article 2 of, and Schedule 1 to, the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999. This power is now exercisable by the Welsh Ministers by virtue of section 162 of, and paragraph 30 of Schedule 11 to, the Government of Wales Act 2006.

 

This Statutory Instrument is subject to the negative resolution procedure.

 

(iv) Purpose and intended effect of the legislation

 

Section 18 of the Clean Air Act 1993 enables local authorities to declare the whole or part of their area as a smoke control area by making a "smoke control order".  In Wales there are currently four partial smoke control areas in Flintshire, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham.  Section 20 of the Act places a general prohibition on the emission of smoke in smoke control areas.

 

However, anyone burning fuel in a smoke control area can avoid contravention of the Act by either using an authorised fuel (not relevant here), or by using an “exempted fireplace”. “Fireplace” is defined in section 64 of the Clean Air Act 1993 as including any open or closed stoves or furnaces as well as grates. Section 21 of the Act enables exemptions to be made, by order, of classes of fireplaces from the prohibition of smoke emissions if they are capable of burning fuels without producing any smoke or substantial quantities of smoke.  

 

It follows from this that a person using an exempted fireplace can be confident (so long as they comply with any conditions imposed by the Order) that they will not contravene the Clean Air Act 1993.  The power to exempt is devolved to the Welsh Ministers.

 

Following the specified tests by the Welsh Government's preferred testing centre, Ricardo AEA, it is proposed to add the fireplaces listed in the draft Order at doc.2 to those which are already exempted.

 

(v) Consultation

 

It was not deemed necessary to consult as the Order will not amend the regime of smoke control within Wales, but will ensure the regime is brought up to date by adding further classes of appliances to those which are already exempted for use in smoke control areas.  In addition, the Order will not affect policy relating to air quality control. Those appliances proposed for exemption in this Order have been subject to a detailed and quantitative emissions testing protocol.

 

(vi) Implementation

 

If the Welsh Ministers were not to exempt approved appliances from the provisions of section 20 of the Clean Air Act 1993 within a reasonable time, then there is a risk that manufacturers will in practice be unable to market and sell their products effectively within smoke control areas in Wales.

 

(vii) Regulatory Impact Assessment

 

The proposed legislation imposes no costs on the public, private, charities or voluntary sector, therefore no RIA is deemed necessary.