11.6 The application fees per component are different depending on whether the application is for a new process or if the process is currently regulated by HMIPI for air releases under previous legislation (reflecting the expected lower costs of dealing with plants of which HMIPI staff have previous knowledge).
11.7 However, there are the following exceptions to this basic tariff:
a. Where a process contains no defined component, a 'flat rate" fee will apply.
b. Similarly, where a process is subject to IPC only because of the quantity of special waste arising from it, a 'flat rate" fee will also apply.
The 'flat rate" fee will be equal to the charge for one component .
11.8 The Act provides that the Secretary of State may by direction transfer any individual Part B process or category of process from local authority to central control. This is a reserve power, not expected to be used frequently. In the case of such a process, the application fee payable to the enforcing authority will be at the rate payable under the local authority charge scheme.
11.9 Finally, in the case of major installations where planning, development and commissioning will spread over a number of years, applicants may, by prior arrangement with the enforcing authority, use a "staged application" procedure, under which the application and supporting information will be submitted in tranches at agreed stages in the progress of the project. In these cases the standard application fee will not apply. Instead the applicant will be charged on the basis of the actual costs attributable to the consideration of his proposals by the enforcing authority.
Subsistence Charges
11.10 The annual subsistence charge will be the relevant component fee times the number of components in the process as authorised, except in the cases described in paragraph
11.11 below. The first subsistence charge for a new authorisation will become payable from the date of its granting. The amount due will be the appropriate annual subsistence charge, adjusted pro rata. to the remaining period between the date of granting and the end of the following March. The enforcing authority will calculate the amount due and invoice the operator. The subsistence charge will then be payable each 1 April, at the rate in force at the time. The enforcing authority will again invoice the operator when the charge is due.
11.11 The rules at paragraphs 11.7-11.8 above apply also to the calculation of subsistence charges, for processes which have no specified components, are subject to IPC only because of the quantity of special waste arising, or have been transferred from local authority air pollution control.
11.12 The component costs have been estimated on the basis of the expected costs of HMIPI in acting as enforcing authority for IPC. Prior to IPC, processes which involved the release to controlled waters of pollutants may also have been subject to supervision by the relevant river purification board and, by virtue of section 7(2)(a)(ii) of the 1990 Act, appropriate conditions will now be included in authorisations. To cover the cost of the enforcement of these conditions, the invoice for the annual subsistence charge for such processes will additionally include the amount payable under the relevant RPB's charging scheme and, on payment, HMIPI will reimburse the Board as appropriate. This avoids operators receiving separate bills for IPC from the enforcing authority and from the RPB.. both relating to the same authorised process.
11.13 In cases where a process is changed in the course of a year, resulting in an increase or decrease in the number of components, the ' next subsistence charge payment will be based on the new number of components. No supplementary charge will be made for the period in progress, nor will any refund be given. No refund will be given in respect of a revoked authorisation. Substantial Variation Fee
11.14 As explained in Chapter 8, changes to a process may arise either because the operator wishes to make a change in its design, operation, outputs or emissions; or when the enforcing authority exercises its powers to alter the terms of an authorisation, and the operation of the process has to be changed in order to meet the new terms of the authorisation. If the proposed change is substantial it must be advertised and any representations considered, as for the initial IPC application. A substantial change therefore implies extensive reconsideration of an authorisation, and the cost of this is to be recouped from the operator concerned through the substantial variation fee, rather than being spread across the generality of operators.
11.15 The substantial variation fee is one-third of the application fee, normally applied to the number of components in the process as it would be following the proposed change. But the rules at paragraphs 11.7-11.8 above apply also to the calculation of substantial variation fees.
11.16 There is no specific charge for a variation to an authorisation leading to or necessitated by a non-substantial change to a process - the enforcing authority's costs of dealing with such lesser variations will be recouped through subsistence charges.
Method of Payment
11.17 Application fees and substantial variation fees must be sent together with the application to the appropriate authority. Addresses are given in Annex E.
11.18 Payment should be by cheque, payable to the appropriate authority, and endorsed "AIC payee only. Not negotiable".