Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Civil Contingencies Act 2004

Type Public General Act

Publication 2004-11-18

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

Reform history JSON API

Part 1 — Local Arrangements for Civil Protection

Introductory

Health

1

(1) In this Part “emergency” means—

(a) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the United Kingdom,

(b) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to the environment of a place in the United Kingdom, or

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) an event or situation threatens damage to human welfare only if it involves, causes or may cause—

(a) loss of human life,

(b) human illness or injury,

(d) damage to property,

(e) disruption of a supply of money, food, water, energy or fuel,

(f) disruption of a system of communication,

(g) disruption of facilities for transport, or

(h) disruption of services relating to health.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) an event or situation threatens damage to the environment only if it involves, causes or may cause—

(a) contamination of land, water or air with biological, chemical or radio-active matter, or

(b) disruption or destruction of plant life or animal life.

(4) A Minister of the Crown, or, in relation to Scotland, the Scottish Ministers, may by order—

(a) provide that a specified event or situation, or class of event or situation, is to be treated as falling, or as not falling, within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1);

(b) amend subsection (2) so as to provide that in so far as an event or situation involves or causes disruption of a specified supply, system, facility or service—

(i) it is to be treated as threatening damage to human welfare, or

(ii) it is no longer to be treated as threatening damage to human welfare.

(4A) In relation to Northern Ireland, the power to make orders—

(a) under subsection (4)(a) in relation to subsection (1)(a) or (b), and

(b) under subsection (4)(b),

is exercisable by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland (and not by a Minister of the Crown).

(5) The event or situation mentioned in subsection (1) may occur or be inside or outside the United Kingdom.

Contingency planning

Duty to assess, plan and advise

2

(1) A person or body listed in Part 1, 2 or 2A of Schedule 1 shall—

(a) from time to time assess the risk of an emergency occurring,

(b) from time to time assess the risk of an emergency making it necessary or expedient for the person or body to perform any of his or its functions,

(c) maintain plans for the purpose of ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, that if an emergency occurs the person or body is able to continue to perform his or its functions,

(d) maintain plans for the purpose of ensuring that if an emergency occurs or is likely to occur the person or body is able to perform his or its functions so far as necessary or desirable for the purpose of—

(i) preventing the emergency,

(ii) reducing, controlling or mitigating its effects, or

(iii) taking other action in connection with it,

(e) consider whether an assessment carried out under paragraph (a) or (b) makes it necessary or expedient for the person or body to add to or modify plans maintained under paragraph (c) or (d),

(f) arrange for the publication of all or part of assessments made and plans maintained under paragraphs (a) to (d) in so far as publication is necessary or desirable for the purpose of—

(i) preventing an emergency,

(ii) reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency, or

(iii) enabling other action to be taken in connection with an emergency, and

(g) maintain arrangements to warn the public, and to provide information and advice to the public, if an emergency is likely to occur or has occurred.

(2) In relation to a person or body listed in Part 1, 2 or 2A of Schedule 1 a duty in subsection (1) applies in relation to an emergency only if—

(a) the emergency would be likely seriously to obstruct the person or body in the performance of his or its functions, or

(b) it is likely that the person or body—

(i) would consider it necessary or desirable to take action to prevent the emergency, to reduce, control or mitigate its effects or otherwise in connection with it, and

(ii) would be unable to take that action without changing the deployment of resources or acquiring additional resources.

(3) A Minister of the Crown may, in relation to a person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1, make regulations about—

(a) the extent of a duty under subsection (1) (subject to subsection (2));

(b) the manner in which a duty under subsection (1) is to be performed.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may, in relation to a person or body listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1, make regulations about—

(a) the extent of a duty under subsection (1) (subject to subsection (2));

(b) the manner in which a duty under subsection (1) is to be performed.

(4A) The Welsh Ministers may, in relation to a person or body listed in Part 2A of Schedule 1, make regulations about—

(a) the extent of a duty under subsection (1) (subject to subsection (2));

(b) the manner in which a duty under subsection (1) is to be performed.

(5) Regulations under subsection (3) may, in particular—

(a) make provision about the kind of emergency in relation to which a specified person or body is or is not to perform a duty under subsection (1);

(b) permit or require a person or body not to perform a duty under subsection (1) in specified circumstances or in relation to specified matters;

(d) require a person or body to consult a specified person or body or class of person or body before or in the course of performing a duty under subsection (1);

(e) permit or require a county council to perform a duty under subsection (1) on behalf of a district council within the area of the county council;

(f) permit, require or prohibit collaboration, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, by persons or bodies in the performance of a duty under subsection (1);

(g) permit, require or prohibit delegation, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, of the performance of a duty under subsection (1);

(h) permit or require a person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to co-operate, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, with a person or body listed in Part 1 of the Schedule in connection with the performance of a duty under subsection (1);

(i) permit or require a person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to provide information, either on request or in other specified circumstances, to a person or body listed in Part 1 of the Schedule in connection with the performance of a duty under subsection (1);

(j) permit or require a person or body to perform (wholly or partly) a duty under subsection (1)(a) or (b) having regard to, or by adopting or relying on, work undertaken by another specified person or body;

(k) permit or require a person or body, in maintaining a plan under subsection (1)(c) or (d), to have regard to the activities of bodies (other than public or local authorities) whose activities are not carried on for profit;

(l) make provision about the extent of, and the degree of detail to be contained in, a plan maintained under subsection (1)(c) or (d);

(m) require a plan to include provision for the carrying out of exercises;

(n) require a plan to include provision for the training of staff or other persons;

(o) permit a person or body to make arrangements with another person or body, as part of planning undertaken under subsection (1)(c) or (d), for the performance of a function on behalf of the first person or body;

(p) confer a function on a Minister of the Crown, on the Scottish Ministers, on the National Assembly for Wales, on a Northern Ireland department or on any other specified person or body (and a function conferred may, in particular, be a power or duty to exercise a discretion);

(q) make provision which has effect despite other provision made by or by virtue of an enactment;

(r) make provision which applies generally or only to a specified person or body or only in specified circumstances;

(s) make different provision for different persons or bodies or for different circumstances.

(6) Subsection (5) shall have effect in relation to subsection (4) as it has effect in relation to subsection (3), but as if—

(a) paragraph (e) were omitted,

(b) in paragraphs (h) and (i)—

(i) a reference to Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 were a reference to Part 2 or 4 of that Schedule, and

(ii) a reference to Part 1 of that Schedule were a reference to Part 2 of that Schedule, and

(c) in paragraph (p) the references to a Minister of the Crown, to the National Assembly for Wales and to a Northern Ireland department were omitted.

(6A) Subsection (5) has effect in relation to subsection (4A) as it has effect in relation to subsection (3), but as if—

(a) paragraph (e) were omitted,

(b) in paragraphs (h) and (i)—

(i) a reference to Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 were a reference to Part 2A or 5 of that Schedule, and

(ii) a reference to Part 1 of that Schedule were a reference to Part 2A of that Schedule, and

(c) in paragraph (p) the references to a Minister of the Crown, the Scottish Ministers and a Northern Ireland department were omitted.

(7) In relation to emergencies that do not fall within section 1(1)(c), the power under subsection (3) to make regulations in relation to the Chief Constable (PSNI) is exercisable by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland (and not by a Minister of the Crown).

(8) Subsection (5) has effect in relation to the power of the Department of Justice under subsection (3) as if—

(a) paragraphs (e), (h) and (i) were omitted;

(b) in paragraph (p) for the words from “a Minister of the Crown” to “department” there were substituted a Northern Ireland department.

(9) In relation to emergencies that do not fall within section 1(1)(c), a Minister of the Crown has no power by virtue of subsection (5)(h) or (i) to make provision permitting or requiring the Chief Constable (PSNI) to co-operate with, or provide information to, a person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1.

Section 2: supplemental

3

(1) A Minister of the Crown may issue guidance to a person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 about the matters specified in section 2(3) and (5).

(2) The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to a person or body listed in Part 2 or 4 of Schedule 1 about the matters specified in section 2(4) and (5) (as applied by section 2(6)).

(2A) The Welsh Ministers may issue guidance to a person or body listed in Part 2A or 5 of Schedule 1 about the matters specified in section 2(4A) and (5) (as applied by section 2(6A)).

(3) A person or body listed in any Part of Schedule 1 shall—

(a) comply with regulations under section 2(3), (4) or (4A) , and

(b) have regard to guidance under subsection (1), (2) or (2A) above.

(4) A person or body listed in Part 1, 2 or 2A of Schedule 1 may be referred to as a “Category 1 responder”.

(5) A person or body listed in Part 3, 4 or 5 of Schedule 1 may be referred to as a “Category 2 responder”.

(6) In relation to emergencies that do not fall within section 1(1)(c), the power under subsection (1) to issue guidance to the Chief Constable (PSNI) is exercisable by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland (and not by a Minister of the Crown).

Advice and assistance to the public

4

(1) A body specified in paragraph 1, 13 or 18A of Schedule 1 shall provide advice and assistance to the public in connection with the making of arrangements for the continuance of commercial activities by the public, or the continuance of the activities of bodies other than public or local authorities whose activities are not carried on for profit, in the event of an emergency.

(2) A Minister of the Crown may, in relation to a body specified in paragraph 1 of that Schedule, make regulations about—

(a) the extent of the duty under subsection (1);

(b) the manner in which the duty under subsection (1) is to be performed.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may, in relation to a body specified in paragraph 13 of that Schedule, make regulations about—

(a) the extent of the duty under subsection (1);

(b) the manner in which the duty under subsection (1) is to be performed.

(3A) The Welsh Ministers may, in relation to a body specified in paragraph 18A of that Schedule, make regulations about—

(a) the extent of the duty under subsection (1);

(b) the manner in which the duty under subsection (1) is to be performed.

(4) Regulations under subsection (2), (3) or (3A) may, in particular—

(a) permit a body to make a charge for advice or assistance provided on request under subsection (1);

(b) make provision of a kind permitted to be made by regulations under section 2(5)(a) to (i) and (o) to (s).

(5) Regulations by virtue of subsection (4)(a) must provide that a charge for advice or assistance may not exceed the aggregate of—

(a) the direct costs of providing the advice or assistance, and

(b) a reasonable share of any costs indirectly related to the provision of the advice or assistance.

(6) A Minister of the Crown may issue guidance to a body specified in paragraph 1 of that Schedule about the matters specified in subsections (2) and (4).

(7) The Scottish Ministers may issue guidance to a body specified in paragraph 13 of that Schedule about the matters specified in subsections (3) and (4).

(7A) The Welsh Ministers may issue guidance to a body specified in paragraph 18A of that Schedule about the matters specified in subsections (3A) and (4).

(8) A body shall—

(a) comply with regulations under subsection (2), (3) or (3A) , and

(b) have regard to guidance under subsection (6), (7) or (7A) .

Civil protection

General measures

5

(1) A Minister of the Crown may by order require a person or body listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to perform a function of that person or body for the purpose of—

(a) preventing the occurrence of an emergency,

(b) reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency, or

(2) The Scottish Ministers may by order require a person or body listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to perform a function of that person or body for the purpose of—

(a) preventing the occurrence of an emergency,

(b) reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency, or

(2A) The Welsh Ministers may by order require a person or body listed in Part 2A of Schedule 1 to perform a function of that person or body for the purpose of—

(a) preventing the occurrence of an emergency,

(b) reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency, or

(3) A person or body shall comply with an order under this section.

(4) An order under subsection (1) may—

(a) require a person or body to consult a specified person or body or class of person or body;

(b) permit, require or prohibit collaboration, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified;

(d) permit or require a person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to co-operate, to such extent and in such manner as may be specified, with a person or body listed in Part 1 of the Schedule in connection with a duty under the order;

(e) permit or require a person or body listed in Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 to provide information in connection with a duty under the order, whether on request or in other specific circumstances to a person or body listed in Part 1 of the Schedule;

(f) confer a function on a Minister of the Crown, on the Scottish Ministers, on the National Assembly for Wales, on a Northern Ireland department or on any other specified person or body (and a function conferred may, in particular, be a power or duty to exercise a discretion);

(g) make provision which applies generally or only to a specified person or body or only in specified circumstances;

(h) make different provision for different persons or bodies or for different circumstances.

(5) Subsection (4) shall have effect in relation to subsection (2) as it has effect in relation to subsection (1), but as if—

(a) in paragraphs (d) and (e)—

(i) a reference to Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 were a reference to Part 2 or 4 of that Schedule, and

(ii) a reference to Part 1 of that Schedule were a reference to Part 2 of that Schedule, and

(b) in paragraph (f) the references to a Minister of the Crown, to the National Assembly for Wales and to a Northern Ireland department were omitted.

(5A) Subsection (4) has effect in relation to subsection (2A) as it has effect in relation to subsection (1), but as if—

(a) in paragraphs (d) and (e)—

(i) a reference to Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 1 were a reference to Part 2A or 5 of that Schedule, and

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