(1)The Scottish Ministers must, by 31st December 2005, prepare and publish a statement setting out the measures which they and local authorities have taken, are taking and intend to take for the purpose of ensuring that local authorities can reasonably be expected to perform the duties under sections 31 and 32 of the 1987 Act as modified by section 2(1) of this Act.
(2)The statement must specify—
(a)a target date (which must be no later than 31st December 2012) for the achievement of that purpose, and
(b)interim objectives towards the achievement of that purpose.
(3)Those interim objectives may include proposals to specify, under section 25(2)(a) of the 1987 Act, further descriptions of persons as having a priority need for accommodation.
(4)The Scottish Ministers—
(a)must keep the statement under review,
(b)may from time to time modify the statement, and
(c)must publish any modified statement.
(5)In preparing or modifying the statement, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the homelessness strategies and local housing strategies prepared by local authorities under sections 1 and 89 respectively of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 10) (“the 2001 Act”).
(6)Before preparing or modifying the statement the Scottish Ministers must consult—
(a)such associations representing local authorities, and
(b)such other persons,
as they think fit.