32Exercise of local authority functions
(1)The Scottish Ministers may give local authorities directions of a general or specific character as to the exercise of their functions under this Act.
(2)Such directions may be given to all local authorities, to a particular local authority or to local authorities of a particular description.
(3)Subsections (1) and (2) are without prejudice to section 7(10) and (11).
(4)If the Scottish Ministers so direct, the functions of a local authority under any of sections 25 to 30 and schedule 5 are exercisable by them in place of the authority to the extent specified in the direction; and for the purpose of such exercise, references in those provisions and this Part to a local authority are, so far as necessary, to be read as references to the Scottish Ministers.
(5)A direction under subsection (4) may be of a general or specific character and may, for example, relate to a particular—
(a)building or description of building,
(b)local authority or description of local authority,
(c)geographical area.