(1)The SCS must, before the beginning of each planning period, prepare and submit to the Scottish Ministers for approval a corporate plan describing how the SCS proposes to carry out its functions during the period.
(2)The plan must—
(a)be prepared in such form,
(b)contain such information, and
(c)be submitted by such time,
as the Scottish Ministers may direct.
(3)The Scottish Ministers may approve the plan subject to such modifications as may be agreed between them and the SCS.
(4)The SCS must, as soon as possible after the approval of a corporate plan—
(a)lay before the Scottish Parliament a copy of the plan as approved, and
(b)publish the plan in such manner as it thinks fit.
(5)During the planning period to which a corporate plan relates, the SCS—
(a)may, or
(b)if the Scottish Ministers so direct, must,
review the plan and submit a revised corporate plan to the Scottish Ministers for approval.
(6)In carrying out its functions in any planning period, the SCS must have regard to the corporate plan for the period.
(7)Subsections (2) to (6) apply to a revised corporate plan as they apply to a corporate plan.
(8)In this section, “planning period” means—
(a)the period beginning with the day on which section 61 comes into force and ending on a date specified by order made by the Scottish Ministers, and
(b)each subsequent period of 3 years.
(9)The Scottish Ministers may by order substitute for the period specified in subsection (8)(b) such other period as they consider appropriate.