The structure of the Act
Section 3 – Publication by listed authority
13.This section sets out deadlines for the publication of Authority Plans, and how these relate to the timing of the publication of National Plans. Subsection (1) provides that each listed authority must publish its first Authority Plan as soon as is reasonably practicable after the first National Plan is published, and in any case no later than 12 months after that National Plan is published.
14.Subsection (2) provides that a listed authority must publish subsequent Authority Plans as soon as is reasonably practicable after each National Plan is published and in any case no later than six months after publication of a National Plan. If an authority becomes listed after the first National Plan is published, it will normally be required to publish its first Authority Plan within 12 months of the publication of the most recent National Plan (subsection 3(b)). This is subject to the Scottish Ministers providing, in the order (made under section 6) by which the authority became listed, that the first Authority Plan is to be published by reference to a different National Plan (subsection (4)). Under subsection (5) listed authorities are required to publish any revised plans as soon as is reasonably practicable after the revisions are made. Revised plans must clearly indicate the changes made.
15.Subsection (7) stipulates that all Authority Plans are to take account of any guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers on the publication of plans. That apart, the manner of publication is left to the discretion of each authority (subsection (6)).
16.Subsections (8) and (9) require that Authority Plans and revised Authority Plans are made available in BSL. In the case of a revised version, an explanation of the changes is also to be made available.