Responsible authorities
4.—(1) In these Regulations a responsible authority is any body or person exercising functions of a public character.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the responsible authority in relation to a plan or programme is the authority by which, or on whose behalf, the plan or programme is prepared.
(3) Where more than one authority is responsible for a plan or programme, or part of it, the responsible authority shall be the authority agreed upon amongst those authorities with an interest in the plan or programme, which failing, shall be the authority determined to be the responsible authority by the Scottish Ministers.