(1)In relation to homeless persons and persons threatened with homelessness, a relevant authority shall have regard in the exercise of their functions to such guidance as may from time to time be given by the Secretary of State.
(2)The Secretary of State may give guidance either generally or to specified descriptions of authorities.
Where a local authority—
(a)request another local authority in Scotland or England or Wales, a development corporation, a registered housing association or the Scottish Special Housing Association to assist them in the discharge of their functions under sections 28, 29, 31 to 33 and 34(1) and (2) (which relate to the duties of local authorities with respect to homelessness and threatened homelessness as such),
(b)request a social work authority in Scotland or a social services authority in England or Wales to exercise any of their functions in relation to a case which the local authority are dealing with under those provisions, or
(c)request another local authority in Scotland or England or Wales to assist them in the discharge of their functions under section 36 (protection of property of homeless persons and persons threatened with homelessness),
the authority to whom the request is made shall co-operate in rendering such assistance in the discharge of the functions to which the request relates as is reasonable in the circumstances.