26(1)As long as a licensing scheme remains in force, the licensing authority shall, during every fourth financial year after the financial year in which the scheme comes into force, prepare a written statement of their proposed general programme for applying the authority’s share of the net proceeds of the scheme during the next four financial years.
(2)Any statement required to be prepared under sub-paragraph (1) above must be submitted for approval to—
(a)the Secretary of State; and
(b)in the case of a borough scheme, the Authority.
(3)Any statement required to be submitted to the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (2)(a) above must be so submitted not less than six months before the end of the financial year during which the statement is required to be prepared.
(4)In the case of a borough scheme, any submission to the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (2)(a) above may only be made—
(a)by the Authority acting on behalf of the licensing authority; and
(b)after the giving by the Authority of the approval required by sub-paragraph (2)(b) above.
(5)Any statement prepared and approved under this paragraph in the case of a licensing scheme prevails for all purposes over any conflicting provisions in the statement included in the scheme pursuant to paragraph 25 above.