Fire (Scotland) Act 2005

34 Directions about reinforcement schemes

(1) Where subsection (2) applies, the Scottish Ministers may direct two or more relevant authorities to make a reinforcement scheme in the terms specified in the direction.

(2) This subsection applies where—

(a) one of the authorities has asked the other (or others) to agree to the making of the scheme;

(b) the authorities are unable to agree as to—

(i) that matter; or

(ii) the terms proposed for the scheme; and

(c) one of them asks the Scottish Ministers to make such a direction.

(3) Where subsection (4) applies, the Scottish Ministers may direct the relevant authorities participating in a reinforcement scheme to vary the scheme in the terms specified in the direction.

(4) This subsection applies where—

(a) one of the authorities has asked the other (or others) to agree to the variation of the scheme;

(b) the authorities are unable to agree as to that matter; and

(c) one of them asks the Scottish Ministers to make such a direction.

(5) Where subsection (6) applies, the Scottish Ministers may direct the relevant authorities participating in a reinforcement scheme to revoke the scheme.

(6) This subsection applies where—

(a) one of the authorities has asked the other (or others) to agree to the revocation of the scheme;

(b) the authorities are unable to agree as to that matter; and

(c) one of them asks the Scottish Ministers to make such a direction.

(7) Before giving a direction under this section, the Scottish Ministers—

(a) shall give the authorities concerned an opportunity to make representations; and

(b) may cause an inquiry to be held.

(8) A direction given under this section may be varied or revoked by a further such direction.

(9) In this section “reinforcement scheme” has the meaning given by section 33(2).