3Duty to promote local self-government
(1)
The Scottish Ministers must—
(a)
keep under consideration whether there are any steps which they could take which would or might safeguard and reinforce local self-government and increase the autonomy of local authorities, and
(b)
if they consider it appropriate to do so, take any of the steps identified by that consideration.
(2)
The Scottish Ministers must, in accordance with subsection (3), lay before the Scottish Parliament and publish a report of—
(a)
the steps they have taken, or plan to take, by the date the report is published to safeguard and reinforce local self-government and increase the autonomy of local authorities, and
(b)
their plans until the date on which the next report is to be published to safeguard and reinforce local self-government and increase the autonomy of local authorities.
(3)
The first such report is to be published no later than 5 years after subsection (1) comes into force, and each subsequent such report is to be published no later than 5 years after the publication of the previous such report.
(4)
In complying with their duties under subsections (1) and (2) the Scottish Ministers must consult—
(a)
such persons appearing to them to be representative of the interests of local authorities, and
(b)
such other persons as they consider appropriate.