Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008

8 Power to direct health boards and local authorities

(1) This section and section 9 apply where the Scottish Ministers consider that—

(a) a health board or, as the case may be, a local authority has failed, is failing or is likely to fail—

(i) to exercise a function conferred on it by virtue of this Act or by any other enactment relating to the protection of public health; or

(ii) to exercise that function in a manner which Ministers consider acceptable; and

(b) it is necessary for the purpose of protecting public health that the function—

(i) is exercised; or

(ii) is exercised in such a manner as Ministers consider acceptable.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may in writing direct the board or, as the case may be, the authority—

(a) to exercise the function; or

(b) to exercise it in such a manner,

within such period and subject to such other conditions as they consider appropriate.

(3) A direction under subsection (2) must specify—

(a) the function of the board or, as the case may be, of the authority to which it applies;

(b) the period within which the function—

(i) is to be exercised; or

(ii) is to be exercised in the manner specified; and

(c) any other conditions imposed on the board or authority in relation to the exercise of the function.

(4) The Scottish Ministers may from time to time vary or withdraw a direction under subsection (2).