85—(1) The Department may issue guidance to councils about the exercise of their functions under this Act.
(2) In exercising any function under this Act, a council must have regard to any guidance under this section which applies to it in the exercise of that function.
(3) Before issuing any guidance under this section the Department must consult—
(a)councils, and
(b)such other persons as the Department considers appropriate.
(4) Any guidance under this section must be—
(a)issued in writing, and
(b)published in such manner as the Department considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of councils.
(5) The Department may vary or revoke any guidance issued under this section.