25.—(1) The Department may give directions of a general or specific nature to councils as to the manner in which the councils are to discharge their functions under Parts II and III, and councils shall act in accordance with those directions.
(2) Any directions given to councils by the Department under this Article may be varied or revoked by subsequent directions so given.
26.—(1) In any case where—
(a)an emergency or disaster occurs involving destruction of or danger to life or property, and
(b)as a result, one or more councils incur expenditure on, or in connection with, the taking of immediate action (whether by the carrying out of works or otherwise) to safeguard life or property, or to prevent suffering or severe inconvenience, in its district or among its inhabitants, the Department may establish a scheme under this Article for the giving of financial assistance to those councils in respect of that expenditure.
(2) Financial assistance given pursuant to a scheme under this Article shall take the form of grants paid by the Department with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel and, subject to that, the terms and conditions of a scheme shall be such as the Department considers appropriate to the circumstances of the particular emergency or disaster concerned.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2), a scheme under this Article may—
(a)make the payment of grants conditional upon the making of claims of a description specified in the scheme;
(b)make provision with respect to the expenditure qualifying for grant and the rates and amounts of grants; and
(c)make provision in certain specified circumstances for the repayment of any grant, in whole or in part.
27.—(1) A council may promote safety in the home by publishing or making arrangements for otherwise giving information or advice relating to the prevention of accidents in the home.
(2) A council may contribute to the funds of any voluntary body whose activities consist of or include the promotion of safety in the home.
28.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Article, a council may make payments for the purpose of taking such steps, as the council considers appropriate, for promoting the economic development of its district.
(2) The total payments made under this Article by a council in any one financial year shall not exceed the product of a rate of 2p. in the pound on the rateable value of the district.
(3) A council shall not make any payment under this Article without the consent in writing of the Department.
(4) The Department may, by order, substitute for the amount of 2p. specified in paragraph (2) such other amount, whether higher or lower, as is specified in the order.