Proposals for pilot schemes
6.—(1) Before any pilot scheme may be made, the board concerned must prepare proposals for the scheme and submit them to the Department.
(2) A board must prepare and submit such proposals if it is asked to do so by a person—
(a)who wishes to provide piloted services; and
(b)with whom an agreement which constitutes, or is part of, a pilot scheme may be made;
but otherwise a board may not do so.
(3) A request to a board under paragraph (2) must—
(a)be made in writing; and
(b)comply with such requirements (if any) as may be prescribed.
(4) In preparing proposals for a pilot scheme, a board must comply with any directions given to it by the Department as to the matters to be dealt with, and information to be included, in the proposals.
(5) Before submitting proposals for a pilot scheme, a board must (in addition to complying with any requirements about consultation imposed by or under any other statutory provision) comply with any directions given to it by the Department about the extent to which, and manner in which, it is to consult on the proposals.
(6) The Department may give directions as to—
(a)the matters to which a board must have regard in making any recommendation to the Department when submitting proposals for a pilot scheme; and
(b)the form in which any such recommendation is to be made.