Part 6General and miscellaneous

I191Public engagement

1

The Scottish Ministers must prepare and publish a strategy (a “public engagement strategy”) setting out the steps they intend to take to—

a

inform persons in Scotland about the targets specified by virtue of this Act;

b

encourage them to contribute to the achievement of those targets.

2

The public engagement strategy must, in particular, identify actions which persons in Scotland may take to contribute to the achievement of the targets referred to in subsection (1)(a).

3

The public engagement strategy must be published no later than 31 December 2010.

4

The Scottish Ministers—

a

may, from time to time; and

b

must, before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (5),

review the strategy.

5

The period referred to in subsection (4)(b) is the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which—

a

the strategy is first published; or

b

the strategy was last reviewed under subsection (4).

6

Where, following a review under subsection (4), the Scottish Ministers vary the public engagement strategy, they must, as soon as reasonably practicable after so doing, publish the strategy as so varied.

7

A strategy published under subsection (6) must contain an assessment of the progress made towards implementing the steps set out in earlier strategies.

8

The public engagement strategy may be published in such manner as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

9

The Scottish Ministers must lay the public engagement strategy before the Scottish Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after it is published.