23.—(1) A district council may take such action as it thinks appropriate for the purpose of promoting the efficient use of energy in residential accommodation in its district.
(2) In particular, a district council may for that purpose—
(a)provide financial or other assistance to any body whose functions include the promotion of energy efficiency in residential accommodation;
(b)provide, or secure the provision of, advice; and
(c)disseminate, or secure the dissemination of, information.
(3) A district council may produce action plans to improve energy efficiency in residential accommodation in its district.
(4) In carrying out its functions under subsections (2) and (3) a district council shall have regard to—
(a)any report published by the Executive under section 2 of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (c. 10); and
(b)any strategy published by the Department in connection with the exercise of its functions under Article 5 of the Energy Efficiency (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (NI 3).
(5) A council shall provide the Executive with such information as the Executive may require for the purpose of carrying out its functions as energy conservation authority in Northern Ireland under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.
(6) In this section—
“residential accommodation” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995;
“financial assistance” means grants or loans of such amounts and on such terms and conditions (including, in the case of grants, conditions as to repayment) as may be determined by the council.