The Department may from time to time issue guidance about the making by the Authority in the exercise of its water and sewerage functions of a contribution towards the attainment of any social or environmental policies set out or referred to in the guidance.

In formulating guidance, the Department shall, where practicable, have regard to the costs and benefits which may be expected to result from the guidance.

The Authority shall, in exercising and performing the functions mentioned in Article 6(1)(subject to Article 6(6)), have regard to any guidance issued under this Article.

A draft of any guidance proposed to be issued by the Department under this Article shall be laid before the Assembly.

Guidance shall not be issued by the Department under this Article until after the statutory period beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before the Assembly.

If, before the end of that period, the Assembly resolves that the guidance should not be issued, the Department shall not issue it.

The Department shall arrange for any guidance issued by it under this Article to be published in such manner as it considers appropriate.