Adoption or approval of action plansN.I.
47.—(1) If the Department considers that an action plan—
(a)submitted to it pursuant to regulation 31(1)(b), 31(2)(b), 31(5), 32(1)(b), 32(2)(b), 32(5), 35(1)(b), 35(4), 36(1)(b), 36(2)(b), or 36(5);
(b)submitted to it pursuant to paragraph (6);
meets the requirements of regulation 24, it shall approve the action plan.
(2) If the Department considers that an action plan—
(a)submitted to it pursuant to regulation 27(1)(b), 27(2)(b), 27(5), 28(1)(b), 28(2)(b) or 28(5);
(b)submitted to it pursuant to paragraph (6);
meets the requirements of regulation 24, it shall adopt the action plan.
(3) Paragraph (4) applies if—
(a)the Department considers that an action plan submitted to it pursuant to regulations 27(1)(b), 27(2)(b), 27(5), 28(1)(b), 28(2)(b), 28(5), 31(1)(b), 31(2)(b), 31(5), 32(1)(b), 32(2)(b), 32(5), 35(1)(b), 35(4), 36(1)(b), 36(2)(b) or 36(5), does not meet the requirements of regulation 24; or
(b)an action plan is not adopted or approved pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2).
(4) Where this paragraph applies the Department shall—
(a)amend, and approve or adopt the action plan; or
(b)reject the action plan.
(5) If an action plan is rejected pursuant to paragraph (4)(b) the Department shall notify the authority that submitted it of—
(a)the reasons why the action plan was not approved or adopted; and
(b)the date by which the action plan shall be revised and resubmitted.
(6) The recipient of a notification under paragraph (5) shall submit the revised action plan to the Department by the date specified in the notification.
(7) Paragraphs (1) to (6) apply to a revised action plan as they apply to an action plan submitted pursuant to regulation 27(1)(b), 27(2)(b), 27(5), 28(1)(b), 28(2)(b), 28(5), 31(1)(b), 31(2)(b), 31(5), 32(1)(b), 32(2)(b), 32(5), 35(1)(b), 35(4), 36(1)(b), 36(2)(b) or 36(5).
(8) If the Department amends—
(a)an action plan; or
(b)a revised action plan;
it shall take such steps as it considers appropriate to ensure that the action plan complies with the requirements of Regulation 24 and notify the competent authority of any amendments made.