19.Subsection (1) enables the Scottish Ministers to direct or issue guidance to SEPA and responsible authorities on how they must exercise their flood risk related functions. Subsection (2) then requires SEPA and responsible authorities to comply with such directions and take account of any such guidance. The Scottish Ministers must comply with their general duties under section 1 when giving directions or issuing guidance. Before giving a direction they must also consult the person to whom the direction is to be given, as well as SEPA or any responsible authorities as Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.
20.Subsection (3) enables the Scottish Ministers, for example, to direct that specified functions must be exercised so as to satisfy technical standards set by SEPA.
21.Subsection (5) requires Scottish Ministers to give guidance to SEPA and responsible authorities on acting in the way best calculated to manage flood risk in a sustainable way and on having regard to the social, environmental and economic impact of exercising flood risk functions.
22.Subsection (6) requires this guidance to be given no later than 18 months after commencement of the relevant provision. Subsection (7) requires Scottish Ministers to review and where necessary update the guidance no later than every 6 years. Before issuing or updating guidance given under subsection (5), they must consult SEPA and the responsible authorities, and such other persons as they consider appropriate.