It shall be the duty of a local authority to—
prepare an integrated waste management plan; and
submit it to the Scottish Ministers for approval.
An integrated waste management plan is a plan which—
sets out, by reference to policies contained in national waste management plan , how the local authority intends to carry out its functions as waste disposal authority and waste collection authority (its "waste management functions"); and
without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a) above, contains statements on such matters relating to the carrying out of those functions as the Scottish Ministers may specify in directions.
Directions under subsection (2)(b) above may, in particular, require integrated waste management plans to include statements setting out—
levels of performance ("performance targets") which the local authority shall, in performing its waste management functions, endeavour to meet;
steps which the local authority proposes to take in endeavouring to meet performance targets;
arrangements which the local authority proposes to enter into with one or more other local authorities for the purpose of securing co-operation, in the carrying out of their respective waste management functions, between the local authorities.
Integrated waste management plans shall—
be prepared, and submitted, under subsection (1) above by such date; and
relate to such period of time,
as the Scottish Ministers may direct.
A local authority shall, in preparing its integrated waste management plan, have regard to such matters as the Scottish Ministers may direct.
In this section, and in sections 44ZB to 44ZD below—