15. (1) Subject to subsection (4) and in accordance with such regulations as may be made under this section, a local authority may make a scheme providing for the waiver by the authority of all or a portion of the rates due to it by ratepayers in order to support the following:

(a) the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy within the meaning of the Act of 2000;

(b) the implementation of a development plan within the meaning of the Act of 2000;

(c) the implementation of a local area plan within the meaning of the Act of 2000;

(d) the implementation of a local economic and community plan within the meaning of the Act of 2001.

(2) The making of a scheme under this section shall be a reserved function within the meaning of the Act of 2001.

(3) A local authority may amend a scheme under this section.

(4) A local authority shall not make a scheme under this section until the adjustment period (within the meaning of section 29 of the Act of 2014) ceases for every specified area within the administrative area of that authority.

(5) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of this section and, in particular but without prejudice to the foregoing, regulations under this section may make provision in relation to all or any of the following matters:

(a) the specification of the maximum percentage of rates that may be waived by a local authority under this section;

(b) the period in relation to which a scheme may be made; and

(c) any other matters which appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of this section.