Voluntary mergers of local authorities

4Consultation before making merger application

1

Before an application is made by principal local authorities under section 3(1) the principal local authorities must consult—

a

members of the public in any principal area likely to be affected by the proposal for merger (an “affected area”),

b

the principal local authorities for affected areas and councils for communities in any affected area,

c

the National Park authority for any area falling wholly or partly within any affected area,

d

the chief officer of police and the police and crime commissioner for any police area falling wholly or partly within any affected area,

e

the fire and rescue authority for any area falling wholly or partly within any affected area,

f

the local health board for any area falling wholly or partly within any affected area,

g

every trade union which is recognised (within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992) by one or more of the principal local authorities, and

h

any other persons which the principal local authorities consider appropriate.

2

Subsection (1) must be satisfied in relation to an application made before the coming into force of this section (as well as to one made afterwards); and any consultation undertaken before the coming into force of this section may satisfy the requirements of that subsection.