(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.