5Guidance about merger applications
(1)The Welsh Ministers may issue guidance—
(a)as to the objectives which a proposal contained in an application under section 3(1) should be intended to achieve,
(b)about matters that should be taken into account in formulating the proposal contained in an application under section 3(1),
(c)about how the consultation required by section 4(1) is to be conducted, and
(d)otherwise in relation to the making of applications under section 3(1).
(2)Principal local authorities must have regard to any guidance issued under subsection (1).
(3)The requirement in subsection (2) may be complied with by having regard to any guidance in relation to any of the matters referred to in subsection (1) which was issued by the Welsh Ministers before the coming into force of this section.