Commentary Introduction
269.This Part makes certain arrangements for multi-area agreements (“MAAs”) which are agreements between two or more local authorities and certain partner authorities, approved by the Secretary of State. It gives the Secretary of State the power to direct a nominated local authority (the “responsible authority”) to prepare an MAA in consultation with partner authorities and others specified in guidance (which might include persons from the voluntary and community sector and local businesses). The local authority and partner authorities are placed under a duty to co-operate with each other in determining local improvement targets for the area to be included in the MAA, and a duty to have regard to the targets.