Commentary on Sections Section 4 – Consultation before making merger application
8.Section 4 requires principal local authorities, prior to submitting an application for merger, to consult with a range of stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposal to merge voluntarily. The stakeholders to be consulted are listed in subsection (1)(a) to (h). Consultation undertaken before section 4 came into force may satisfy the requirement of section 4(1).