Provision and maintenance of museums and galleries by district councils
12.—(1) A district council, either alone or together with another district council or any other person, may provide and maintain museums and galleries.
(2) A district council may acquire land otherwise than by agreement for the purposes of paragraph (1).
(3) A district council may pay to another district council sums by way of contribution towards the expenses of the maintenance or provision of a museum or gallery by that other council.
(4) A district council may make grants towards the expenses of the maintenance or provision of a museum or gallery by any person.
(5) A district council shall consult with the Department and such other bodies as the Department may determine before exercising—
(a)any power mentioned in paragraph (1) in so far as that power relates to the provision of a museum or gallery; or
(b)any power mentioned in paragraph (4) in so far as that power relates to the making of grants towards the expenses of the provision of a museum or gallery.
(6) In this Article “provide” and “maintain” have the meanings assigned by section 147 of the [1972 c. 9 (N.I.).] Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.