99Provision of support by local authorities
(1)A local authority may provide support for asylum-seekers and their dependants (if any) in accordance with arrangements made by the Secretary of State under section 95.
(2)Such support may be provided by the local authority—
(a)in one or more of the ways mentioned in section 96(1) and (2);
(b)whether the arrangements in question are made with the authority or with another person.
(3)The Executive may provide support by way of accommodation for asylum-seekers and their dependants (if any) in accordance with arrangements made by the Secretary of State under section 95, whether the arrangements in question are made with the Executive or with another person.
(4)A local authority may incur reasonable expenditure in connection with the preparation of proposals for entering into arrangements under section 95.
(5)The powers conferred on a local authority by this section include power to—
(a)provide services outside their area;
(b)provide services jointly with one or more bodies who are not local authorities;
(c)form a company for the purpose of providing services;
(d)tender for contracts (whether alone or with any other person).