18(1)Regulations may provide that, where proposals published under section 7 consist of or include proposals to establish an Academy, the relevant authority must within the prescribed period consult the Secretary of State in accordance with regulations, before taking any decision under paragraph 8.
(2)The relevant authority may not approve under paragraph 8 proposals to establish an Academy unless the Secretary of State, on being consulted under sub-paragraph (1), has indicated in accordance with regulations that, if the proposals were approved, he would be willing to commence negotiations with a view to entering into an agreement under section 482 of EA 1996 for the establishment of an Academy.
(3)If—
(a)the proposals have been referred to the adjudicator under paragraph 10, 11, 12, 13 or 15, or
(b)a direction under paragraph 12(1) is in force in relation to the relevant authority and the case does not fall within paragraph 12(2),
the reference in sub-paragraph (1) to the authority is to be read as a reference to the adjudicator.
(4)Sub-paragraph (2) has effect in relation to a decision of an adjudicator under paragraph 8 as it has effect in relation to a decision of the relevant authority under that paragraph.
(5)Approval under paragraph 8 by the relevant authority or the adjudicator of proposals to establish an Academy does not oblige the Secretary of State to enter into, or seek to enter into, an agreement under section 482 of EA 1996.