17.—(1) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), references to local access forums do not include joint local access forums.
(2) An appointing authority may merge any two or more local access forums in their area by giving such forums 21 days’ notice in writing.
(3) An appointing authority may agree to merge any one or more local access forums in their area with any one or more local access forums in another authority’s area to form a joint local access forum, and such merger shall be effected by the appointing authorities, acting jointly, giving each forum that is to be merged 21 days’ notice in writing.
(4) The relevant appointing authorities may agree to merge a joint local access forum with any other local access forum with the agreement of—
(a)each appointing authority whose local access forum is to be merged; and
(b)each appointing authority whose joint local access forum is to be merged;
and the merger shall be effected by the appointing authorities whose forums are to be merged giving each such forum 21 days’ joint notice in writing.
(5) The forum formed by a merger shall be treated as a separate forum established by the appointing authorities of the forums so merged, and the forums so merged shall cease to exist.
(6) Before giving notice under paragraph (2), (3) or (4), an appointing authority or authorities whose forums are to be merged must consult any other appointing authority or local access forum which they consider, or, in a case within paragraph (4), which they jointly consider, will be affected by the merger.
(7) Except where one or more of the merging forums is a joint local access forum, the secretary of each merging forum must deliver its minutes, documents, and annual reports to the secretary of the forum formed by the merger on the expiry of the 21-day period mentioned in paragraph (2) or (3) (as the case may be) or as soon as practicable thereafter.
(8) Where the merger involves one or more joint local access forums, the appointing authorities whose forums have been merged shall agree the arrangements in respect of each such forum’s minutes, documents, secretary, annual reports, and such other matters as the authorities consider appropriate, as soon as practicable after the expiry of the 21-day period mentioned in paragraph (4).