Insert after section 3 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002—
(1)The Welsh Ministers may direct two or more local authorities in Wales to enter into specified arrangements with each other in relation to the provision of specified services maintained under section 3(1).
(2)Before giving a direction under this section the Welsh Ministers must consult the local authorities to which it is to be given.
(3)Specified arrangements may include (among other things) arrangements—
(a)as to the establishment and maintenance of a pooled fund;
(b)as to the provision of staff, goods, services, accommodation or other resources;
(c)for determining the amount of payment or other contribution to be made towards relevant expenditure by the authorities which are parties to the arrangements;
(d)for working in conjunction with registered adoption societies;
(e)as to the responsibility for, and the operation and management of, the arrangements;
(f)as to the establishment and operation of a panel to make recommendations as to—
(i)whether a child should be placed for adoption;
(ii)whether a prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child;
(iii)whether a particular child should be placed for adoption with a particular prospective adopter;
(g)for resolving complaints about services provided in accordance with the specified arrangements;
(h)as to the determination of disputes between the authorities which are parties to the arrangements.
(4)Where the Welsh Ministers exercise their power of direction under subsection (1) they must within 21 days of the giving of the direction—
(a)report to the National Assembly for Wales that the power has been exercised, and
(b)lay a copy of the direction before the National Assembly for Wales.
(5)In this section—
“a pooled fund” is a fund made up of contributions by two or more local authorities out of which payments may be made towards relevant expenditure;
“relevant expenditure” is expenditure incurred in connection with the provision of services provided in accordance with the specified arrangements;
“specified” means specified in a direction under this section.”