47Merging public services boards
(1)Two or more public services boards may agree to merge if they consider it would assist them in contributing to the achievement of the well-being goals.
(2)The Welsh Ministers may direct two or more public services boards to merge if the Welsh Ministers consider it would assist the boards in contributing to the achievement of the well-being goals.
(3)But boards may merge only if—
(a)the same Local Health Board is a member of each board seeking or being directed to merge, and
(b)no other Local Health Board is a member of any of those boards.
(4)If two or more boards merge—
(a)references in this Part (other than in this section) to a public services board must be construed as references to the merged board, and
(b)references in this Part to a local authority area must be construed as references to the combined areas of the local authorities that are members of the merged board.