(1)If one or more of the merging authorities is operating, or has made proposals to operate, a mayor and cabinet executive, the merger regulations may include provision requiring the shadow authority to hold a referendum on whether the new principal local authority should operate a mayor and cabinet executive (within the meaning of Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2000).
(2)Merger regulations may include provision preventing a merging authority drawing up and approving proposals to operate such a mayor and cabinet executive.