23.Part 7 of the Act (including Schedules 1 (mentioned above in relation to Part 1), 11 and 12) contains provisions for the merger and restructuring of principal councils. Chapter 1 makes provision for the voluntary merger of principal areas, including applications for voluntary merger, consultation requirements, powers for the Welsh Ministers to give effect to mergers, arrangements for shadow councils and executives, the voting system and elections and a duty on merging councils to co-operate.
24.Chapter 2 makes provision for restructuring principal areas, including conditions to be met, abolition requests, powers for the Welsh Ministers to give effect to restructuring proposals and a duty on restructuring councils to co-operate.
25.Chapter 3, including Schedules 11 and 12, makes provision for transition committees, restraints on transactions and recruitment, reviews of electoral arrangements, executive arrangements and the provision of information by councils.
26.Chapter 4 makes provision for remuneration arrangements for shadow councils and new principal councils established under Part 7, including provision about functions of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales, and pay policy statements.