(1)The Welsh Ministers may provide a principal council with such support and assistance as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate to increase the extent to which the council meets the performance requirements.
(2)A principal council may ask the Welsh Ministers to consider providing the council with support and assistance under subsection (1).
(3)Before providing support and assistance under subsection (1) to a principal council, the Welsh Ministers must consult the council about the support and assistance they intend to provide.
(4)The function in subsection (1) includes power to—
(a)enter into a contract or other agreement or arrangement with any person;
(b)cooperate with, or facilitate or co-ordinate the activities of, any person;
(c)provide staff, goods, services and accommodation to any person.
(1)The Welsh Ministers may direct a principal council to provide another principal council (“the supported council”) with such support and assistance as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate to increase the extent to which the supported council meets the performance requirements.
(2)The support and assistance to be provided must be specified in the direction.
(3)But before giving a direction under this section the Welsh Ministers must consult both councils.
(4)The support and assistance which the Welsh Ministers may direct a principal council to provide include—
(a)entering into a contract or other agreement or arrangement with the supported council (and the direction may specify its terms and conditions);
(b)co-operating with, or facilitating or co-ordinating the activities of, the supported council;
(c)providing staff, goods, services and accommodation to the supported council.