122Consultation before making merger application
(1)Before making a merger application the principal councils must consult—
(a)local people in the principal councils’ areas,
(b)each of the councils for communities in the principal councils’ areas,
(c)the National Park authority for a National Park any part of which is in one or more of the principal councils’ areas,
(d)the fire and rescue authority for an area any part of which is in one or more of the principal councils’ areas,
(e)the public services board or boards for the principal councils’ areas,
(f)the Local Health Board for an area any part of which is in one or more of the principal councils’ areas,
(g)every trade union which is recognised (within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52)) by one or more of the principal councils,
(h)every other principal council for a principal area which is likely to be affected by the proposal for merger, and
(i)such other persons as the principal councils consider appropriate.
(2)The requirement in subsection (1) may be satisfied by consultation undertaken before the coming into force of this section.