139Prohibition of changes to executive arrangements
(1)After receiving a merger application the Welsh Ministers may direct a merging council that—
(a)until merger regulations applying to the council come into force, or
(b)until it receives notice under section 121(5),
it must not take any steps (including the holding of a referendum) to change its form of executive.
(2)After giving notice as described in section 129(6), the Welsh Ministers may direct a restructuring council that—
(a)until restructuring regulations applying to the council come into force, or
(b)until it receives notice under section 134(3),
it must not take any steps (including the holding of a referendum) to change its form of executive.
(3)While a direction under subsection (1) or (2) has effect in relation to a council, the council is not subject to any duty imposed by or under an enactment to take steps to change its form of executive.