If the Secretary of State appropriate national authority is satisfied that a local authority or joint board have failed to discharge their functions under this Act in a case in which they ought to have discharged them, he it may make an order declaring them to be in default and directing them for the purpose of removing the default to discharge such of their functions, in such manner and within such time or times, as may be specified in the order.
If a local authority or joint board with respect to whom an order has been made under subsection (1) above fail to comply with a requirement of the order within the time limited by the order for compliance with that requirement, the Secretary of State appropriate national authority, in lieu of enforcing the order by mandamus or otherwise, may make an order tranferring to himself such of the functions of the body in default as may be specified in his order. make a transfer order in respect of the body in default.
The Secretary of State must consult the regulator before making an order under subsection (1) or (2).
The Secretary of State may also make a transfer order in respect of a local authority if—
and is likely to continue to do so.
The Welsh Ministers may also make a transfer order in respect of a local authority if the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that the way in which the authority exercises its functions under this Act—
and is likely to continue to do so.
A "transfer order", in respect of a local authority or joint board, is an order transferring to the appropriate national authority, or to another local authority, such functions of the authority or board as may be specified in the order.