A local authority may in accordance with arrangements made by the Secretary of State—
assist in arranging for the provision of an accommodation centre;
make premises available for an accommodation centre;
provide services in connection with an accommodation centre.
In particular, a local authority may—
incur reasonable expenditure;
provide services outside its area;
provide services jointly with another body;
form a company;
tender for or enter into a contract;
do anything (including anything listed in paragraphs (a) to (e)) for a preparatory purpose.
In this section "local authority" means—
a local authority within the meaning of section 94 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (c. 33), and
a Northern Ireland authority within the meaning of section 110 of that Act and an Education and Library Board established under Article 3 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/ 594 (N.I. 3)).