This section applies where the Secretary of State considers that it is desirable for a spatial development strategy to relate to an area consisting of the areas of two or more principal authorities.
Subject to subsection (4), the Secretary of State may by regulations establish a joint committee of the authorities to exercise functions under this Part in relation to an area consisting of the areas of those authorities (the "constituent authorities").
Such a committee is to be known as a "strategic planning board".
The Secretary of State may make regulations under subsection (2) establishing a strategic planning board only after consulting the following on a draft of the proposed regulations—
Where the Secretary of State is considering whether to, or has decided to, establish a strategic planning board, the Secretary of State may direct the principal authorities that are to be the constituent authorities of the board not to take any step, or any further step, or not to take a step specified in the direction, in connection with the preparation of their own spatial development strategies.