If the Secretary of State is satisfied that a local authority has failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a direction under section 17 or a duty under section 18, the Secretary of State may make an order declaring that authority to be in default with respect to that direction or duty.
An order under subsection (1) must give the Secretary of State’s reasons for making it.
An order under subsection (1) may contain such directions for the purpose of ensuring that the direction or duty is complied with, within such period as may be specified in the order, as appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary.
Any such direction may be enforced on an application made on behalf of the Secretary of State, by a mandatory order.