A local authority may, and if required by the Minister shall, undertake the cleansing, and may undertake the watering, of streets, as respects either the whole or any part of their district.
Where a local authority have under this section undertaken the cleansing or watering of any streets with respect to which they are not the highway authority—
the local authority may arrange with the highway authority for that authority to carry out the work on such terms as may be agreed;
if the local authority carry out the work, the highway authority shall make towards the expenses of the local authority such reasonable contribution, regard being had to the extent to which the work is or was necessary for the maintenance of the street and the safety of traffic thereon, as may be agreed or, in case of dispute, may be determined by the Minister.
A local authority who have under this section resolved to undertake the cleansing of streets shall not, if their resolution was passed in compliance with a requirement of the Minister, rescind it without his consent.