SECTION 98

(1) Local authorities may freely maintain operational and cooperation ties between them in accordance with the laws and regulations in force. To that end, they may form groupings to exercise joint interest powers by setting up public cooperation bodies through agreements. (2) Where a grouping of local authorities jointly exercises powers over an area that is subject to devolution, such devolution shall benefit the entire grouping concerned, on the strength of a decision by the deliberative organ of each local authority concerned. In such case, the local authorities concerned shall establish, among themselves, agreements by which each authority undertakes to place its services or resources at the disposal of the other authority, with a view to facilitating the exercise of such powers by the beneficiary local authority.