181.A local authority in Wales must make arrangements that promote co-operation between its officers that exercise housing functions and those that exercise social services functions. It must do this with a view to achieving a number of objectives in relation to its area: to prevent homelessness, to provide suitable accommodation for people who may become homeless; to provide satisfactory support for people who are or who may become homeless; and to discharge its functions under this Part effectively.
182.An authority may request the co-operation of persons listed in subsection (5). They may be in England or Wales. If a request is made, the person to whom it is made must comply with the request unless doing so would be incompatible with their own duties or if it would otherwise have an adverse effect on the exercise of their functions. A local housing authority may also make requests for information to such a person if that information is required by the authority for the purpose of the exercise of its functions under this Part; the person to whom a request is made must comply with it unless the grounds mentioned above in respect of refusing requests for co-operation exist. If a person or body decides not to comply with any request made under this section, it must give written reasons for the decision to the authority that made the request. The list of persons in subsection (5) can be amended by the Welsh Ministers by order; but Ministers of the Crown may not be added to the list.