2.1 Where local authorities are collaborating informally, they may find it helpful to record their common purposes in a document. Such a document is a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU"). It is not a legally-binding contract, but simply records the common basis on which the authorities are working together. In particular cases, the participating authorities may wish to set up joint bodies at member or at officer level which may be either advisory (making recommendations to each of the participating authorities) or executive (having the power to take decisions on behalf of each of the participating authorities delegated to it by those authorities). A MoU may set out the basis on which such a joint body is established.
2.2 A MoU has the secondary function of recording that the joint arrangements do not constitute a Partnership (see below).
2.3 Where authorities are moving to more complex and long term joint arrangements, it will be essential that any arrangements between them go beyond the informal basis of a MoU and are captured in legally robust contracts/administrative arrangements. A MoU is often a useful stage in a process of moving from informal discussion through to agreed intentions to collaborate to formal commitment.