CHAPTER I: General principles

I. - Local authorities and their public establishments may entrust a third party with the examination of applications and the preparation of decisions to award financial assistance and benefits that they assume or institute.

II. - Local authorities and their public establishments may, by written agreement, entrust a body with a public accountant with the allocation and payment of expenditure relating to:

- health and social action grants;

> and - aid they grant for employment, apprenticeships and continuing vocational training;

- aid in addition to national or Community aid managed by this body;

or - or other expenditure listed by decree.

The agreement authorises the body to carry out these operations on behalf of and for the account of the local authority or public body commissioning the operation. The agreement provides for at least annual submission of accounts for the operations and the corresponding documents. It may also provide for the recovery and settlement by the authorised body of any undue payments resulting from such payments.

III. III. - Local authorities and their public establishments may, by written agreement, entrust a body with a public accountant or authorised by the State with the allocation and payment of expenditure relating to the remuneration of vocational training trainees and the recovery of revenue and payment of expenditure relating to the accommodation of the public within the framework of child welfare. The agreement mandates a body authorised by the State to carry out these operations in the name of and on behalf of the local authority or public body making the mandate. The agreement provides for at least annual submission of accounts for the operations and the corresponding documents. It may also provide for any undue payments resulting from these payments to be recovered and settled by a body authorised by the State. A decree specifies the conditions for authorising approved bodies.

IV. - Local authorities and their public establishments may, by written agreement, entrust a public or private body with the payment of expenditure by means of a payment instrument within the meaning of c of Article L. 133-4 of the Monetary and Financial Code and authorised by decree, or with the issue of this payment instrument to the beneficiaries of this expenditure.

The expenditure mentioned in the first paragraph of Article L. 133-4 of the Monetary and Financial Code may be paid by means of a payment instrument within the meaning of c of Article L. 133-4 of the Monetary and Financial Code and authorised by decree. The expenditure referred to in the first paragraph of this IV must relate to:

1° Aid, grants and scholarships;

2° Social welfare benefits;

3° Travel, accommodation and meal expenses for staff and local elected representatives;

> Other expenses listed in the table below. 4° Other expenses listed by decree;

The agreement mandates the body to carry out these operations on behalf of and for the account of the local authority or public body commissioning the service. The agreement provides for at least annual submission of accounts for the operations and the corresponding documents. It may also provide for the recovery and settlement of any undue payments resulting from such payments.

V. - The accounting and financial provisions necessary for the application of this article shall be specified by decree.