The communes may draw up and approve inter-communal development and planning charters which define the medium-term prospects for their economic, social and cultural development, determine the corresponding action programmes, and specify the conditions for the organisation and operation of public facilities and services.
On the proposal of the municipalities concerned, the boundaries of the areas concerned are decided by the State representative in the department, after consulting the departmental council. In the case of conurbations with more than 100,000 inhabitants or groups of communes located in several départements, the representative of the State in the region determines the perimeter after consulting the regional council and the département councils concerned.
The municipalities work together to draw up their charter and determine the terms of consultation with the State, the region, the department and the main professional, economic or social bodies that request it.