"Many councils in Wales cover very large geographical areas because they are so rural and imagine having a single department running services for two councils over that area, " he told BBC Radio Wales.
The Department of Youth Services will rule whether the two boys will be detained longer, Lipps said, adding it will depend on their behavior and rehabilitation.
Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, and spent the final two years of President Bill Clinton's administration as head of the Health and Human Services Department's civil rights office.
Deputy Barry Brehaut, a member of the Environment Department which oversees the island's bus services, said it was not involved in the talks but hoped the two parties would reach a resolution before any services were disrupted.