Local Government (Wales) Act 2015 Explanatory Notes

1. Introduction

2. Commentary on Sections

   1. Section 1 – Overview

   2. Section 2 – Main definitions

   3. Sections 3 to 10 – Voluntary mergers of local authorities

   4. Section 3 – Proposals for merger

   5. Section 4 – Consultation before making merger application

   6. Section 5 – Guidance about merger applications

   7. Section 6 – Power to make merger regulations

   8. Section 7 – Shadow authorities

   9. Section 8 – Elections and councillors

   10. Section 9 – Mayor and cabinet executive model authorities

   11. Section 10 – Other consequential etc. provisions

   12. Sections 11 to 15 – Transition committees

   13. Section 11 – Transition committees

   14. Section 12 – Composition of transition committees

   15. Section 13 – Functions of transition committees

   16. Section 14 – Sub-committee of transition committees

   17. Section 15 – Provision of funding, facilities and information to transition committees

   18. Sections 16 to 24 – Electoral arrangements etc. for the new principal areas

   19. Section 17 – Directions and guidance to Commission

   20. Section 18 – Conduct of initial review

   21. Section 19 – Pre-review procedure

   22. Section 20 – Consultation and investigation

   23. Section 21 – Reporting on initial review

   24. Section 22 – Implementation by Welsh Ministers

   25. Section 23 – Electoral regulations if no recommendations made

   26. Section 24 – Future review periods

   27. Sections 25 to 28 - Remuneration etc. arrangements for new principal local authorities

   28. Section 25 – Directions to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales to perform relevant functions

   29. Section 26 – Reports of Panel

   30. Section 27 - Directions and guidance to Panel

   31. Section 28 - Pay policy statements

   32. Sections 29 to 36 – Restraints on transactions and recruitment etc. by merging authorities

   33. Section 29(1) – Directions in relation to restricted activities

   34. Section 29(3) – Directions in relation to the appointment/designation to restricted posts

   35. Section 36 - Guidance

   36. Sections 37 and 38 – Information requirements

   37. Section 39 – Temporary extension of functions of Panel relating to heads of paid service to chief officers

   38. Section 40 – Changes to duty to have regard to Panel recommendations about salaries

   39. Section 41 –Panel membership

   40. Section 42 – Survey of councillors and unsuccessful candidates for election as councillors

   41. Section 43 – Proposal submitted before commencement of Part 3 of Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013

   42. Section 44 – Regulations

   43. Section 46 - Commencement

3. Record of Proceedings in National Assembly for Wales