Explanatory Notes

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

1

20 January 2021

Commentary on Sections

Part 7: Mergers and Restructuring Of Principal Areas

Chapter 2: Restructuring of Principal Areas
Section 133 – Restructuring regulations which constitute a new principal area

585.If restructuring regulations include provision which entails the creation of a new principal area (by virtue of abolishing one or more other principal areas and merging it or them with all or part of the area under consideration), the regulations must include the provision set out in subsection (1) of this section. In this circumstance, not only will the principal area under consideration be abolished, but also any other principal area or areas with which all or part of the area of the council under consideration will be merged.

586.The new area must have a shadow council, and subsection (1)(e) provides that the shadow council will be an elected shadow council, but subsection (4) enables the Welsh Ministers, if they consider it appropriate, to provide that the shadow council will be a designated shadow council.

587.Subsection (7) defines the two types of shadow council which may be provided for.