PART 7MERGERS AND RESTRUCTURING OF PRINCIPAL AREAS

CHAPTER 1VOLUNTARY MERGERS OF PRINCIPAL AREAS

Merger regulations

127Elections

1

Merger regulations must set—

a

the date of the first ordinary election of councillors to the principal council for the new principal area, and

b

the terms of office of councillors returned at that election.

2

Merger regulations may include provision—

a

cancelling an ordinary election of councillors to one or more of the merging councils and extending the existing terms of office of councillors;

b

cancelling an election of an elected mayor to one or more of the merging councils and extending the existing terms of office of elected mayors;

c

relating to requirements to fill casual vacancies in the office of councillor, vice-chair or chair, and the holding of elections in any of the merging councils or the shadow council to fill casual vacancies;

d

postponing an ordinary election of councillors to community councils in the new principal area and the extension of the existing terms of office of councillors.

3

Merger regulations may also include provision about—

a

the appointment of a returning officer at the first ordinary election of councillors to the principal council for the new principal area;

b

meeting expenditure incurred in holding that election, including provision for the making of determinations by the Welsh Ministers about how expenditure is to be met;

c

declarations of acceptance of the office of councillor of the new principal council;

d

the holding of the first meeting of the new principal council.

4

Provision made under subsection (3)(a) may include provision for the Welsh Ministers to give directions to a principal council as to the appointment of a returning officer, and for the enforcement of such directions.