PART 1ELECTIONS

Electoral cycles

17Extension of power to change ordinary day of local elections in Wales

1

Section 37ZA of the 1983 Act (ordinary day of local elections in Wales) is amended as follows.

2

In subsection (1)—

a

after “applies” insert “ or an order under subsection (1A) provides otherwise ”;

b

in paragraph (b) omit the words from “made not later” to the end.

3

After subsection (1) insert—

1A

The Welsh Ministers may by order fix a different day to the one specified in or fixed under subsection (1) as the ordinary day of election of—

a

councillors for one or more counties or county boroughs in Wales, or

b

community councillors for one or more communities in Wales.

1B

An order under subsection (1) or (1A) may fix a day for one or more years.

4

In subsection (2), after “subsection (1)” insert “ or fixed under subsection (1A) ”.

5

In subsection (3), after “subsection (1)” insert “ or fixed under subsection (1A) ”.

6

In subsection (5), for “subsection (3)” substitute “ this section ”.

7

After subsection (5) insert—

6

Before making an order under this section, the Welsh Ministers must consult—

a

each council affected by the order,

b

any bodies appearing to the Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of the councils affected by the order, and

c

such other persons as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate.