(1)The 2013 Act is amended as follows.
(2)In section 48 (directions and guidance relating to Part 3)—
(a)in subsection (2), after paragraph (e) insert—
“(f)to pause a review it conducts under this Part for a period specified in the direction or until a further direction is given.”;
(b)in subsection (5), after paragraph (b) insert—
“(c)to pause a review it conducts under this Part for a period specified in the direction or until a further direction is given.”;
(c)after subsection (9), insert—
“(10)The Welsh Ministers must not use the powers of direction under this Act to pause a review for more than 9 months, whether the pause is one period of 9 months or more than one period totalling 9 months.
(11)Any period during which the Commission or a principal council is directed under this Act to pause a review is not to be taken into account for the purpose of calculating the length of the periods mentioned in subsections (2) to (5) of section 36B.”