Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013

68 Joint standards committees

(1) The Local Government Act 2000 (c.22) is amended as follows.

(2) In section 53 (standards committees)—

(a) in subsection (1), for “(referred to in this Part as a standards committee)” substitute “or, with one or more other relevant authorities, a joint committee”,

(b) after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) In this Part, a reference to a “standards committee” is a reference to a committee or a joint committee established under subsection (1).”,

(c) in subsection (11)—

(i) in the opening words, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Welsh Ministers”,

(ii) in paragraph (a), after “authority” insert “or authorities”,

(iii) after paragraph (d) insert—

“(da) about establishing a standards committee which is a joint committee (including, in particular, provision about any restrictions on the number or types of relevant authority that may establish a joint committee),”,

(iv) in paragraph (e), for “such” substitute “standards”,

(d) after subsection (12) insert—

“(13) A relevant authority which is considering establishing a joint committee must have regard to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers about establishing joint committees and the circumstances in which it is appropriate to do so.”.

(3) In section 54 (functions of standards committees)—

(a) in subsection (5), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Welsh Ministers”,

(b) after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A) Regulations made under subsection (5) may modify any provision of this Part, or any other enactment relating to a standards committee or to any functions of a standards committee, in relation to cases where a function of a standards committee is exercisable by a joint committee.

(5B) In subsection (5A) “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)), whenever passed or made.”,

(c) for subsection (7) substitute—

“(7) A standards committee must, in exercising any of its functions, have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.”.

(4) In section 106 (Wales)—

(a) in subsection (5), after “section 21G” add “or regulations under section 53(11) or 54(5)”,

(b) in subsection (6), after “section 21A(13)(b)” insert “or regulations made under section 53(11) or (subject to subsection (6A)) section 54(5)”,

(c) after subsection (6) insert—

“(6A) Where a statutory instrument contains regulations made under section 54(5) which include provision adding to, replacing or omitting any part of the text of an Act of Parliament or a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, the instrument may not be made unless a draft of it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.”.