- Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (Diwygiedig)
- Gwreiddiol (Fel y'i Deddfwyd)
Local Government Act 1972, Cross Heading: Members of principal councils is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 January 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
(1)The chairman of a principal council shall be elected annually by the council from among the councillors.
[F1(1A)A member of the executive of a principal council [F2, or an assistant to the executive,] may not be elected as the chairman of the council.]
(2)The chairman shall, unless he resigns or becomes disqualified, continue in office until his successor becomes entitled to act as chairman.
(3)During his term of office the chairman shall continue to be a member of the council notwithstanding the provisions of this Act relating to the retirement of councillors.
[F3(4)The chairman of a principal council shall have precedence in the area of that council, but not so as to affect Her Majesty’s prerogative prejudicially.]
[F4(4A)Subsection (4) above shall have effect in relation to a principal council which are operating executive arrangements which involve a mayor and cabinet executive F5... as if it provided for the elected mayor of the council to have precedence in the area of that council, but this subsection shall not apply if the executive arrangements provide for it not to apply.]
F6(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1S. 22(1A) inserted (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 46, 108(4), Sch. 3 para. 5(1)(2)
F2Words in s. 22(1A) inserted (5.5.2022) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 6 para. 1(2); S.I. 2021/231, art. 6(t) (as substituted by S.I. 2021/1249, art. 3(2))
F3S. 22(4) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 2 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
F4S. 22(4A) inserted (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 46, 108(4), Sch. 3 para. 5(1)(3)
F5Words in s. 22(4A) repealed (10.7.2011) by Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 4), ss. 34(7)(b), 178(2), Sch. 4 Pt. B
F6S. 22(5) repealed (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 22(1) modified (W.) (22.4.2020) by The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/442), regs. 1(3), 11(2)
(1)The election of the chairman shall be the first business transacted at the annual meeting of a principal council.
(2)If, apart from section 22(3) above or section 24(2) below, the person presiding at the meeting would have ceased to be a member of the council, he shall not be entitled to vote in the election except in accordance with subsection (3) below.
(3)In the case of an equality of votes the person presiding at the meeting shall give a casting vote in addition to any other vote he may have.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C2S. 23 applied (temp. from 4.5.1995 to 31.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/1042, art. 4(1)
C3S. 23 modified (W.) (22.4.2020) by The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/442), regs. 1(3), 11(3)
(1)A principal council shall appoint a member of the council to be a vice-chairman of the council.
[F7(1A)A member of the executive of a principal council [F8, or an assistant to the executive,] may not be appointed as the vice-chairman of the council.]
(2)The vice-chairman shall, unless he resigns or becomes disqualified, hold office until immediately after the election of a chairman at the next annual meeting of the council and during that time shall continue to be a member of the council notwithstanding the provisions of this Act relating to the retirement of councillors.
(3)Subject to any standing orders made by the council, anything authorised or required to be done by, to or before the chairman may be done by, to or before the vice-chairman.
F9(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F7S. 24(6)(1A) inserted (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 46, 108(4), Sch. 3 para. 6(1)(2)
F8Words in s. 24(1A) inserted (5.5.2022) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 6 para. 1(2); S.I. 2021/231, art. 6(t) (as substituted by S.I. 2021/1249, art. 3(2))
F9S. 24(4) repealed (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4S. 24 applied (temp. from 4.5.1995 to 31.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/1042, art. 4(1)
C5S. 24(2) modified (W.) (22.4.2020) by The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Meetings) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/442), regs. 1(3), 11(4)
(1)A principal council may determine to have a presiding member.
(2)A presiding member is elected by the principal council from among the councillors.
(3)The principal council may determine—
(a)the functions of the presiding member, and
(b)the term of office of the member (subject to the limits in subsection (6)).
(4)The functions of the presiding member may, in particular, include any function of the chairman of the principal council in relation to its meetings and proceedings.
(5)A member of the executive of a principal council [F11, or an assistant to the executive,] may not be elected as its presiding member.
(6)A presiding member is to continue in office until the occurrence of—
(a)the presiding member's resignation or disqualification,
(b)a successor becoming entitled to act as presiding member,
(c)the principal council determining not to have an office of presiding member, or
(d)an ordinary council election under section 26.
Textual Amendments
F10Ss. 24A, 24B inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), ss. 51(2), 75(2)(d)
F11Words in s. 24A(5) inserted (5.5.2022) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 6 para. 1(2); S.I. 2021/231, art. 6(t) (as substituted by S.I. 2021/1249, art. 3(2))
(1)The section applies where a principal council have determined to have a presiding member.
(2)The principal council must appoint a member of the council to act as deputy to the presiding member (“the deputy presiding member”).
(3)A member of the executive of a principal council [F12, or an assistant to the executive,] may not be appointed as the deputy presiding member.
(4)A deputy presiding member is to continue in office until the occurrence of—
(a)the deputy presiding member's resignation or disqualification,
(b)a successor becoming entitled to act as deputy presiding member,
(c)the council determining not to have an office of presiding member, or
(d)an ordinary council election under section 26.
(5)A deputy presiding member may do anything authorised or required to be done by the presiding member.]
Textual Amendments
F10Ss. 24A, 24B inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), ss. 51(2), 75(2)(d)
F12Words in s. 24B(3) inserted (5.5.2022) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 6 para. 1(2); S.I. 2021/231, art. 6(t) (as substituted by S.I. 2021/1249, art. 3(2))
(1)Councillors for a principal area shall be elected by the local government electors for that area in accordance with this Act [F13, Part 1] of the [F14Representation of the People Act 1983] [F15, and Part 1 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021].
[F16(2)For the purpose of the election of councillors, every principal area in Wales shall be divided into electoral [F17wards], each returning such number of councillors as may be provided by an order under paragraph 2 of Schedule 5 to this Act or under or by virtue of the provisions of Part IV of this Act [F18or Part 3 of the [F19Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013]] [F20, or by regulations under paragraph 9 or 10 of Schedule 1 to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021].
(3)There shall be a separate election for each electoral [F21ward].]
Textual Amendments
F13Words in s. 25(1) substituted (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(3)(f), Sch. 2 para. 1(2)(a)(i)
F14Words substituted by Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 206, Sch. 8 para. 12
F15Words in s. 25(1) inserted (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(3)(f), Sch. 2 para. 1(2)(a)(ii)
F16S. 25(2)(3) substituted for s. 25(2) (20.3.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 4(1) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/546, art. 3, Sch.
F17Word in s. 25(2) substituted (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(3)(f), Sch. 2 para. 1(2)(b)(i)
F18Words in s. 25(2) inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(2)
F19Words in s. 25(2) substituted (25.6.2024) by Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (asc 4), s. 25(1)(a), Sch. 1 para. 1(2)
F20Words in s. 25(2) inserted (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(3)(f), Sch. 2 para. 1(2)(b)(ii)
F21Word in s. 25(3) substituted (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(3)(f), Sch. 2 para. 1(2)(c)
(1)The chairman of a county borough council is entitled to the style of “mayor” or “maer”.
(2)The vice-chairman of a county borough council is entitled to the style of “deputy mayor” or “dirprwy faer”.]
[F23(3)This section does not apply where a county borough council are operating executive arrangements which involve a mayor and cabinet executive F24....]
Textual Amendments
F22S. 25A inserted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 3 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1), Sch. 5
F23S. 25A(3) inserted (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 46, 108(4), Sch. 3 para. 7(1)(2)
F24Words in s. 25A(3) repealed (10.7.2011) by Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 4), ss. 34(7)(c), 178(2), Sch. 4 Pt. B
(1)This section applies where—
(a)a principal council have determined to have a presiding member under section 24A, and
(b)the chairman of the council is not entitled to the style of “mayor” or “maer”.
(2)The chairman of the council is entitled to the style of “civic chair” or “cadeirydd dinesig”.
(3)The vice-chairman of the council is entitled to the style of ”civic vice-chair” or “dirprwy gadeirydd dinesig”.]
Textual Amendments
F25S. 25B inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), ss. 51(3), 75(2)(d)
(1)The ordinary elections of councillors of the new principal councils shall take place in [F272022] and in every [F28fifth] year after [F272022].
(2)The term of office of every such councillor shall be [F29five] years.
(3)On the fourth day after any such ordinary election—
(a)the persons who were councillors immediately before the election shall retire; and
(b)the newly elected councillors shall assume office.]
Textual Amendments
F26S. 26 substituted (20.3.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 4(2) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/546, art. 3, Sch.
F27Word in s. 26(1) substituted (W.) (6.11.2019) by The Local Authorities (Change to the Years of Ordinary Elections) (Wales) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/1269), arts. 1(2), 3(2)
F28Word in s. 26(1) substituted (W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 14(2), 175(3)(d)
F29Word in s. 26(2) substituted (W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 14(3), 175(3)(d)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
Y Ddeddf Gyfan you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Y Ddeddf Gyfan heb Atodlenni you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Y Rhestrau you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (diwygiedig):Y fersiwn ddiweddaraf sydd ar gael o’r ddeddfwriaeth yn cynnwys newidiadau a wnaed gan ddeddfwriaeth ddilynol ac wedi eu gweithredu gan ein tîm golygyddol. Gellir gweld y newidiadau nad ydym wedi eu gweithredu i’r testun eto yn yr ardal ‘Newidiadau i Ddeddfwriaeth’.
Gwreiddiol (Fel y’i Deddfwyd neu y’i Gwnaed): Mae'r wreiddiol fersiwn y ddeddfwriaeth fel ag yr oedd pan gafodd ei deddfu neu eu gwneud. Ni wnaed unrhyw newidiadau i’r testun.
Rhychwant ddaearyddol: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Dangos Llinell Amser Newidiadau: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Gallwch wneud defnydd o ddogfennau atodol hanfodol a gwybodaeth ar gyfer yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth o’r tab hwn. Yn ddibynnol ar yr eitem ddeddfwriaeth sydd i’w gweld, gallai hyn gynnwys:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Defnyddiwch y ddewislen hon i agor dogfennau hanfodol sy’n cyd-fynd â’r ddeddfwriaeth a gwybodaeth am yr eitem hon o ddeddfwriaeth. Gan ddibynnu ar yr eitem o ddeddfwriaeth sy’n cael ei gweld gall hyn gynnwys:
liciwch ‘Gweld Mwy’ neu ddewis ‘Rhagor o Adnoddau’ am wybodaeth ychwanegol gan gynnwys