Part II S Changes in Local Government Areas

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (20.8.2004) by Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9), ss. 4(2), 17(2); S.S.I. 2004/351, art. 2 (with art. 3)

C2 Pt. 2 applied (with modifications) (4.10.2018) by Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 (asp 12), s. 20(3)(4), 31(2); S.S.I. 2018/282, reg. 2

[F1 Proposals by Boundaries Scotland] S

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 12 cross-heading substituted (14.5.2021) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), s. 35, sch. para. 1(14); S.S.I. 2021/124, reg. 2, sch.

16 [F2 Wards and councillors: substantive changes in electoral arrangements] S

(1) No review shall be conducted under section 14 or 15 of this Act for the purpose of making proposals for a substantive change of electoral arrangements, but the following provisions of this section shall have effect with respect to the making of such proposals.

[F3 (2) Boundaries Scotland must review the electoral arrangements for a local government area for the purpose of—

(a) considering whether to make proposals to the Scottish Ministers for a substantive change in those arrangements,

(b) considering what proposals, if any, to make, and

(c) formulating any such proposals.

(2A) Boundaries Scotland must submit to the Scottish Ministers a report on its review of the electoral arrangements for a local government area under subsection (2)—

(a) in the case of the first report on its review of that area after the coming into force of this subsection by, in so far as is reasonably practicable, no later than [F4 31 October 2030], and

(b) thereafter, in so far as is reasonably practicable, at intervals of not more than 15 years after the date of the submission of the report on its previous review of that area under subsection (2).]

(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2) above, [F5 Boundaries Scotland] may at any time, whether at the request of a local authority or otherwise, review the electoral arrangements for a local government area for the purpose of considering whether to make proposals to the Secretary of State for a substantive change in those arrangements and what proposals, if any, to make and [F6 Boundaries Scotland] shall formulate any such proposals accordingly.

[F7 (4) Boundaries Scotland may not submit a report in accordance with subsection (2A)(b) or make a proposal to the Scottish Ministers following a review under subsection (3) during any period of 18 months immediately preceding the date of each ordinary local election (within the meaning of section 43(1C) of the Representation of the People Act 1983) held after 6 May 2032.]

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 16 title substituted (14.5.2021) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), ss. 29(1)(b), 35; S.S.I. 2021/124, reg. 2, sch.

F3 S. 16(2)(2A) substituted for s. 16(2) (14.5.2021) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), ss. 29(1)(a), 35; S.S.I. 2021/124, reg. 2, sch.

F4 Words in s. 16(2A)(a) substituted (1.8.2025) by Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (asp 4), ss. 62(3)(a), 73(2); S.S.I. 2025/106, reg. 2(1)(b), sch. Pt. 2

F5 Words in s. 16(3) substituted (14.5.2021) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), s. 35, sch. para. 1(2)(e); S.S.I. 2021/124, reg. 2, sch.

F6 Words in s. 16(3) substituted (14.5.2021) by Scottish Elections (Reform) Act 2020 (asp 12), s. 35, sch. para. 1(3)(d); S.S.I. 2021/124, reg. 2, sch.

F7 S. 16(4) inserted (1.8.2025) by Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025 (asp 4), ss. 62(3)(b), 73(2); S.S.I. 2025/106, reg. 2(1)(b), sch. Pt. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 16 power to transfer or modify functions conferred (30.11.2000 for certain purposes, otherwise prosp.) by 2000 c. 41, ss. 19(3), 163(2)(3) (with s. 156(6))