Representation of the People Act 1983

[F1 37ZA Ordinary day of local elections in Wales U.K.

(1) In every year the ordinary day of election of councillors is the same for all local government areas in Wales F2 ... and unless subsection (2) applies [F3 or an order under subsection (1A) provides otherwise], is—

(a) the first Thursday in May;

(b) such other day as may be fixed by the Welsh Ministers by order F4 ....

[F5 (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.]

(2) The ordinary day of election of councillors is not the day specified in or fixed under subsection (1) [F6 or fixed under subsection (1A)] if that day is the day of the poll at an ordinary general election of members of the National Assembly for Wales.

(3) Where under subsection (2) the ordinary day of election of councillors is not the day specified in or fixed under subsection (1) [F7 or fixed under subsection (1A)], it is such other day as the Welsh Ministers may by order specify.

(4) The power to make an order under subsection (1)(b) or (3) is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under [F8 this section] may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.]

[F9 (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.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 37ZA inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 6(17), 71(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(b)

F2 Words in s. 37ZA(1) repealed (31.12.2020) by The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))

F3 Words in s. 37ZA(1) inserted (E.W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 17(2)(a), 175(3)(d)

F4 Words in s. 37ZA(1)(b) omitted (E.W.) (20.3.2021) by virtue of Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 17(2)(b), 175(3)(d)

F5 S. 37ZA(1A)(1B) inserted (E.W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 17(3), 175(3)(d)

F6 Words in s. 37ZA(2) inserted (E.W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 17(4), 175(3)(d)

F7 Words in s. 37ZA(3) inserted (E.W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 17(5), 175(3)(d)

F8 Words in s. 37ZA(5) substituted (E.W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 17(6), 175(3)(d)

F9 S. 37ZA(6) inserted (E.W.) (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), ss. 17(7), 175(3)(d)