Local Government Act 2000

27 Referendum in case of proposals involving elected mayor. E+W

(1) Where a local authority’s proposals under section 25 involve a form of executive for which a referendum is required, the authority—

(a) must hold a referendum on their proposals before taking any steps to implement them, and

(b) must draw up and send to the [F1 Welsh Ministers] an outline of the fall-back proposals (referred to in this section as outline fall-back proposals) that they intend to implement if the proposals under section 25 are rejected in a referendum.

(2) Fall-back proposals are proposals—

(a) for the operation of executive arrangements which do not involve a form of executive for which a referendum is required, or

(b) for the operation of alternative arrangements of a particular type permitted by regulations under section 32.

(3) For the purpose of drawing up outline fall-back proposals, a local authority must take reasonable steps to consult the local government electors for, and other interested persons in, the authority’s area.

(4) Outline fall-back proposals must include a timetable with respect to the implementation of detailed fall-back proposals which are based on the outline fall-back proposals in the event that the proposals under section 25 are rejected in a referendum.

(5) A local authority must send a copy of their outline fall-back proposals to the [F2 Welsh Ministers] at the same time that a copy of the proposals under section 25 is sent to [F3 them].

(6) A local authority may not hold a referendum under this section before the end of the period of two months beginning with the date on which a copy of the proposals under section 25 is sent to the [F4 Welsh Ministers].

(7) If the result of a referendum under subsection (1) is to approve a local authority’s proposals under section 25, the authority must implement the proposals in accordance with the timetable included in the proposals.

(8) If the result of a referendum under subsection (1) is to reject a local authority’s proposals under section 25, the authority—

(a) may not implement those proposals,

(b) must draw up detailed fall-back proposals which are based on the outline fall-back proposals, and

(c) must send a copy of the detailed fall-back proposals to the [F5 Welsh Ministers].

(9) In drawing up outline fall-back proposals or detailed fall-back proposals under this section, a local authority must comply with any directions given by the [F6 Welsh Ministers].

(10) Outline fall-back proposals and detailed fall-back proposals must include such details of the executive arrangements or alternative arrangements to which they relate as the [F7 Welsh Ministers] may direct.

(11) Subsections (2), (3)(b), (4) and (6)(c) of section 25 are to apply to detailed fall-back proposals involving executive arrangements as they apply to proposals under that section.

(12) Subsections (2), (4) and (6)(c) of that section are to apply to detailed fall-back proposals involving alternative arrangements as they apply to proposals under that section.

(13) A local authority must implement detailed fall-back proposals in accordance with the timetable mentioned in subsection (4).

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 27(1)(b) substituted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 3 para. 31(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(c) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)

F2 Words in s. 27(5) substituted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 3 para. 31(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(c) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)

F3 Word in s. 27(5) substituted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 3 para. 31(3); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(c) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)

F4 Words in s. 27(6) substituted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 3 para. 31(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(c) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)

F5 Words in s. 27(8)(c) substituted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 3 para. 31(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(c) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)

F6 Words in s. 27(9) substituted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 3 para. 31(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(c) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)

F7 Words in s. 27(10) substituted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 3 para. 31(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(c) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 27(1)(a) applied (W.) (9.12.2004) by The Local Authorities (Changing Executive Arrangements and Alternative Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3158), regs. 1(1), 5(1)

C2 S. 27(8)-(12) modified (E.) (28.7.2007) by Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/2089), regs. 1(2), 14(6)

C3 S. 27(13) applied (with modifications) (W.) (24.3.2004) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Wales) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/870), regs. 1(1), 17(7)

C4 S. 27(13) applied (with modifications) (W.) (23.7.2008) by The Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (Wales) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1848), regs. 1(2), 13(7)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 27 wholly in force at 28.7.2001; s. 27 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 108; s. 27 in force at 7.8.2000 in so far as it confers power to make an order or regulations, give directions, or issue guidance in relation to England only by S.I. 2000/2187, arts. 1(3), 2(b); s. 27 in force at 26.10.2000 in relation to England only except in so far as already in force by S.I. 2000/2849, arts. 1(3), 2(b); s. 27(9)(10) in force at 1.11.2000 in relation to Wales by S.I. 2000/2948, art. 2; s. 27 in force at 28.7.2001 in so far as not already in force see s. 108(4)-(6)