Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014

Prospective

42 Parish meetings: parish polls E+W

(1) In Part 3 of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972 (procedure in parish meetings), paragraph 18 is amended as follows.

(2) Omit sub-paragraphs (4) to (6).

(3) At the end insert—

“(7) A poll may be demanded before the conclusion of a parish meeting on any question arising at the meeting, subject to regulations made under sub-paragraph (8).

(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about polls consequent on parish meetings, in particular about—

(a) the questions arising at a meeting on which a poll may be demanded,

(b) the circumstances in which a poll may or must be taken (including provision as to the number of local government electors who must demand a poll for a poll to be taken), and

(c) the conduct of a poll.

(9) Regulations under sub-paragraph (8)(c) may apply any electoral enactment (with or without modifications) to polls consequent on parish meetings.

(10) In sub-paragraph (9) “electoral enactment” means an enactment which relates to elections or referendums.

(11) A statutory instrument containing regulations under sub-paragraph (8) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”

(4) In section 243 of that Act (computation of time and timing of elections, etc)—

(a) in subsection (2) for “rules under paragraph 18 or” substitute “ regulations under paragraph 18 or rules under paragraph 34 ”,

(b) in subsection (4) before “rules” (in both places it occurs) insert “ regulations or ”, and

(c) in subsection (5) before “rules” (in both places it occurs) insert “ regulations or ”.