The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2017

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1275) (W. 121) (“the 2006 Regulations”). They apply in relation to Wales.

The 2006 Regulations require relevant authorities to incorporate into their standing orders certain provisions relating to their staff, meetings and proceedings.

Relevant authorities are required to make or modify standing orders so that they include the provisions set out in the 2006 Regulations or provisions to like effect.

These Regulations amend the 2006 Regulations to make provision about membership and the quorum for meetings of relevant authorities. “Relevant authorities” for the purpose of new regulation 4A (1) of the 2006 Regulations, inserted by regulation 3(3) include, in addition to county and county borough councils, joint planning boards and National Park authorities.

These Regulations apply to committees and sub-committees of relevant authorities by which a relevant function is discharged. A “relevant function” is a function exercisable in relation to an application under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Regulation (3) inserts new regulation 4A and new Schedule 2A in the 2006 Regulations, to require a relevant authority to include in their standing orders a requirement that the quorum for their meetings must include at least half of the committee’s members.

Standing orders must also restrict the appointment of substitute members to committees.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in relation to these Regulations. Copies are available from the Welsh Government at Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and on the Welsh Government’s website at www.gov.wales.