Consultation display

The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee undertook an inquiry into the general principles of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill (PDF, 818KB). Further details about the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 4MB) can be found on the Bill page.

Terms of reference

The Committee’s terms of reference when scrutinising the Bill were to consider:

·         the general principles of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the stated policy intention. In coming to a view on this you may wish to consider addressing the individual Parts of the Bill:

o   Part 1 – Elections

o   Part 2 – General Power of Competence

o   Part 3 – Promoting Access to Local Government

o   Part 4 – Local Authority Executives, Members, Officers and Committees

o   Part 5 – Collaborative Working by Principal Councils

o   Part 6 – Performance and Governance of Principal Councils

o   Part 7 – Mergers and Restructuring of Principal Areas

o   Part 8 – Local Government Finance

o   Part 9 – Miscellaneous

·         any potential barriers to the implementation of the Bill’s provisions and whether the Bill takes account of them,

·         the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum).

·         whether there are any unintended consequences arising from the Bill, and

·         the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum).

In addition to the consultation, the Committee also launched a survey on Part 3 of the Bill. Analysis of the survey has been published. A short video, based on the survey can be viewed here.

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme, the Committee requests that documents or written responses to consultations intended for publication or use in Senedd proceedings are submitted bilingually. When documents or written responses are not submitted bilingually, we will publish in the language submitted, stating that it has been received in that language only.

We expect other organisations to implement their own standards or schemes and to comply with their statutory obligation.

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Senedd’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Committee.

The consultation closed on Friday 3 January 2020.