Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021
A
Welsh Government Bill, introduced by Julie
James MS,
Minister for Housing and Local Government. The Business Committee has remitted
the Bill to the Equality,
Local Government and Communities Committee.
About the
Bill
The
Bill includes provisions for:
- Reforming electoral arrangements for local
government, including:
- extending the voting franchise to 16 and 17
year olds and foreign citizens legally resident in Wales,
- changes to voter registration, and
- enabling a principal council to choose between
the ‘first past the post’ or the ‘single transferable vote’ voting
systems;
- A general power of competence for principal
councils and eligible community councils;
- Reforming public participation in local
democracy;
- The leadership of principal councils, including
to encourage greater diversity amongst executive members and establishing
a statutory position of chief executive;
- The development of a framework and powers to
facilitate more consistent and coherent regional working mechanisms;
- A new system for performance and governance
based on self-assessment and peer review, including the consolidation of
the Welsh Ministers’ support and intervention powers;
- Powers to facilitate voluntary mergers of
principal councils and restructuring a principal area;
- Local government finance including non-domestic
rating and council tax;
- Miscellaneous provisions relating to:
- information sharing between regulators,
- abolition of community polls,
- fire and rescue authorities,
- the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission
for Wales, and
- Public Service Boards.
Further detail about the Bill can be found in its
accompanying Explanatory Memorandum
(PDF, 4MB).
Current
Stage
The Bill is now an Act. An
explanation of the various stages of Senedd Bills is available in the Guide to the Stages of Public Bills and Acts.
Record of Passage in the
Senedd
The following table sets
out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.
|
Stage |
Documents |
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Bill introduced: 18 November 2019 |
Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill (PDF, 818KB), as introduced Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 4MB) Presiding Officer’s Statement (PDF, 78KB): 18 November 2019 Written Statement: Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local
Government on the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill (PDF, 130KB) – 18 November 2019 Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill –
Statement of Policy Intent (PDF, 452KB) Business Committee’s Report on the timetable for
consideration of the Bill: 26 November 2019 (PDF, 49KB) Revised timetable for consideration of the Local
Government and Elections (Wales) Bill – 20 May 2020 (PDF, 59KB) |
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Stage 1: Committee considerations of general principles |
Public consultation - The consultation closed on 3 January 2020, the
responses have been published. In addition to the consultation, the Committee also launched a survey
on Part 3 of the Bill. Analysis of the survey has been published. Committee dates The Equality, Local Government and Communities
Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:
The Legislation, Justice Constitution Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:
The Finance Committee considered the Bill on the following dates:
Committee Stage 1 Reports The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee laid its report (PDF, 2MB) on the Bill on Friday 13 March 2020. The Welsh Government responded to the report (PDF, 416KB) on 23 March 2020. The Finance Committee laid its report (PDF, 1MB) on the financial implications of the Bill on Friday 13
March 2020. The Welsh Government responded to the report (PDF, 277KB) on 23 March 2020. The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee laid its report (PDF, 1MB) on the Bill on Friday 13 March 2020. The Welsh Government responded to the report (PDF, 380KB) on 23 March 2020. |
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Stage 1: Debate in Plenary on general principles |
The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed in
Plenary on 8 April 2020. |
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Financial Resolution |
A Financial Resolution in relation to the Local Government and
Elections (Wales) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 8 April 2020. Further information about financial resolutions is available in
section 3 of the Guide to the scrutiny stages for
Public Bills. |
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Stage 2: Committee consideration of amendments |
Stage 2 began on 9 April 2020. The Minister for Housing and Local Government wrote to the Committee on 23 April 2020. Subsequently, the Business Committee decided to
temporarily suspend Stage 2 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Further correspondence was sent from the Minister on 12 May 2020. On 18 May 2020, the Business Committee agreed to (PDF, 59KB) extend the deadline for Stage 2 proceedings to 9 October
2020, due to the current Covid-19 emergency. The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee agreed on 16 July 2020, under Standing Order 26.21, that the order of consideration for
Stage 2 proceedings will be: Sections 2 – 30; Schedule 2; Section 1; Sections 31– 44; Schedule 3;
Sections 46 – 56; Schedule 4; Section 57; Section 45; Section 59; Schedule 5;
Sections 60 – 63; Schedule 6; Section 64; Schedule 7; Sections 65 – 69;
Schedule 8; Sections 70 – 72; Section 58; Sections 73 – 114; Schedule 9;
Sections 115 – 135; Schedule 10; Section 136; Schedule 11; Section 137;
Schedule 1; Sections 138 – 158; Schedule 12; Sections 159 – 161; Schedule 13;
Sections 162 – 172; Long title. Stage 2 consideration took place in committee on 2 October 2020 and 9 October 2020. Notice of amendments – 7 September 2020 Purpose and Effect table – 7 September 2020 Notice of amendments – 22 September 2020 Purpose and Effect table – 22 September 2020 Notice of amendments – 24 September 2020 v2 Notice of amendments – 25 September 2020 Marshalled List of Amendments - 2 October 2020 v2 Groupings of Amendments - 2 October 2020 Marshalled List of Amendments - 9 October 2020 Groupings of Amendments - 9 October 2020 Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill - As
amended at Stage 2 (PDF, 865KB) Printing Changes to the Bill as amended at Stage
2 (PDF, 118KB) (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by
side-lining in the right margin). Revised Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 4MB) |
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Stage 3: Plenary consideration of amendments |
Stage 3 began on 12 October 2020. Details of tabled amendments will be
published here. Notice of amendments – 29 October 2020 v2 Notice of amendments – 30 October 2020 Notice of amendments – 2 November 2020 Purpose and Effect table – 29 and 30 October and 2 November 2020 Notice of amendments – 3 November 2020 v2 Marshalled List of Amendments – 10 November 2020 Groupings of Amendments - 10 November 2020 The order of consideration for Stage 3 amendments was agreed in Plenary on Tuesday 3 November. Under Standing Order 26.36, Stage 3 amendments will be disposed of in the following order: Sections 2 - 24; Schedule 2; Section 1; Sections 25 - 38; Schedule 3; Sections 40 - 50; Schedule 4; Section 51; Section 39; Section 53; Schedule 5; Sections 54 - 56; Schedule 6; Section 57; Schedule 7; Sections 58 – 63; Schedule 8; Sections 64 - 66; Section 52; Sections 67 - 87; Schedule 9; Sections 88 - 114; Schedule 10; Sections 115 - 135; Schedule 11; Section 136; Schedule 12; Section 137; Schedule 1; Sections 138 - 160; Schedule 13; Sections 161 – 163; Schedule 14; Sections 164 - 174; Long title. Stage 3 consideration and disposal of
amendments took place in Plenary on 10 November 2020. Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill - As amended at Stage 3 Printing Changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 3 (PDF, 94KB) |
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Stage 4: Passing of the Bill in Plenary |
The Bill was agreed by the Senedd on 18 November 2020. Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill [As Passed] (PDF, 948KB) |
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Post-stage 4 |
The Solicitor General, on behalf of the Attorney General, the Secretary of State for Wales and the Counsel General wrote to the Llywydd to advise that they would not be referring the
Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill to the Supreme Court under
Sections 112 or 114 of the Government of Wales Act 2006. |
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Royal Assent |
Royal Assent was given on 20 January 2021 |
Contact
information
Clerk: Catherine Hunt
Phone:0300 200 6565
Postal
address:
Welsh Parliament
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1SN
Email: SeneddCommunities@Senedd.Wales
Business type: Legislation
Status: Complete
First published: 18/11/2019
Documents
- Letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government to the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee - 26 February 2021
PDF 401 KB - Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government - 26 February 2021 PDF 409 KB
- Printing Changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 3 PDF 94 KB
- Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill [As Passed] PDF 948 KB
- Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill - As amended at Stage 3 PDF 952 KB
- Groupings of Amendments - 10 November 2020 PDF 95 KB
- Marshalled List of Amendments – 10 November 2020 PDF 440 KB
- Correspondence from Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government to Llyr Gruffydd MS, Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the revised Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill – 5 November 2020 PDF 367 KB
- Revised Explanatory Memorandum PDF 5 MB
- Notice of amendments – 3 November 2020 v2 PDF 219 KB
- Purpose and Effect table – 29 and 30 October and 2 November 2020 PDF 568 KB
- Notice of amendments – 2 November 2020 PDF 88 KB
- Correspondence from Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding Stage 3 amendments to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill – 30 October 2020 PDF 346 KB
- Correspondence from Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government to the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee regarding Stage 3 amendments to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill – 30 October 2020 PDF 277 KB
- Notice of amendments – 30 October 2020 PDF 87 KB
- Notice of amendments – 29 October 2020 v2 PDF 317 KB
- Correspondence between the Chair of ELGC Committee and Audit Wales regarding section 118 (as introduced) - 27 October 2020 PDF 3 MB
- Correspondence from Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government to Llyr Gryffydd MS, Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the potential costs and benefits of Corporate Joint Committees – 21 October 2020 PDF 163 KB
- Printing Changes to the Bill as amended at Stage 2 PDF 118 KB
- Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill [As amended at Stage 2] PDF 865 KB
- Groupings of Amendments - 9 October 2020 PDF 108 KB
- Marshalled List of Amendments - 9 October 2020 PDF 136 KB
- Correspondence from Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government to Llyr Gruffydd MS, Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the potential costs and benefits of Corporate Joint Committees – 2 October 2020 PDF 162 KB
- Groupings of Amendments - 2 October 2020 PDF 166 KB
- Marshalled List of Amendments - 2 October 2020 v2 PDF 409 KB
- Notice of amendments – 25 September 2020 PDF 153 KB
- Notice of amendments – 24 September 2020 v2 PDF 158 KB
- Purpose and Effect table – 22 September 2020 PDF 634 KB
- Notice of amendments – 22 September 2020 PDF 235 KB
- Correspondence from the Chair of the Finance Committee to the Minister for Housing and Local Government - 21 September 2020 PDF 452 KB View as HTML (33) 24 KB
- Correspondence from Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government to Mick Antoniw MS, Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee regarding amendments to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill – 10 September 2020 PDF 441 KB
- Notice of amendments - 7 September 2020 PDF 139 KB
- Purpose and Effect table - 7 September 2020 PDF 326 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government to the Finance Committee – Includes a report for the Welsh Government on Collaboration Between Local Authorities In Wales - 27 July 2020 PDF 1 MB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government - Stage 2 - 12 May 2020 PDF 266 KB
- Correspondence from the Llywydd regarding the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill: Stage 2 – 29 April 2020 PDF 119 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government - Stage 2 - 23 April 2020 PDF 161 KB
- Welsh Government response to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report – 23 March 2020 PDF 416 KB
- Welsh Government response to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee report – 23 March 2020 PDF 380 KB
- Welsh Government response to the Finance Committee report – 23 March 2020 PDF 277 KB
- Correspondence to Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council - 13 March 2020 PDF 182 KB
- Correspondence to the Minister for Housing and Local Government in relation to draft amendments - 13 March 2020 PDF 210 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government addressing issues that arose during the meeting on 29 January 2020 – 2 March 2020 PDF 269 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding prisoner voting amendments – 2 March 2020 PDF 928 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - 24 February 2020 PDF 332 KB
- Correspondence from Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council - 18 February 2020 PDF 82 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government to the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee – 30 January 2020 * PDF 514 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government in relation to draft amendments - 29 January 2020 PDF 1 MB
- Correspondence from the Llywydd to the First Minister regarding the Local Government and Election (Wales) Bill – 27 January 2020 PDF 151 KB
- Correspondence from the Chair of the Legislative, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Minister for Housing and Local Government - 23 January 2020 * PDF 263 KB
- Survey analysis PDF 464 KB View as HTML (54) 72 KB
- Correspondence from Tai Pawb, CIH Cymru and Shelter Cymru regarding the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill - 16 January 2020 PDF 542 KB
- Correspondence from the Temporary Chair of the Public Accounts Committee regarding the Local Government and Elections (Wales Bill) - 8 January 2020 PDF 713 KB
- Correspondence from Martin Peters, Wales Audit Office regarding the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Bill - 6 January 2020 PDF 721 KB
- Letter to the Llywydd in relation to the revised timetable for Stage 2 - 14 May 2020 PDF 191 KB
- Gohebiaeth at y Llywydd ynghylch yr amserlen - 20 Rhagfyr 2019 PDF 215 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government in response to the Committee's request for additional information following the meeting on 27 November - 19 December 2019 PDF 3 MB
- Correspondence from the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee to Tracey Burke, Director General of the Education and Public Services Group, Welsh Government regarding Financial Management and Governance in Community Councils - 17 December 2019 PDF 705 KB
- Correspondence from Tracey Burke, Welsh Government to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee regarding town and community councils in Wales - 11 December 2020 PDF 924 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding the Representation of the People (Annual Canvass) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2020 - 10 December 2019 PDF 737 KB
- Correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding the consultation on changes to executive governance arrangements in principal councils - 5 December 2019 PDF 780 KB
- Correspondence to the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding the recent scrutiny session on the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill - 5 December 2019 PDF 666 KB
- Correspondence from the Llywydd regarding the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill timetable - 4 December 2019 PDF 142 KB
- Written Statement: Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government on the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill – 18 November 2019 PDF 219 KB View as HTML (67) 20 KB
- Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill – Statement of Policy Intent PDF 452 KB
- * Following a resolution in Plenary on 29 January 2020, the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee became the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee
Background papers
- Letter from the Counsel General to the Llywydd - 16 December 2020 PDF 250 KB
- Letter from the Attorney General to the Llywydd - 15 December 2020 PDF 19 KB
- Letter from the Secretary of State for Wales - 14 December 2020 PDF 63 KB
Consultations
- Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill (completed)