Prospective
(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 ”.