Reports of the Boundary Commissions
4Publicity and consultation
1
Section 5 of the 1986 Act (publicity and consultation) is amended as follows.
2
In subsection (1)(a)(iii) (length of initial consultation period), for “12 weeks” substitute “
eight weeks
”
.
3
Omit subsections (1)(b) and (3) (duty to hold public hearings during initial consultation period and related provision).
4
In subsection (4)(a) (duty to publish information after the initial consultation period), omit “and records of public hearings held under subsection (1)(b) above”.
5
In subsection (4)(b) (the secondary consultation period)—
a
for “things” substitute “
representations
”
, and
b
for “four weeks” substitute “
eight weeks
”
.
6
After subsection (4)(b) insert—
c
shall cause public hearings to be held at such times during the secondary consultation period as they think fit.
7
After subsection (4) insert—
4A
Schedule 2A contains further provision about public hearings under subsection (4)(c).
4B
After the end of the secondary consultation period, the Commission—
a
must publish, in such manner as they think fit, records of public hearings held under subsection (4)(c), and
b
must take such steps as they think fit to inform people in the proposed constituencies that written representations with respect to those records may be made to the Commission during a specified period of eight weeks (“the third consultation period”).
8
In subsection (5) (requirements if revised proposals)—
a
after “revised proposed constituencies” insert “
before the beginning of the third consultation period
”
, and
b
in paragraph (c), for “a specified period of eight weeks” substitute “
the third consultation period
”
.
9
In subsection (7) (the taking of steps), after “(4)” insert “
, (4B)
”
.
10
In subsection (8) (duty to consider certain matters)—
a
in paragraph (a), after “(4)(b)” insert “
, (4B)(b)
”
, and
b
in paragraph (b), for “(1)(b)” substitute “
(4)(c)
”
.
11
In subsection (10)(b), after “(4)” insert “
, (4B)
”
.
12
After subsection (10) insert—
11
If the report mentioned in subsection (1) is a 2023 report, this section applies in relation to that report as if—
a
in subsection (4)(b), the reference to eight weeks were a reference to six weeks, and
b
in subsection (4B)(b), the reference to eight weeks were a reference to four weeks.
12
In subsection (11), a “2023 report” means a report that is required by section 3(2) to be submitted before 1 July 2023.