21.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (4), a referendum required by a direction under regulation 18 shall be held not later than the end of the period of six months beginning with the date of the direction or, in a case to which paragraph (6) of regulation 7 applies, the date that is treated, in accordance with that paragraph, as the date of the direction.
(2) A referendum shall not be held before the end of the period of two months beginning with the date on which proposals and a statement are sent to the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with regulation 20(5).
(3) A referendum under this Part may not be held on—
(a)a Saturday or Sunday,
(b)Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday or a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in Wales, or
(c)any day appointed as a day of public thanksgiving or mourning.
(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply where the National Assembly for Wales holds a referendum in exercise of the power conferred by regulation 25.
(5) Where the National Assembly for Wales—
(a)in exercise of the power conferred by regulation 25, draws up outline fall-back proposals or proposals for the operation of executive arrangements; and
(b)directs an authority to hold a referendum on those proposals,
the authority shall hold the referendum not later than the end of the period of two months beginning with the date of the National Assembly for Wales' direction.