PART 5OTHER CHANGES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Joint standards committees

I168Joint standards committees

1

The Local Government Act 2000 (c.22) is amended as follows.

2

In section 53 (standards committees)—

a

in subsection (1), for “(referred to in this Part as a standards committee)” substitute “ or, with one or more other relevant authorities, a joint committee ”,

b

after subsection (1) insert—

1A

In this Part, a reference to a “standards committee” is a reference to a committee or a joint committee established under subsection (1).

c

in subsection (11)—

i

in the opening words, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”,

ii

in paragraph (a), after “authority” insert “ or authorities ”,

iii

after paragraph (d) insert—

da

about establishing a standards committee which is a joint committee (including, in particular, provision about any restrictions on the number or types of relevant authority that may establish a joint committee),

iv

in paragraph (e), for “such” substitute “ standards ”,

d

after subsection (12) insert—

13

A relevant authority which is considering establishing a joint committee must have regard to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers about establishing joint committees and the circumstances in which it is appropriate to do so.

3

In section 54 (functions of standards committees)—

a

in subsection (5), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “ Welsh Ministers ”,

b

after subsection (5) insert—

5A

Regulations made under subsection (5) may modify any provision of this Part, or any other enactment relating to a standards committee or to any functions of a standards committee, in relation to cases where a function of a standards committee is exercisable by a joint committee.

5B

In subsection (5A) “enactment” includes an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30)), whenever passed or made.

c

for subsection (7) substitute—

7

A standards committee must, in exercising any of its functions, have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.

4

In section 106 (Wales)—

F1a

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

b

in subsection (6), after “section 21A(13)(b)” insert “ or regulations made under section 53(11) or (subject to subsection (6A)) section 54(5) ”,

c

after subsection (6) insert—

6A

Where a statutory instrument contains regulations made under section 54(5) which include provision adding to, replacing or omitting any part of the text of an Act of Parliament or a Measure or Act of the National Assembly for Wales, the instrument may not be made unless a draft of it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the National Assembly for Wales.