Explanatory Notes

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

1

20 January 2021

Commentary on Sections

Part 6: Performance and Governance Of Principal Councils

Chapter 3: Co-ordination between regulators
Section 119 – Co-ordination between regulators

521.This section makes provision of a type which is similar to that in section 23 of the 2009 Measure, which is repealed by section 113 of this Act. However, unlike section 23, it applies only in relation to principal councils.

522.It places a duty on the Auditor General and all “relevant regulators” to have regard to the need for co-ordination in the exercise of their “relevant functions” (see section 120 for the meaning of “relevant regulators” and “relevant functions”). It requires the Auditor General to draw up a timetable in relation to each principal council for each financial year (although the timetable may cover more than one financial year).

523.The timetable must show the dates or periods (in the year or years to which it relates) on, or during, which the Auditor General and the relevant regulators should, in the Auditor General’s opinion, exercise their relevant functions. All relevant regulators and the Auditor General must then take all reasonable steps to adhere to the timetable.

524.The Auditor General also has a duty to assist the relevant regulators to comply with their duties under this section.

Section 120 – “Relevant regulators” and “relevant functions”

525.For the purposes of section 119, this section defines the relevant functions of the Auditor General and lists, in a table, the relevant regulators and their relevant functions.

526.The Welsh Ministers may make regulations to amend the table listing the relevant regulators and their functions.