Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

Electoral cycles

14 Change of electoral cycle for principal councils from four years to five years

(1) Section 26 of the 1972 Act (election of councillors) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for “fourth” substitute “fifth”.

(3) In subsection (2), for “four” substitute “five”.

15 Change of electoral cycle for community councils from four years to five years

(1) Section 35 of the 1972 Act (election years) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2), for “fourth” substitute “fifth”.

(3) In subsection (2A), for “four” substitute “five”.

16 Change of electoral cycle for elected mayors from four years to five years

In section 39 of the 2000 Act (elected mayors etc.), in subsection (7) for “four” substitute “five”.

17 Extension of power to change ordinary day of local elections in Wales

(1) Section 37ZA of the 1983 Act (ordinary day of local elections in Wales) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a) after “applies” insert “or an order under subsection (1A) provides otherwise”;

(b) in paragraph (b) omit the words from “made not later” to the end.

(3) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) The Welsh Ministers may by order fix a different day to the one specified in or fixed under subsection (1) as the ordinary day of election of—

(a) councillors for one or more counties or county boroughs in Wales, or

(b) community councillors for one or more communities in Wales.

(1B) An order under subsection (1) or (1A) may fix a day for one or more years.”

(4) In subsection (2), after “subsection (1)” insert “or fixed under subsection (1A)”.

(5) In subsection (3), after “subsection (1)” insert “or fixed under subsection (1A)”.

(6) In subsection (5), for “subsection (3)” substitute “this section”.

(7) After subsection (5) insert—

“(6) Before making an order under this section, the Welsh Ministers must consult—

(a) each council affected by the order,

(b) any bodies appearing to the Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of the councils affected by the order, and

(c) such other persons as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate.”