Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc1)

SCHEDULE 4 Notice of local authority meetings, access to documents and attendance at meetings

PART 1 Notice of local authority meetings and access to documents

Copies and publication of documents relating to meetings of local authorities

8 (1) Section 100C of the 1972 Act (inspection of minutes and other documents after meetings) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), after “principal council” insert “in England”.

(3) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) After a meeting of a principal council in Wales the documents listed in subsection (1B) must—

(a) be published electronically, and

(b) remain accessible electronically to members of the public until the expiration of the period of six years beginning with the date of the meeting.

(1B) The documents are—

(a) the minutes, or a copy of the minutes, of the meeting, excluding so much of the minutes of proceedings during which the meeting was not open to the public as discloses exempt information,

(b) where applicable, a summary under subsection (2),

(c) a copy of the agenda for the meeting, and

(d) a copy of so much of any report for the meeting as relates to any item during which the meeting was open to the public.

(1C) As soon as reasonably practicable after a meeting of a principal council in Wales, and in any event before the end of seven working days beginning with the day on which the meeting is held, the council must publish electronically a note setting out—

(a) the names of the members who attended the meeting, and any apologies for absence;

(b) any declarations of interest;

(c) any decision taken at the meeting, including the outcomes of any votes, but excluding anything relating to a decision taken when the meeting was not open to the public as discloses exempt information.”

(4) In subsection (2), after “subsection (1)(a) above” insert “, or the document published under subsections (1A) and (1B)(a),”.

(5) In the heading after “Inspection” insert “and publication”.