PART 7

MERGERS AND RESTRUCTURING OF PRINCIPAL AREAS
CHAPTER 1

VOLUNTARY MERGERS OF PRINCIPAL AREAS

Merger regulations

Elections
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1
Merger regulations must set—
a
the date of the first ordinary election of councillors to the principal council for the new principal area, and
b
the terms of office of councillors returned at that election.
2
Merger regulations may include provision—
a
cancelling an ordinary election of councillors to one or more of the merging councils and extending the existing terms of office of councillors;
b
cancelling an election of an elected mayor to one or more of the merging councils and extending the existing terms of office of elected mayors;
c
relating to requirements to fill casual vacancies in the office of councillor, vice-chair or chair, and the holding of elections in any of the merging councils or the shadow council to fill casual vacancies;
d
postponing an ordinary election of councillors to community councils in the new principal area and the extension of the existing terms of office of councillors.
3
Merger regulations may also include provision about—
a
the appointment of a returning officer at the first ordinary election of councillors to the principal council for the new principal area;
b
meeting expenditure incurred in holding that election, including provision for the making of determinations by the Welsh Ministers about how expenditure is to be met;
c
declarations of acceptance of the office of councillor of the new principal council;
d
the holding of the first meeting of the new principal council.
4
Provision made under subsection (3)(a) may include provision for the Welsh Ministers to give directions to a principal council as to the appointment of a returning officer, and for the enforcement of such directions.