(1)This section applies in relation to any revision to the Welsh Bus Network Plan that the Welsh Ministers propose to make (a “proposed revision”), unless the Welsh Ministers consider—
(a)that the effect of the proposed revision on the provision of local bus services would be no more than minor, or
(b)that it would not be reasonably practicable to carry out consultation on the proposed revision as described in subsection (4).
(2)Before making the proposed revision, the Welsh Ministers must prepare a draft of the Welsh Bus Network Plan incorporating the proposed revision (the “revised draft Plan”).
(3)In preparing the revised draft Plan, the Welsh Ministers must, if they consider that the proposed revision may affect any part of the area of a local authority, seek the views of that authority.
(4)Having prepared the revised draft Plan, the Welsh Ministers must, before making the proposed revision to the Welsh Bus Network Plan, consult each of the following persons on the proposed revision—
(a)where the Welsh Ministers consider the proposed revision may affect any part of the area of a local authority, that authority;
(b)where the Welsh Ministers consider the proposed revision may affect any part of the area of a corporate joint committee established by regulations made under Part 5 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), that committee;
(c)where the Welsh Ministers consider the proposed revision may affect any part of the area of a National Park authority for a National Park in Wales, that authority;
(d)any persons appearing to the Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of operators of affected local bus services that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate;
(e)any persons appearing to the Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of employees of operators of affected local bus services that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate;
(f)any persons appearing to the Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of persons using or likely to use affected local bus services that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate;
(g)any other person that the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate.
(5)For the purposes of that consultation, the Welsh Ministers must provide each of those persons with a copy of the revised draft Plan.
(6)Having consulted those persons on the proposed revision, the Welsh Ministers may revise the Welsh Bus Network Plan either in the terms of the revised draft Plan or, if they consider it appropriate having regard to any views expressed in the course of the consultation, in other terms.
(7)In this section, references to “affected local bus services”, in relation to consultation on a proposed revision, are to local bus services that the Welsh Ministers consider would be affected by the proposed revision.