The Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) (Wales) Order 2021

Welsh Statutory Instruments

2021 No. 1285 (W. 324)

Representation Of The People, Wales

The Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) (Wales) Order 2021

Made

17 November 2021

Coming into force

1 January 2022

The Welsh Ministers, in exercise of the power conferred on them by section 76A(1)(a) of the Representation of the People Act 1983(1), and considering it expedient in consequence of changes in the value of money, make the following Order(2):

Title and commencement

1.  The title of this Order is the Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) (Wales) Order 2021 and it comes into force on 1 January 2022.

Variation of expenses limit at a local government election in Wales

2.  In section 76(2)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1983(3) (maximum amount of a candidate’s expenses at a local government election other than an election under the Greater London Authority Act 1999(4)), before sub-paragraph (ii) insert—

“(ic) at a local government election in Wales, £806 together with an additional 7p for every entry in the register of electors;”.

Rebecca Evans

Minister for Finance and Local Government, one of the Welsh Ministers

17 November 2021

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order increases the maximum amount of candidates’ election expenses at local government elections in Wales. The increase reflects inflation since the maximum amount was last varied by the Representation of the People (Variation of Limits of Candidates’ Election Expenses) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/1870).

The maximum amount of candidates’ election expenses consists of a fixed amount (expressed in pounds) plus a sum (expressed in pence) for each entry in the register of electors.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, it was not considered necessary to carry out a regulatory impact assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order.

(1)

1983 c. 2 (“the 1983 Act”); section 76A was inserted by section 14 of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (c. 50) and substituted by section 133(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41). There are other amendments not relevant to this Order.

(2)

The powers of the Secretary of State under the 1983 Act, were transferred, in respect of Wales, by article 45 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/644).

(3)

Section 76(2)(b) was amended by Schedule 17 to the Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51), by Part 1 of Schedule 13 to the Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40), by paragraphs 1 and 20 of Schedule 3 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29), by paragraphs 1 and 18 of Schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2), by S.I. 2005/269, S.I. 2014/1870 and S.I. 2020/1634.

(4)

1999 c. 29.