The Representation of the People Act 1983 (Security Expenses Exclusion) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2026

Welsh Statutory Instruments

2026 No. 82

LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WALES

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE, WALES

The Representation of the People Act 1983 (Security Expenses Exclusion) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2026

Made

11 March 2026

Coming into force

13 March 2026

The Welsh Ministers, in exercise of the powers conferred by paragraph 15(1) of Schedule 4A to the Representation of the People Act 1983(1), make the following Order.

In accordance with paragraph 15(3) of Schedule 4A to that Act, the Welsh Ministers have consulted with the Electoral Commission prior to the Order being made.

In accordance with the Senedd approval procedure applied by paragraph 15(2) of Schedule 4A to that Act, a draft of this Welsh statutory instrument was laid before, and approved by a resolution of, Senedd Cymru.

Title, coming into force and transitional provision

1.—(1) The title of this Order is the Representation of the People Act 1983 (Security Expenses Exclusion) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2026.

(2) This Order comes into force on 13 March 2026.

(3) Despite the coming into force of this Order under paragraph (2), it does not have effect in relation to—

(a) an election of councillors to a county or county borough council if, in the event of an election being contested, the poll would take place before 7 May 2026;

(b) an election of councillors to a community council if, in the event of the election being contested, the poll would take place before 7 May 2026.

Amendment of the Representation of the People Act 1983

2.   In paragraph 13A of Schedule 4A to the Representation of the People Act 1983(2) (security exclusion in respect of qualifying expenses for candidates), omit “Except in relation to a local government election in Wales,”.

Jayne Bryant

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, one of the Welsh Ministers

11 March 2026

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Schedule 4A to the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) details the expenses that candidates must account for at UK Parliamentary elections and local government elections, including local government elections in Wales. Paragraph 13A, which was inserted by regulation 4(1) of the Representation of the People (Variation of Election Expenses and Exclusions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/428), provides for a general exclusion for reasonable expenses incurred that are reasonably attributable to the protection of persons or property, other than at local government elections in Wales. This Order amends paragraph 13A so that the exclusion applies in relation to local government elections in Wales.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to this Order. As a result, a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with this Order. A copy can be obtained from the Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ and on the Welsh Government’s website at www.gov.wales.

(1)

1983 c. 2. Paragraph 15 of Schedule 4A was inserted by section 27(5) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22). The power of the Secretary of State to make an Order under paragraph 15(1) was transferred to the Welsh Ministers by article 45 of, and paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to, the Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/644).

(2)

Paragraph 13A was inserted by regulation 4(1) of S.I. 2024/428.