Local Government Democracy Bill approved

The Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill, which aims to improve democratic processes concerning Local Government, has been approved by the National Assembly for Wales yesterday.

The Bill will:

 

  • reform the structure and functions of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales,
  • amend the responsibilities of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and the structure of local authority audit committees within the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011,
  • improve the public’s access to information about town and community Councils,
  • facilitate the creation of joint standards committees by local authorities; and
  • enable councils to separate the ceremonial and civic functions from the role of presiding over meetings of the council if they so wish.

Welcoming the approval of the Bill, Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths said:

“I am very pleased we have reached the final stage of the Local Government Democracy Bill, which has been subject to robust scrutiny by the Assembly.

“The Bill now provides a platform for the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales, soon to be renamed the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, to carry out its important work in ensuring democratic balance in Local Government and introduces reforms which I believe will assist and strengthen democratic processes in relation to Local Government. These reforms form an essential part of ensuring our Councils are democratically elected, representative of their communities and organised in the most effective way."

The Bill will be enacted after it has received Royal Assent and has been sealed.

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