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Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024

Type Act of Senedd Cymru
Publication 2024-06-24
Last updated 2025-07-04
State In force
Jurisdiction Wales
Department Statute Law Database
Source legislation.gov.uk
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API

PART 1 — THE SENEDD AND WELSH MINISTERS

Number of Members of the Senedd and Senedd constituencies

1

In section 1 (the Senedd) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32) (“the 2006 Act”), for subsection (2) substitute—

(2) There are— (a) 16 Senedd constituencies, and (b) six seats for each constituency, and the Senedd is to consist of the members for those constituencies.

Senedd constituencies

2
  • (1) For section 2 (Senedd constituencies and electoral regions) of the 2006 Act substitute—

(2) (1) The Senedd constituencies are the constituencies specified in regulations under section 49J of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013 (anaw 4). (2) Until the first set of regulations made under‍‍ that section takes effect, the reference in subsection (1) above to regulations under that section is to be read as a reference to regulations under paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 (asc 4).

  • (2) In section 13 of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 (c. 1) (constituencies and electoral regions)—
  • (a) omit subsection (1);
  • (b) omit subsection (2)(a).

Frequency of ordinary general elections

3
  • (1) In section 3(1) (ordinary general elections) of the 2006 Act, for “fifth” substitute “fourth”.
  • (2) In the Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), omit section 1 (frequency of ordinary general elections).

Additional Deputy Presiding Officer

4
  • (1) In section 25 (Presiding Officer etc.) of the 2006 Act—
  • (a) in subsection (1)(b), for “(referred to in this Act as “the Deputy Presiding Officer”)” substitute “(see subsection (1B)(a))”;
  • (b) after subsection (1), insert—

(1A) The Senedd may at any time elect one additional deputy presiding officer from among the Members of the Senedd (but there may be no more than one additional deputy presiding officer at any time). (1B) In this Act, “Deputy Presiding Officer” means, unless the context requires otherwise— (a) the person elected under paragraph (b) of subsection (1); (b) a person elected under subsection (1A), but in section 23(4)(b) “Deputy Presiding Officer means only the person elected under paragraph (b) of subsection (1).

;

  • (c) in subsection (2), for “is to be known as the Deputy Presiding Officer”, substitute “and a person elected under subsection (1A) are each to be known as Deputy Presiding Officer”;
  • (d) for subsection (4), substitute—

(4) A Deputy Presiding Officer holds office until the Senedd is dissolved; but the standing orders may make provision for a Deputy Presiding Officer elected under subsection (1A) to hold office for a shorter time.

;

  • (e) in subsection (5), for “Deputy Presiding Officer” substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”;
  • (f) in subsection (6)—
  • (i) after “the Deputy Presiding Officer” insert “elected under paragraph (b) of subsection (1)”;
  • (ii) after “Members of the Senedd” insert “(and references in this section to a person elected under paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) include a reference to a person elected under this subsection)”;
  • (g) in subsection (7), after “the Deputy Presiding Officer” insert “elected under paragraph (b) of subsection (1)”;
  • (h) after subsection (7), insert—

(7A) Subject to subsection (9), a Deputy Presiding Officer elected under subsection (1A) must not belong to— (a) the same political group as either the Presiding Officer or Deputy Presiding Officer elected under paragraph (b) of subsection (1), or (b) where the Presiding Officer and the Deputy Presiding Officer elected under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) both belong to political groups without an executive role, a political group without an executive role.

;

  • (i) in subsection (9), for “subsection (7) is not to apply” substitute “one or both of subsections (7) and (7A) are not to apply”;
  • (j) in subsection (10), for “the Deputy Presiding Officer” substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”;
  • (k) in subsection (11), for “the Deputy Presiding Officer” substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”;
  • (l) in subsection (12), for paragraph (b), substitute—

(b) the office of Deputy Presiding Officer is vacant or, for any reason, no Deputy Presiding Officer is able to act.

;

  • (m) in subsection (13), for “Deputy Presiding Officer” substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”.
  • (2) In section 20(3)(b) (remuneration of Members of the Senedd) of the 2006 Act, for “Deputy Presiding Officer” substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”.
  • (3) In section 41 (proceedings by or against the Senedd) of the 2006 Act—
  • (a) in subsection (2)(a), for “Deputy Presiding Officer”, substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”;
  • (b) in subsection (4)(b), for “Deputy Presiding Officer” substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”.
  • (4) In section 159 (index of defined expressions) of the 2006 Act, omit the entry for “the Deputy Presiding Officer”.
  • (5) In paragraph 16A(6) of Schedule 1 (chairing of the Llywydd’s Committee) to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41), for “the Deputy Presiding Officer” substitute “a Deputy Presiding Officer”.

Increase in maximum number of Welsh Ministers

5

In section 51 (limit on number of Ministers) of the 2006 Act—

  • (a) in subsection (1), for “twelve” substitute “17”;
  • (b) after subsection (2) insert—

(3) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend subsection (1) to increase the maximum number of holders of a relevant Welsh Ministerial office— (a) from 17 to 18 or 19; (b) from 18 to 19. (4) The power in subsection (3) may not be used to lower the maximum number (including by revoking regulations made under that subsection). (5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) may not be made unless‍— (a) a draft of the instrument has been laid before‍ the Senedd, and (b) the number of Members of the Senedd voting in favour of a resolution of the Senedd approving the draft is at least two-thirds of the total number of Senedd seats.

Disqualification from being a Member of the Senedd or a candidate

6

In Part 1 of Schedule 1A (disqualification) to the 2006 Act, after paragraph 7 insert—

(8) A person who is not registered in the register of local government electors at an address within a Senedd constituency.

Review of possible job-sharing of offices relating to the Senedd

7
  • (1) The Presiding Officer must table a motion that complies with subsection (2)—
  • (a) as soon as practicable after the first meeting of the Senedd following the first general election held after‍ 7 November 2025, and
  • (b) in any event, no later than six months after the first meeting of the Senedd following that election.
  • (2) The motion must propose that—
  • (a) the Senedd establish a committee for the purpose of carrying out a review of the extent to which—
  • (i) persons should be able to jointly hold any relevant office;
  • (ii) a person should be able to temporarily hold a relevant office while the person appointed or elected to that office is unavailable, and
  • (b) the committee prepare a report on the review, setting out its recommendations.
  • (3) In subsection (2)(a), “relevant office” means the office of—
  • (a) Member of the Senedd;
  • (b) Presiding Officer;
  • (c) Deputy Presiding Officer;
  • (d) member of the Senedd Commission (appointed in accordance with section 27 of the 2006 Act);
  • (e) First Minister;
  • (f) Welsh Minister (appointed under section 48 of the 2006 Act);
  • (g) Deputy Welsh Minister (appointed under section 50 of the 2006 Act);
  • (h) Counsel General.
  • (4) Subsection (5) applies if, following a review‍ of any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a) by a committee established pursuant to a motion tabled in accordance with subsection (1), a report on the review is laid before the Senedd by the committee.
  • (5) If this subsection applies, the Welsh Ministers must lay before the Senedd a statement that—
  • (a) sets out the Welsh Ministers’ response to the report mentioned in subsection (4), and
  • (b) sets out what steps, if any, the Welsh Ministers intend to take in relation to any recommendations in the report.

PART 2 — VOTING SYSTEM AT SENEDD GENERAL ELECTIONS AND ALLOCATION OF SEATS

General elections

8

For sections 6 to 9 of the 2006 Act (voting and seat allocation at general elections) substitute—

(6) (1) Each person entitled to vote at a general election in a Senedd constituency may give a vote for— (a) a registered political party that has submitted a list of candidates to be Members of the Senedd for the constituency, or (b) an individual who is a candidate (“an individual candidate”) to be a Member of the Senedd for the constituency. (2) An order under section 13 must provide for the ballot paper used at a general election in a Senedd constituency to include the names of the candidates who stand nominated to be Members of the Senedd for the constituency. (‍3) In this Act “registered political party” means a party registered under Part 2 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. ‍41). (7) (1) A registered political party may submit a list of candidates to be Members of the Senedd for a particular Senedd constituency at a general election. (2) The list must be submitted to the constituency returning officer. (3) The list must not include more than eight people (but may include only one). (4) The list must not include a person— (a) who is included on another list submitted under this section (whether for the constituency or another constituency); (b) who is an individual candidate to be a Member of the Senedd (whether for the constituency or another constituency). (5) A person may not be an individual candidate to be a Member of the Senedd for a constituency if that person is— (a) included on a list submitted under this section (whether for the constituency or another constituency); (b) an individual candidate to be a Member of the Senedd for another constituency. (6) In this Act “constituency returning officer”, in relation to a Senedd constituency, means the person designated as the returning officer for the constituency in accordance with an order under section 13 (power of the Welsh Ministers to make provision about elections etc.). (8) (1) This section and section 9 are about the allocation, to registered political parties or individual candidates, of the seats for a Senedd constituency at a general election. (2) For each registered political party by which a list of candidates has been submitted under section 7 (candidates at general elections) for the constituency— (a) the votes given in the constituency for the party are to be added up, and (b) the number arrived at under paragraph (a) is to be divided by the seat allocation divisor. (3) On the first calculation for a party under subsection (2)(b), the seat allocation divisor for the party is one (section 9 makes provision about recalculations under that subsection with an increased divisor). (4) For each individual candidate to be a Member of the Senedd for the constituency, the votes given in the constituency for the candidate are to be added up. (5) The number arrived at— (a) in the case of a registered political party, under subsection (2)(b), or (b) in the case of an individual candidate, under subsection (4), is referred to in section 9 as the “seat allocation figure” for that party or individual candidate. (9) (1) The first seat for a Senedd constituency is to be allocated to the registered political party or individual candidate with the highest seat allocation figure. (2) The second and subsequent seats for the constituency are to be allocated to the party or individual candidate with the highest seat allocation figure after any recalculation required by subsection (3) has been carried out. (3) This subsection requires a recalculation of the seat allocation figure for a registered political party— (a) for the first application of subsection (2), if the application of subsection (1) resulted in the allocation to the party of a seat for the constituency, or (b) for any subsequent application of subsection (2), if the previous application of that subsection resulted in the allocation to the party of a seat for the constituency, and each recalculation is to be carried out under section 8(2)(b) after adding one to the previous seat allocation divisor for that party. (4) An individual candidate already allocated a seat as a Member of the Senedd for the constituency is to be disregarded when applying subsection (2). (5) Seats for the constituency that are allocated to a party are to be filled by the candidates on the party’s list in the order in which they appear on the list. (6) Once a party’s list has been exhausted (by the application of subsection (1) or (2)), the party is to be disregarded when applying subsection (2). (7) If, on the application of subsection (1) or on an application of subsection (2), the highest seat allocation figure is the seat allocation figure for two or more parties or individual candidates (referred to in subsection (8) as the “tied seat allocation figure”), subsection (1) or (2) (as the case may be) applies to each of them. (8) But if subsection (7) would mean that more than the full number of seats for the constituency were allocated, subsection (1) or (2) is not to be applied until— (a) a recalculation of the seat allocation figure for any party with the tied seat allocation figure has been carried out under section 8(2)(b) after adding one to the number arrived at under section 8(2)(a), and (b) one has been added to the number arrived at under section 8(4) for any individual candidate with the tied seat allocation figure. (9) If, after that, the highest seat allocation figure is still the seat allocation figure for two or more parties or individual candidates (so it is still the case that more than the full number of seats for the constituency would be allocated), the constituency returning officer must decide between them by lots.

Vacant seats

9
  • (1) The 2006 Act is amended as follows.
  • (2) Omit section 10 (constituency vacancies).
  • (3) For section 11 (electoral region vacancies) substitute—

(11) (1) This section makes provision about what is to happen if the seat of a Member of the Senedd becomes vacant. (2) If the Member was an individual candidate when returned as a Member of the Senedd, the seat remains vacant until the next general election. (3) If the Member was returned as a Member of the Senedd from a list submitted under section 7 by a registered political party, the constituency returning officer must notify to the Presiding Officer the name of the person (if any) who is to fill the vacancy. (4) A person’s name may be notified under subsection (3) only if the person— (a) is included on the list mentioned in subsection (3), (b) is willing to serve as a Member of the Senedd, and (c) is not a person to whom subsection (5) applies. (5) This subsection applies to a person if— (a) the person is not a member of the registered political party that submitted the list, and (b) the party gives notice to the constituency returning officer that the person’s name is not to be notified to the Presiding Officer as the name of the person who is to fill the vacancy. (6) But if there is more than one person who satisfies the conditions in subsection (4), the constituency returning officer may only notify the name of whichever of them was the higher, or the highest, on the list. (7) If there is no-one who satisfies the conditions in subsection (4), the seat remains vacant until the next general election. (8) A person whose name is notified under subsection (3) is to be treated as having been declared to be returned as a Member of the Senedd on the day on which notification of the person’s name is received by the Presiding Officer. (9) For the purposes of this section, a person included on the list mentioned in subsection (3)— (a) who was returned as a Member of the Senedd at the election for which the list was submitted (even if the return was void), or (b) who was subsequently returned as a Member of the Senedd under this section (even if the return was void), is treated on and after their return as not having been included on the list.

10
  • (1) The 2006 Act is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (8).
  • (2) In section 12 (entitlement to vote)—
  • (a) in subsection (1), omit “(or of a Member of the Senedd)”;
  • (b) in subsection (2)—
  • (i) in paragraph (a) for “constituency vote, or more than one electoral region vote,” substitute “vote”;
  • (ii) after paragraph (a) insert “or”;
  • (iii) omit paragraph (c), and the “or” before it.
  • (3) In section 13 (power of the Welsh Ministers to make provision about elections etc.)—
  • (a) in subsection (2)—
  • (i) omit paragraph (e) (but not the “and” after it);
  • (ii) in paragraph (f), for “region” substitute “constituency”;
  • (b) in subsection (3), for “11(3) to (5)” substitute “11(4) to (6)”.
  • (4) In section 13A (power of the Secretary of State to make provision about the combination of polls), in subsection (1)(b) omit “, and by-elections for the return of Members of the Senedd,”.
  • (5) In section 18 (effect of disqualification), in subsection (A1) omit “or an election to fill a vacancy under section 10”.
  • (6) In section 36 (integrity)—
  • (a) omit subsection (6);
  • (b) in subsection (11)(a) omit “(apart from those in subsection (6))”.
  • (7) In section 159 (index of defined expressions), omit the entries for the following expressions—
  • (a) “constituency vote”;
  • (b) “electoral region figure”;
  • (c) “electoral region vote”;
  • (d) “regional returning officer”;
  • (e) “Senedd constituency member”;
  • (f) “Senedd electoral region”;
  • (g) “Senedd regional member”.
  • (8) In the table in Part 2 of Schedule 1A (offices that disqualify the holder), in the entry for returning officers for Senedd elections, in the second column omit “or Senedd electoral region”.
  • (9) In section 7B(6) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) (notional residence: declarations of local connection)—
  • (a) in paragraph (a)(ii), omit “or National Assembly for Wales constituency”;
  • (b) in paragraph (b), omit “or section 10 of the Government of Wales Act 2006”.
  • (10) In the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)—
  • (a) omit section 4A(8)(b)(ii) (devolved Welsh functions);
  • (b) omit section 5(2A)(c) (reports on by-elections) (but not the “or” after it);
  • (d) omit section 6A(5)(d) (attendance of representatives of Electoral Commission at elections);
  • (e) from the section 6G inserted by the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (code of practice on attendance of observers at devolved elections in Wales), omit subsection (2)(b);
  • (f) from the section 9AA inserted by the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (performance standards for devolved elections and referendums in Wales), omit subsection (6)(b)‍;
  • (g) in paragraph 25 of Schedule 1, in the sub-paragraph (2) inserted by the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (interpretation), from the definition of “devolved Welsh election” omit paragraph (b);
  • (h) in paragraph 6 of Schedule 9 (limits on campaign expenditure)—
  • (i) in sub-paragraph (1), omit “or regions”;
  • (ii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  • (11) In section 44(7) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22) (electoral area in relation to an election to the Senedd), for paragraph (b) substitute—

(b) in relation to an election to Senedd Cymru, a Senedd constituency within the meaning of section 2 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (Senedd constituencies);

.

  • (a) after paragraph (c) insert “and”;
  • (b) omit paragraph (e), and the “and” before it.
  • (a) in paragraph (1)(d)—
  • (i) omit “regional”;
  • (ii) for “electoral region vacancies” substitute “vacant seats”;
  • (b) in paragraph 3 for “subsection (3)” substitute “subsection (4)”.
  • (14) In the Wales Act 2014 (c. 29), omit section 2 (amendments of Part 1 of the 2006 Act).
  • (a) “Senedd constituency member”;
  • (b) “Senedd electoral region”;
  • (c) “Senedd regional member”.

PART 3 — DEMOCRACY AND BOUNDARY COMMISSION CYMRU

Renaming the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013

11
  • (2) That Act is referred to in this Act as “the 2013 Act”.
  • (3) In section 76 of the 2013 Act (short title), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.‍
  • (4) Part 1 of Schedule 1 makes minor and consequential amendments relating to this section.

Renaming the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales

12
  • (1) In section 2 of the 2013 Act (name and continuation of the Commission)—
  • (a) omit subsection (2);
  • (b) at the end insert—

(3) That body corporate (which was first renamed by subsection (2)) is renamed the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (referred to in this Act as “the Commission).

;

  • (c) in the heading, for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.‍
  • (2) Part 2 of Schedule 1 makes minor and consequential amendments relating to this section.

Number of members of the Commission

13

In section 4(1) of the 2013 Act (members of the Commission), for paragraph (c) substitute—

(c) at least 1 but no more than 7 other members.

Persons who may not be members or chief executive of the Commission

14
  • (1) In section 4(3) of the 2013 Act (persons who may not be appointed as members of the Commission)—
  • (a) for “The Welsh Ministers may not appoint a person who is” substitute “A member may not be”;
  • (b) for paragraph‍ (a) substitute—

(a) a member of a UK legislature;

;

  • (c) for paragraph (b) substitute—

(ba) a‍ person engaged by a member of‍ a UK legislature, under a contract of service or a contract for services, in connection with the carrying out of the member’s functions; (bb) a person engaged by a registered political party under a contract of service or a contract for services; (bc) a special advise‍r;

.

  • (2) In section 8(4) of that Act (persons who may not be appointed as chief executive)—
  • (a) for paragraph (a) substitute—

(a) a member of a UK legislature;

;‍

  • (b) for paragraph (b) substitute—

(ba) a‍ person engaged by a member of‍ a UK legislature, under a contract of service or a contract for services, in connection with the carrying out of the member’s functions; (bb) a person engaged by a registered political party under a contract of service or a contract for services; (bc) a special advise‍r;

.

  • (3) In section 72(1) of that Act (interpretation), at the appropriate places insert—
  • “member of a UK legislature” means— a Member of the Senedd; a member of the House of Commons; a member of the House of Lords; a member of the Scottish Parliament; a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly,

;

;

  • “special adviser‍” means a special adviser within the meaning of— Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 (c. 25), or section 1 of the Civil Service (Special Advisers) Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (c. 8 (N.I.)).
  • (4) In Schedule 3 to that Act (index of defined expressions), in table 2—
  • (a) after the entry for “mandatory consultees” insert—
Member of a UK legislature” (Aelod o un o ddeddfwrfeydd y DU) Section 72(1)

;

  • (b) after the entry for “qualifying public body” insert—
Registered political party (Plaid wleidyddol gofrestredig) Section 72(1)

;

  • (c) after the entry for “single member area” insert—
Special adviser (Cynghorydd arbennig) Section 72(1)

.

Quorum for meetings of the Commission

15

In section 6 of the 2013 Act (proceedings of the Commission), after subsection (1) insert—

(1A) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend subsection (1) to change the quorum, but may not change the quorum to a number which is lower than 3.

Assistant commissioners

16
  • (1) In section 11 of the 2013 Act (assistant commissioners to whom functions relating to local government may be delegated)—
  • (a) for subsection (1) substitute—

(1) The Commission may appoint one or more persons (to be known as an “assistant commissioner) to whom the Commission may delegate functions in accordance with section 13(1).

;

  • (b) in subsection (2)—
  • (i) for “But the Commission may not appoint a person who is” substitute “An assistant commissioner may not be”;
  • (ii) for paragraph‍ (a) substitute‍—

(a) a member of a UK legislature;

;

  • (iii) for paragraph (b) substitute—

(ba) a‍ person engaged by a member of‍ a UK legislature, under a contract of service or a contract for services, in connection with the carrying out of the member’s functions; (bb) a person engaged by a registered political party under a contract of service or a contract for services; (bc) a special adviser‍;

.

  • (2) In section 13(1) of that Act (delegation), for “an assistant commissioner” substitute “one or more assistant commissioners”.
  • (3) In the table in Part 2 of Schedule 1A to the 2006 Act (offices that disqualify the holder from being a Member of the Senedd or a candidate in an election to be a Member of the Senedd), after the entry for “Comptroller and Auditor General or Rheolwr ac Archwilydd Cyffredinol” insert—
‍Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru or Comisiwn Democratiaeth a Ffiniau Cymru The members, assistant commissioners and chief executive of the Commission

.

PART 4 — SENEDD CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARY REVIEWS

Senedd constituencies for a general election held after 6 April 2026 and before regulations under section 49J of the 2013 Act take effect

17

Schedule 2 makes provision about the Senedd constituencies for which Members of the Senedd will be elected at‍ a general election the poll for which is held after 6 April 2026 and before the first set of regulations made under section 49J of the 2013 Act takes effect; and in particular, about the functions of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru in determining what those constituencies are to be.

Senedd constituencies for general elections held after regulations under section 49J of the 2013 Act take effect

18

Schedule 3 inserts a new Part 3A into the 2013 Act; that Part makes provision about the functions of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru in determining the Senedd constituencies for which Members of the Senedd will be elected at general elections the polls for which are held after‍ the first set of regulations made under section 49J of the 2013 Act takes effect.

PART 5 — REVIEW OF OPERATION OF ACT ETC. AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

Review of operation of Act etc.

Review of operation of Act etc. after 2026 general election

19
  • (1) The Presiding Officer must table a motion that complies with subsection (2)—
  • (a) as soon as practicable after the first meeting of the Senedd following the first general election held after 6 April 2026, and
  • (b) in any event, no later than six months after the first meeting of the Senedd following that election.
  • (2) The motion must propose that—
  • (a) the Senedd establish a committee for the purpose of carrying out a review of—
  • (i) the operation and effect of the provisions of the 2006 Act that are amended, or inserted into that Act, by Parts 1 and 2 of this Act (the Senedd and its Members, the number of Welsh Ministers, and the voting system in general elections etc.);
  • (ii) the extent to which the elements of a healthy democracy are present in Wales, and
  • (b) a report on the review must be completed by the committee no later than twelve months after the first meeting of the Senedd following the first general election held after 6 April 2026.
  • (3) Subsection (4) applies if, following a review of any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a) by a committee established pursuant to a motion tabled in accordance with subsection (1), a report on the review is laid before the Senedd by the committee.
  • (4) If this subsection applies, the Welsh Ministers must lay before the Senedd a statement that sets out the Welsh Ministers’ response to the report mentioned in subsection (3).

General

Power to make consequential, transitional etc. provision

20
  • (1) If the Welsh Ministers consider it appropriate for the purposes of, in consequence of, or for giving full effect to any provision of this Act or made under this Act they may, by regulations, make—
  • (a) supplementary, incidental or consequential provision;
  • (b) transitional, transitory or saving provision.
  • (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may amend, repeal, revoke or modify this Act or any other enactment (whenever passed or made).

Power to set Senedd election campaign expenditure limits in connection with section 1 and Part 2

21
  • (1) The Welsh Minsters may by regulations, in connection with section 1 and Part 2, amend paragraph 6 of Schedule 9 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) (limits on campaign expenditure) to set the limits applying to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party that contests one or more constituencies at a general election.
  • (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may set limits by reference to either or both—
  • (a) the number of constituencies contested by a party at a general election;
  • (b) the number of candidates on a list submitted by a party under section 7 of the 2006 Act.
  • (3) Regulations under subsection (1) may make—
  • (a) supplementary, incidental or consequential provision;
  • (b) transitional, transitory or saving provision,

and such provision may amend, repeal, revoke or modify this Act or any other enactment (whenever passed or made).

  • (4) The Welsh Ministers may make regulations under subsection (1) only with the consent of the Electoral Commission.
  • (5) In this section, “campaign expenditure” and “registered party” have the same meaning as in paragraph 6 of Schedule 9 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Regulations under this Act

22
  • (1) This section does not apply to regulations made under paragraph 9 of Schedule 2.
  • (2) A power to make regulations under this Act is exercisable by statutory instrument.
  • (3) A power to make regulations under this Act includes power to make‍ different provision for different purposes‍.‍
  • (4) A statutory instrument containing regulations‍—
  • (a) made under section 20 that amend, repeal or modify an enactment contained in primary legislation, or
  • (b) made under section 21,‍

may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Senedd.

  • (5) Any other statutory instrument containing regulations made under section 20 is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Senedd.
  • (6) In this section, “primary legislation” means—
  • (a) an Act of Senedd Cymru;
  • (b) an Assembly Measure;
  • (c) an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Interpretation

23

In this Act—

  • “the 2006 Act” (“Deddf 2006”) is to be interpreted in accordance with section 1;
  • “the 2013 Act” (“Deddf 2013”) is to be interpreted in accordance with section 11(2);
  • “general election” (“etholiad cyffredinol”) means an ordinary general election or an extraordinary general election held under Part 1 of the 2006 Act;
  • “the Senedd” (“y Senedd”) means Senedd Cymru.

Transitional provision relating to Parts 1 and 2

24
  • (1) Despite the coming into force, under section 25(2)(a) and (b), of the amendments made by sections 1 and 2 and Part 2, they do not have effect in relation to—
  • (a) a general election the poll for which is held on or before 6 April 2026;
  • (b) a Senedd returned at a general election the poll for which is held on or before 6 April 2026 (which includes the Senedd that passed the Bill for this Act);
  • (c) the return of a Member to a Senedd mentioned in paragraph (b) (at a general election or otherwise).
  • (2) Despite the coming into force, under section 25(2)(a), of the amendment made by section 6, it does not have effect in relation to a person who is a Member of, or a candidate (whether or not at a general election) to be a Member of, a Senedd mentioned in subsection (1)(b).
  • (3) If, under section 25(3), section 3 comes into force on the day after the day of the poll for an extraordinary general election, subsection (4) applies for the purposes of determining when the first ordinary general election that follows that extraordinary general election is to be held.
  • (4) If this subsection applies, section 3(1) of the 2006 Act is to be read as if for the words “the fourth calendar year following that in which the previous ordinary election was held” there were substituted “2030”.

Coming into force

25
  • (1) The following provisions come into force on the day after the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent—
  • (a) Part 3;
  • (b) section 17 and Schedule 2;
  • (c) this Part, other than‍ sections 19 and 21.
  • (2) The following provisions come into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent—
  • (a) sections 1, 2, 6 and 7;
  • (b) Part 2;
  • (c) section 18 and Schedule 3;
  • (d) section 19‍;
  • (e) section 21.
  • (3) Section 3 comes into force on the day after the day of the poll for the first general election held after 7 November 2025.
  • (4) Sections‍ 4 and 5 come into force on the day after the day of the poll for the first general election held after 6 April 2026.

Short title

26

The short title of this Act is the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024.

SCHEDULE 1

PART 1 — AMENDMENTS RELATING TO CHANGE OF SHORT TITLE OF 2013 ACT

Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)

1
  • (1) The Local Government Act 1972 is amended as follows.
  • (3) In section 30 (restriction on community applications during and after reviews)—
  • (a) in subsection (1)(ba), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”;
  • (b) in subsection (3), for “or Part 3 of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “under Part 3 of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.
  • (4) In section 31(2) (provision supplementary to sections 27A to 27L), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.
  • (5) In section 246(9) (preservation of powers, privileges and rights of existing cities or boroughs), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Police Act 1996 (c. 16)

2

In section 1(2)(a) of the Police Act 1996 (police areas), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21)

3
  • (1) The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 is amended as follows.
  • (2) In section 2 (power to create combined fire and rescue authorities)—
  • (a) in subsection (9)(c), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”;
  • (b) in subsection (10)(a), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.
  • (3) In section 4(7)(b) (combined authorities under the Fire Services Act 1947), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13)

4

In section 72(3) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (amendment of police areas: term of office of commissioner), in paragraph (c) of the definition of “police area alteration order”, for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4)” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

The 2013 Act

5
  • (1) The 2013 Act is amended as follows.
  • (2) In section 43(1) (variation and revocation of orders), after “revoked” insert “by the Welsh Ministers, the Commission or, as the case may be, the principal council”.
  • (3) Omit section 74(1) and (2) (ongoing reviews and other savings).

Local Government (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 6)

6
  • (1) The Local Government (Wales) Act 2015 is amended as follows.
  • (2) In section 1(2) (overview), omit paragraph (e).
  • (3) Omit section 43 (proposals submitted before commencement of Part 3 of 2013 Act).

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1)

7
  • (1) The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 is amended as follows.
  • (2) In section 171(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “2013 Act”, for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.
  • (3) In the italic heading before paragraph 14 of Schedule 1, for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)

8

In Schedule 1 to the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Functions and Responsibilities) (Wales) Regulations 2007 (functions not to be the responsibility of an authority’s executive), in Part G (power to promote or oppose private Bills), in the second column of the table, for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)

9

In article 2 of the City and County of Swansea (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1080 (W. 255))

10

In article 2 of the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of Powys (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1081 (W. 256))

11

In article 2 of the County of Powys (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of Carmarthenshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1082 (W. 257))

12

In article 2 of the County of Carmarthenshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Bridgend (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1084 (W. 258))

13

In article 2 of the County Borough of Bridgend (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1111 (W. 266))

14

In article 1(4) of the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of the Isle of Anglesey (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1112 (W. 267))

15

In article 1(4) of the County of the Isle of Anglesey (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Wrexham (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1113 (W. 268))

16

In article 2 of the County Borough of Wrexham (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Neath Port Talbot (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1114 (W. 269))

17

In article 2 of the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot (Electoral Arrangements) Order (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1138 (W. 275))

18

In article 1(4) of the County Borough of the Vale of Glamorgan (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Torfaen (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1139 (W. 276))

19

In article 1(4) of the County Borough of Torfaen (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of Ceredigion (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1140 (W. 277))

20

In article 1(4) of the County of Ceredigion (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of Denbighshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1159 (W. 284))

21

In article 1(4) of the County of Denbighshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

City and County of Cardiff (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1160 (W. 285))

22

In article 1(4) of the City and County of Cardiff (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Blaenau Gwent (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1161 (W. 286))

23

In article 2 of the County Borough of Blaenau Gwent (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Conwy (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1181 (W. 292))

24

In article 2 of the County Borough of Conwy (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1)

25

In article 2 of the County of Pembrokeshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

City and County Borough of Newport (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1216 (W. 305))

26

In article 2 of the City and County Borough of Newport (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County Borough of Caerphilly (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1217 (W. 306))

27

In article 2 of the County Borough of Caerphilly (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1223 (W. 307))

28

In article 2 of the County of Gwynedd (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Monmouthshire (Communities) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1227 (W. 309))

29

In article 2(2) of the Monmouthshire (Communities) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of Flintshire (Electoral Arrangements) (No. 2) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1228 (W. 310))

30

In article 2 of the County of Flintshire (Electoral Arrangements) (No. 2) Order 2021 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

County of Monmouthshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1232 (W. 311))

31

In article 1(4) of the County of Monmouthshire (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2021 (title, commencement and interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

Monmouthshire (Communities) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/279 (W. 80))

32

In article 2(2) of the Monmouthshire (Communities) Order 2022 (interpretation), for “Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013”.

PART 2 — AMENDMENTS RELATING TO CHANGE OF NAME OF COMMISSION

Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11)

33

In Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972 (kinds of employment referred to in section 1 of that Act), under the italic heading “Royal Commissions and other Commissions”—

  • (a) omit “The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales”;
  • (b) before the entry for “Development Commission” insert—
  • Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru

.

Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)

34
  • (1) The Local Government Act 1972 is amended as follows.
  • (2) In section 30 (restriction on community applications during and after reviews)—
  • (a) in subsection (1)(ba), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”;
  • (b) in subsection (3), for “the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.
  • (3) In section 74(3A) (change of name of county etc.), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.
  • (4) In section 76(2)(a) (change of name of community), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.

House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)

35

In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (offices disqualifying for membership)—

  • (a) before the entry for “Development Commission” insert—
  • The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

;

  • (b) omit “The Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales.”

Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19)

36

In Schedule 3 to the Local Government Act 1992 (amendments consequential on Part 2), omit paragraph 11.

Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)

37

In paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 17 to the Government of Wales Act 1998 (audit etc. of Welsh public bodies), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)

38

In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (public authorities)—

  • (a) after the entry for “Defence Scientific Advisory Council”, insert—
  • The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

;

  • (b) omit “The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.”

The Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32)

39

The 2006 Act is amended as follows.

40

In section 148(2) (meaning of “Welsh public records”)—

  • (a) after paragraph (c), insert—

(ca) the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru,

;

  • (b) omit paragraph (i).
41

In the table in Part 2 of Schedule 1A (offices that disqualify the holder from being a Member of the Senedd or a candidate in an election to be a Member of the Senedd) omit the entry for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales or Comisiwn Ffiniau a Democratiaeth Leol Cymru”.

42

In table 1 in paragraph 35(3) of Schedule 11 (transitional provisions), omit the entry for section 20(1) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).

Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 1)

43

In Schedule 6 to the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (public bodies etc: standards), in the table—

  • (a) under the heading “General”, after the entry for “Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority” insert—
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (“Comisiwn Democratiaeth a Ffiniau Cymru”) Service delivery standards
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (“Comisiwn Democratiaeth a Ffiniau Cymru”) Policy making standards
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (“Comisiwn Democratiaeth a Ffiniau Cymru”) Operational standards
The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (“Comisiwn Democratiaeth a Ffiniau Cymru”) Record keeping standards

;

  • (b) omit the entry for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales”.

The 2013 Act

44
  • (1) The 2013 Act is amended as follows.
  • (2) For section 1(2) (overview), substitute—

(2) Part 2 makes provision about the constitution and functions of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

  • (3) In the heading of Part 2, for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.
  • (4) In Schedule 1 (minor and consequential amendments)—
  • (a) omit paragraph 1(3)(b);
  • (b) omit paragraphs 3 and 4 and the italic headings before them.

Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019 (anaw 3)

45

In Schedule 3 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019 (listed authorities), under the italic heading “Miscellaneous”—

  • (a) at the appropriate place insert—
  • The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

;

  • (b) omit “The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.”

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1)

46

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 is amended as follows.

47

In section 10(1) (duty to notify when resolution passed) for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.

48

In section 11 (initial review)—

  • (a) in subsection (1), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales”, substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”;
  • (b) in the heading, for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.
49

In section 138 (reviews of electoral arrangements)—

  • (a) in subsection (1), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales”, substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”;
  • (b) in subsection (2)(a), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales”, substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.
50

In paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 (initial reviews of electoral arrangements etc.), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales”, substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.

Superannuation (Admission to Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1261)

51

In paragraph 18 of Schedule 1 to the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 (contracting authorities), for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.

Welsh Language Schemes (Public Bodies) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/1898)

52

In the table in the Schedule to the Welsh Language Schemes (Public Bodies) Order 1996 omit the entry for “Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales”.

Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/341)

53

In regulation 101(2) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001, for “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales” substitute “Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru”.

Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/102)

54

In Schedule 1 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (central government authorities)—

  • (a) after “Agricultural Land Tribunal for Wales”, insert—
  • Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru

;

  • (b) omit “Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales”.

Welsh Language Standards (No 2) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/182 (W. 76))

55

In Schedule 6 to the Welsh Language Standards (No. 2) Regulations 2016—

  • (a) at the appropriate place insert—
  • The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (“Comisiwn Democratiaeth a Ffiniau Cymru”)

;

  • (b) omit “The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (“Comisiwn Ffiniau a Democratiaeth Leol i Gymru”)”.

Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/694)

56

Omit regulation 11(b) of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (amendment to the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001).

Matters the Commission may take into account in the 2026 boundary review

57

The Government of Wales Act 1998 (Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 is revoked.

Superannuation (Admission to Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/1261)

58

Omit article 8(a)(ii) of the Superannuation (Admission to Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972) Order 2017 (amendments to Schedule 1 to the Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11) to reflect changes of name).

SCHEDULE 2

Elections in relation to which this Schedule applies

1

This Schedule makes provision about the constituencies for which Members of the Senedd will be elected (“the Senedd constituencies”‍)‍ at‍ a general election the poll for which is held after 6 April 2026 and before the first set of regulations made under section 49J of the 2013 Act takes effect (or the constituencies are otherwise changed under any enactment).

Senedd constituencies and the 2026 boundary review

2
  • (1) The area of each Senedd constituency must consist of the combined areas of two contiguous UK parliamentary constituencies in Wales.
  • (2) The Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (“the Commission”) must conduct a review (“the 2026 boundary review”) in accordance with this Schedule to determine—
  • (a) which contiguous UK parliamentary constituencies in Wales are to be combined to create the areas of the 16 Senedd constituencies,
  • (b) the names of the Senedd constituencies, and
  • (c) whether each Senedd constituency is a county constituency or a borough constituency.

Notice of commencement of 2026 boundary review

3
  • (1) As soon as reasonably practicable after commencing the 2026 boundary review, the Commission must publish a notice—
  • (a) stating that the Commission has commenced the review, and
  • (b) specifying the date on which the review commenced.
  • (2) In this Schedule, “review date” means the date specified in the notice under sub-paragraph‍ (1)(b).

Matters the Commission may take into account in the 2026 boundary review

4

When considering the possible combinations of UK parliamentary constituencies in Wales, the Commission may take into account—

  • (a) local government boundaries that exist on the review date;
  • (b) special geographical considerations, including in particular the size, shape and accessibility of a proposed Senedd constituency;
  • (c) any local ties (including local ties connected to the use of the Welsh language) that would be broken by the proposed pairings.

Determining the names of the Senedd constituencies

5
  • (1) Each Senedd constituency must have‍‍ a‍ single name for the purposes of identifying the constituency in communication through Welsh and English, unless the Commission considers this would be unacceptable (in which case the constituency may have different names for the purposes of identifying it in communication through Welsh and English).
  • (2) Before making its initial report (see paragraph 6) the Commission must—
  • (a) consult the Welsh Language Commissioner on the orthography of the names proposed for identifying the Senedd constituencies, and‍
  • (b) consider its proposals having regard to any representations received from the‍ Commissioner on the orthography of the proposed names.
  • (3) A requirement under this Schedule to set out the name or proposed name of a Senedd constituency in a report is‍, where the Commission considers the constituency should have different names for the purposes of identifying it in communication through Welsh and English, a requirement to set out both names—
  • (a) in the Welsh language version of the report, and
  • (b) in the English language version of the report‍.

Initial report on the 2026 boundary review and first period for representations

6
  • (1) After taking the steps in paragraphs 3(1) and 5(2), the Commission must make an initial report setting out the proposed Senedd constituencies, including—
  • (a) which contiguous UK parliamentary constituencies in Wales are to be combined to create the areas of the 16 Senedd constituencies, and
  • (b) the proposed name of each Senedd constituency.
  • (2) The Commission must—
  • (a) publish the initial report,
  • (b) inform any person it considers appropriate of how to access the report,
  • (c) invite representations on the report, and
  • (d) notify any person it considers appropriate of the first period for representations.
  • (3) During the first period for representations the Commission must consult the Welsh Language Commissioner.
  • (4) The first period for representations is a period of four weeks, beginning with the date on which the initial report is published.

Second report on the 2026 boundary review and second period for representations

7
  • (1) At the end of the first period for representations the Commission must—
  • (a) publish a document setting out any representations received during that period (including any representations on the initial report made by the Welsh Language Commissioner when consulted under paragraph 6(3)),
  • (b) consider its proposals having regard to those representations, and
  • (c) if‍, having considered its proposals, it is considering any changes to the proposed name of a Senedd constituency as set out in the initial report—
  • (i) consult the Welsh Language Commissioner on the orthography of the proposed name, and
  • (ii) have regard to any representations made by the Commissioner on the orthography of the proposed name.
  • (2) After taking the steps in sub-paragraph (1), the Commission must make a second report setting out the proposed Senedd constituencies, including—
  • (a) which contiguous UK parliamentary constituencies in Wales are to be combined to create the areas of the 16 Senedd constituencies,
  • (b) the proposed name of each constituency, and
  • (c) details of any changes to the proposals in the initial report, and an explanation of why those changes have been made.
  • (3) The Commission must—
  • (a) publish the second report,
  • (b) inform any person it considers appropriate of how to access the report,
  • (c) invite representations on the report, and
  • (d) notify any person it considers appropriate of the second period for representations.
  • (4) During the second period for representations the Commission must consult the Welsh Language Commissioner.
  • (5) The second period for representations is a period of four weeks, beginning with the date on which the second report is published.
  • (6) At the end of that period the Commission must—
  • (a) publish a document setting out any representations received during that period (including any representations on the second report made by the Welsh Language Commissioner when consulted under sub-paragraph (4)),
  • (b) consider its proposals having regard to those representations, and
  • (c) if‍, having considered its proposals, it is considering any changes to the proposed name of a Senedd constituency as set out in the second report—
  • (i) consult the Welsh Language Commissioner on the orthography of the proposed name, and
  • (ii) have regard to any representations made by the Commissioner on the orthography of the proposed name.

Final report on the 2026 boundary review

8
  • (1) Before 1 April 2025 the Commission must—
  • (a) make and publish a final report, and
  • (b) send it to the Welsh Ministers.
  • (2) The final report must set out the Senedd constituencies, including—
  • (a) which contiguous UK parliamentary constituencies in Wales are to be combined to create the areas of the 16 Senedd constituencies,
  • (b) the name of each constituency, and
  • (c) whether each constituency is a county constituency or borough constituency.
  • (3) The final report must also specify details of any changes to the proposals set out in the second report, and explain why those changes have been made.
  • (4) A failure by the Commission to submit a report to the Welsh Ministers before 1 April 2025 does not invalidate the report.
  • (5) As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the final report, the Welsh Ministers must lay it before the Senedd.

Implementation of final report by the Welsh Ministers

9
  • (1) The Welsh Ministers must make regulations giving effect to the determinations in the Commission’s final report—
  • (a) as soon as reasonably practicable after laying the report before the Senedd, and
  • (b) in any event, unless there are exceptional circumstances, before the end of the period of 14 weeks beginning with the date the final report is laid before the Senedd.
  • (2) Where regulations are not made before the end of the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b), the Welsh Ministers must lay a statement before the Senedd setting out the exceptional circumstances.
  • (3) A statement under sub-paragraph (2) must be laid before the end of the period of 14 weeks beginning with the date the final report is laid before the Senedd.
  • (4) Further statements setting out the exceptional circumstances must be laid before the Senedd before the end of each subsequent period of four weeks beginning with the day on which the previous statement was laid, until the regulations are made.
  • (5) Regulations under this paragraph may make provision for any matters that the Welsh Ministers consider are incidental to, or consequential on, the determinations in the final report.
  • (6) Regulations under this paragraph must be made by statutory instrument.
  • (7) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this paragraph must be laid before the Senedd as soon as reasonably practicable after the regulations are made.
  • (8) The coming into force of the regulations does not affect the return of a Member of the Senedd to the Senedd, or the constitution of the Senedd, until the dissolution of the Senedd in connection with the first general election to be held after 6 April 2026.

Modification of final report by the Commission

10
  • (1) This paragraph applies where—
  • (a) the Welsh Ministers have laid the final report before the Senedd under paragraph‍ 8(5),
  • (b) the Commission considers that the report needs to be modified to correct an error or errors in respect of any of the matters mentioned in paragraph 8(2), and
  • (c) regulations have not yet been made under paragraph 9.
  • (2) The Commission may send a statement to the Welsh Ministers specifying—
  • (a) the modifications of the report, and
  • (b) the reasons for those modifications.
  • (3) The Commission must publish a statement sent to the Welsh Ministers under sub-paragraph (2).
  • (4) As soon as reasonably practicable after receiving a statement, the Welsh Ministers must lay it before the Senedd.
  • (5) Where a statement has been sent to the Welsh Ministers, the regulations made under paragraph 9 must give effect to the final report with the modifications specified in the statement.

Delegation by the Commission of functions under this Schedule

11

Section 13(1) of the 2013 Act (delegation) is to be read as if it contained a reference to the Commission’s functions under this Schedule (and accordingly those functions may be delegated under that section).

Welsh Ministers may not give directions to Commission relating to functions under this Schedule

12

Section 14 of the 2013 Act (directions) does not permit the Welsh Ministers to give the Commission a direction relating to the exercise of its functions under this Schedule.

Interpretation

13

In this Schedule—

  • “the Commission” (“y Comisiwn”) has the meaning given in paragraph 2(2);
  • “local government boundaries” (“ffiniau llywodraeth leol”) are the boundaries of counties, county boroughs, electoral wards, communities and community wards in Wales;
  • “review date” (“dyddiad yr adolygiad”) has the meaning given in paragraph 3;
  • “Senedd constituency” (“etholaeth Senedd”) is to be interpreted in accordance with paragraph 1;
  • “UK parliamentary constituency” (“etholaeth seneddol y DU”) means a constituenc‍y, specified in the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1230), returning a member of Parliament of the United Kingdom.
14

Where this Schedule imposes a duty on the Commission to publish a notice, report or other document, the notice, report or other document must be published—

  • (a) on the Commission’s website, and
  • (b) in such other manner as the Commission considers appropriate.

SCHEDULE 3

Part 3A of the 2013 Act

1

In the 2013 Act, after Part 3 insert—

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