Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013

A Government Bill, introduced by Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities. Following a change in ministerial portfolios in March 2013, the First Minister authorised Lesley Griffiths AM, Minister for Local Government and Government Business, as the new Member in Charge of the Bill, from 18 March 2013. The Business Committee remitted the Bill to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.

About the Bill

The provisions of the Bill intended to reform the organisation and functions of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales. The Bill also contained provisions which amended the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 in relation to the responsibilities of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and the structure of local authority audit committees.

Current Stage

The Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (external link) became law in Wales (external link) on 30 July 2013.

Record of Passage in the National Assembly for Wales

The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the National Assembly for Wales.

Stage	Documents
Bill introduced – 26 November 2012	Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF 258KB) Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 257KB) Presiding Officer’s Statement on Legislative Competence: 26 November 2012 (PDF 150KB) Business Committee Report on the timetable for the consideration of the Bill (PDF 60KB) Report on the revised timetable for consideration of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill – 7 December 2012 (PDF 29KB) Written Statement by the Minister for Local Government and Communities: 26 November 2012 Plenary Statement: Introduction of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill: 27 November 2012 Research Service Bill Summary (PDF 375KB) Legislative Glossary – Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill (Welsh language version only) (PDF 141KB)
Stage 1 - Committee consideration of general principles	Consultation letter (PDF 300KB) Consultation responses Letter from the Minister for Local Government and Communities: Response to issues raised during Committee on 9 January 2013 (PDF 375KB) and 6 February 2013 (PDF 449KB) The Committee considered the Bill on the following dates: 9 January 2013 17 January 2013 23 January 2013 31 January 2013 6 February 2013 21 February 2013 (private) Committee Stage 1 report (PDF 742KB) Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee report (PDF 584KB)
Stage 1 - Debate in plenary on general principles	A debate took place in Plenary on 16 April 2013. The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed.
Financial Resolution	A Financial Resolution in relation to the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 16 April 2013.
Stage 2 - Committee consideration of amendments	Stage 2 consideration took place in Committee on 9 May 2013. Concise Minutes: 9 May 2013. Notice of Amendments 24 April 2013 (PDF 59KB) Notice of Amendments 25 April 2013 (PDF 121KB) Notice of Amendments 29 April 2013 (PDF 96KB) Notice of Amendments 1 May 2013 (PDF 55KB) Marshalled List of Amendments 9 May 2013 (PDF 136KB) Groupings of Amendments 9 May 2013 (PDF 64KB) Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 2 (PDF 279KB) (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by sidelining in the right margin.) Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill - Revised Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 263KB) Research Service Bill Summary 2 (PDF 136KB)
Stage 3 - Plenary consideration of amendments	Stage 3 consideration and disposal of amendments took place in Plenary on 18 June 2013. Notice of Amendments 31 May 2013 (PDF 72KB) Notice of Amendments 5 June 2013 (PDF 57KB) Notice of Amendments 6 June 2013 (PDF 85KB) Notice of Amendments 7 June 2013 (PDF 84KB) Notice of Amendments 11 June 2013 (PDF 61KB) Marshalled List of Amendments 18 June 2013 (PDF 156KB) Groupings of Amendments 18 June 2013 (PDF 63KB)
Stage 4 - Passing of the Bill in Plenary	The Bill was agreed by the Assembly in accordance with SO 12.36 on 18 June 2013. Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Bill, As Passed (PDF 234KB)
Date of Royal Assent	Royal Assent was given on 30 July 2013 (PDF 40KB).