Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 is an act of Senedd Cymru which made several reforms to local government and elections in Wales.

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

Act of Senedd Cymru
Senedd Cymru
Long title	An Act of Senedd Cymru to make provision about local government; local government finance; local government elections; electoral registration and electoral administration; and for connected purposes.
Introduced by	Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government
Status: Current legislation
History of passage through the Senedd
Text of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Provisions

The legislation allows job sharing for cabinet posts including council leader.^[1]

Foreign nationals legally resident in Wales and council employees became allowed to stand for local government elections in Wales.^[1] The act allowed 16 and 17 year olds to vote in local government elections in Wales.^[2]

The act makes provision for council meetings to be held online.^[3] This superseded regulations made during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[4]

The legislation introduces a petition scheme.^[1]

Councils became required to publish guides on their work written in "ordinary language".^[1]

Each council can choose which electoral system to use out of either first past the post or single transferable vote.^[5]