The Welsh Government introduced the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill to the Senedd in November 2019. The Bill proposes to reform the legislative framework for local government electoral arrangements, democracy, performance and governance.
The Equality, Local Government and Communities (ELGC) Committee agreed that the Senedd should agree to the general principles of the Bill. The Committee was not in agreement however on some specific aspects of the Bill, such as extending the franchise to foreign citizens legally resident in Wales to vote in local elections in Wales.
The Stage 1 debate on the general principles of the Bill was held in Plenary on 8 April 2020.
Stage 2 proceedings took place in ELGC Committee sessions on 2 October and 9 October 2020.
Stage 3 commenced on 12 October 2020, and the Senedd is due to debate Stage 3 amendments in Plenary on 10 November 2020.
Read the briefing here: Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill - Stage 2 (PDF 260KB)
Article by Osian Bowyer, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament
