Commentary on Sections Part 3 of Schedule 11: Transition committees of merging councils and restructuring councils Chapter 5: Supplementary Section 148 – Initial procedure for restructuring regulations
665.Section 148 sets out an enhanced procedure for the approval of restructuring regulations by the Senedd (this section does not apply to merger regulations).
666.The Welsh Ministers must lay before the Senedd a proposed draft of the restructuring regulations, an explanation of why the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that, unless restructuring regulations are made, effective and convenient local government is not likely to be achieved in the area of the council under consideration and details of the consultation undertaken about the restructuring proposal.
667.The proposed draft of the restructuring regulations and the required accompanying documents must be laid before the Senedd no less than 60 days before laying the final draft of the regulations before the Senedd for the purpose of obtaining the Senedd’s approval by way of affirmative resolution (see section 174(4)).
668.At the end of the 60 days, if the Welsh Ministers lay before the Senedd the final draft of the restructuring regulations, they must be accompanied by a statement which sets out what representations have been received since the proposed draft regulations were laid and what changes, if any, have been made in the final draft regulations.
669.The enhanced procedure does not apply to regulations made only for the purpose of amending restructuring regulations.