Commentary on Sections Section 17 – Directions and guidance to Commission
35.Section 17 makes provision for the matters which must or can be addressed within a direction made under section 16. Within any such direction, the Welsh Ministers must specify the date by which the Commission must provide its report on its initial review of a proposed principal area. A direction may specify matters to which the Commission must have regard when conducting an initial review. The Welsh Ministers are also enabled to issue general directions to the Commission on carrying out initial reviews, including the order in which the Commission must carry out the individual reviews; however, before issuing a general direction, the Welsh Ministers must consult the Commission and any association which the Welsh Ministers consider to be representative of local authorities.
36.Section 17 also provides that the Welsh Ministers may vary or revoke any direction issued to the Commission by way of a subsequent direction. It also enables the Welsh Ministers to issue a further direction under section 16 to the Commission in relation to a proposed principal area after the Commission has conducted and reported on an initial review of that proposed principal area.
37.The Commission is required to comply with a direction given to it under section 16 or 17 and must also have regard to any guidance the Welsh Ministers issue about initial reviews of proposed principal areas.