Commentary on Sections Part 2 Elected Bodies and Their Members Chapter 1: Arrangements for Local Government Section 51 – Community reviews and implementation
125.Section 51 amends section 22 of the 2013 Act to require county or county borough councils to publish an annual report by no later than 1 July each year on the performance of its functions under Part 3 of the 2013 Act and section 76 of the Local Government Act 1972. This report should explain the performance of its functions so far as the functions relate to community names, community boundary changes, community council changes and community electoral arrangements during the year. A copy of the report must be sent to the Commission and the Welsh Ministers.
126.This section also amends section 31 of the 2013 Act to clarify the duty of a county or county borough council to conduct a review of the electoral arrangements for each community in its area at least once in every review period (12 years). The Welsh Ministers may make regulations to amend the length and start date of the review period.
127.This section also amends section 33(3) of the 2013 Act to require that county or county borough councils take account of special geographical considerations, in particular, the size, shape and accessibility of a community ward together with any local ties connected to the use of the Welsh language when conducting a review of community electoral arrangements.