Section 6: Taking account of local government boundaries
Section 6 amends rules 5 and 9 of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act.
	Rule 5(1) lists a number of factors which a Boundary Commission may take into account in making recommendations as part of a boundary review. Currently, rule 5(1)(b) allows a Boundary Commission to take into account local government boundaries as they exist on the most recent ordinary council-election day before the review date (the review date being the 1 December date provided for in rule 9(5) of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act). Section 6(2) replaces rule 5(1)(b), and new rule 5(1)(b) provides that a Boundary Commission may take into account local government boundaries which exist or are prospective on the review date.
	Subsection (3) of section 6 inserts new rule 5(1A) which provides that in the case of a local government boundary which is prospective on the review date, it is that boundary rather than any existing boundary which it replaces, which may be taken into account by a Boundary Commission under rule 5(1)(b).
	Subsection (4) of section 6 inserts new paragraphs (3A) and (3B) into rule 9 of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act. New paragraph (3A) provides that a local government boundary is "prospective" on the review date if on that date the boundary is specified in a provision of primary or secondary legislation but that provision is not yet in force. New paragraph (3B) defines "primary legislation" and "secondary legislation" for those purposes.