Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012
The Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012 (‘the Act’):
- reforms procedures for making byelaws in Wales, including removing a requirement for confirmation of byelaws by the Welsh Ministers;
- enables certain byelaws to be enforced by fixed penalty notices;
- requires authorities that make byelaws to have regard to any guidance given by the Welsh Ministers on procedure;
- restates for Wales a general power to make byelaws.
The Explanatory Notes to the Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.
Coming into force
Sections 18(1) and 21 to 23 came into force on 30 November 2012, which is the day after the Act received Royal Assent, in accordance with section 22(1).
The other provisions of this Act come into force on a day appointed by the Welsh Ministers by order, in accordance with section 22(2). The following Orders have been made:
- The Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2018
- The Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012 (Commencement No. 2, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2015
- The Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2014
Subordinate legislation made under the Act
| Title | Citation number | Made date | Coming into force date | Supporting documents |
| The Local Government Byelaws (Wales) Act 2012 (Amendment) Order 2014 | 2014 No. 3111 (W. 311) | 18 November 2014 | 19 November 2014 | Explanatory Memorandum |
| The Local Government Byelaws (Fixed Penalties) (Wales) Regulations 2014 | 2014 No. 2717 (W. 273) | 9 October 201 | 7 November 2014 | Explanatory Memorandum |
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd
The Bill was introduced on 28 November 2011 by Carl Sargeant AM, who was the Minister for Local Government and Communities at the time. The Bill was passed by Senedd Cymru on 3 July 2012.
More information about the Act is available on the Senedd’s website including a record of passage of the Bill through the Senedd and the Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (as revised after Stage 2)
The Act received Royal Assent on 29 November 2012.