Local Government (Wales) Act 2015

The provisions of the Local Government (Wales) Act 2015 (‘the Act’) enable a programme of local government mergers and reform and includes provisions to facilitate the voluntary early merger of two or more Principal Local Authorities by April 2018. The Act also amends existing legislative provision in the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 (relating to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and the survey of councillors and unsuccessful candidates) and the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (relating to electoral reviews). This Act was re-named the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru etc. Act 2013 by section 11(1) of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024.

The Explanatory Notes to the Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.

Coming into force:

Most provisions of the Act came into force on 26 November 2015, which is the day after the Act received Royal Assent, in accordance with section 46(2). 

However, sections 25 to 28 and 37 to 43 came into force at the end of the period of 2 months beginning with the day on which this Act received Royal Assent, in accordance with section 46(1).

Subordinate legislation made under the Act:

No subordinate legislation has been made under the Act.

Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd:

The Bill was introduced on 26 January 2015 by Leighton Andrews AM, who was the Minister for Public Services at the time. It was passed by Senedd Cymru (then known as the National Assembly for Wales) on 20 October 2015.

More information about the Bill is available on the Senedd website including a record of the passage of the Bill through the Senedd and the Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (as revised at Stage 2).

The Act received Royal Assent on 25 November 2015.