Decision details

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication provided Members with an overview of the duties placed upon the Authority through the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, which received royal assent on the 20^th January 2021.  Members were advised that in accordance with the requirements of the Act, a number of actions would need to be addressed to ensure RCT comply with the legislative requirements.

The Service Director provided Members with a general overview of the Act which will change the way the Council operates across a range of areas from electoral reform, public participation, governance and performance management, democratic processes and stronger working arrangements with Town and Community Councils.  Members were advised that the ‘Coming into Force’ provisions of the Act were complex, with some provisions coming into force within days of Royal Assent, others within two months and the majority via Ministerial statutory instruments. 

The Deputy Leader welcomed the report and spoke of the work of the Democratic Services Committee working group looking at aspects of the Act in respect of diversity within democracy.  The Deputy Leader agreed that different elements of the Act would be reported to respective Committees when appropriate.

The Leader spoke positively on the introduction of the youth vote which is contained within the Act and spoke of the importance of encouraging  diversity within democracy, to ensure all residents are represented equally.

Following discussions, it was RESOLVED to:

1.    To note the update provided in the report.

2.    To note the Council’s position statement outlined within  the report in respect of the requirements of the Act and agreed that the appropriate officers identified are charged with taking forward the required actions in line with the timescales stipulated within the Act or as relevant regulations are made by Welsh Government.