DBCC responds to Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill gaining Royal Assent

Royal Assent has been given to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill today (24 June).

The new legislation sees the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales adopt the responsibility to conduct periodic reviews of Senedd Cymru constituencies, as well as its current responsibilities pertaining to Local Government. Henceforth, the Commission is renamed the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

The first review to be undertaken by the Commission under the new legislation will be to create 16 Senedd constituencies by pairing the 32 parliamentary constituencies recently recommended by the Boundary Commission for Wales.

The new constituencies will take effect at the 2026 Senedd elections.

Commenting on Royal Assent being given to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) bill, Chief Executive of the newly formed Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru said:

“The Commission is pleased to see the bill being given Royal Assent, and is looking forward to continuing work with our partners on the new responsibilities given to the Commission.

“We will carry on with the work we were already doing as the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, including preparing for the next Electoral Review Programme of Wales’ local authorities, as well as the Community Reviews currently underway.

“However, the Commission will also now turn its focus to the upcoming review of Senedd constituencies, with plans in place to publish Initial Proposals in September 2024.

“The Commission would like to place on record its thanks to Members of the Senedd and other stakeholders who took on board the Commission’s comments during the passage of this bill.”