LDBCW responds to Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill
The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales notes the laying of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill today (18 September).
If passed, the bill would see 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. The bill would see the Commission being renamed the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.
The first review to be undertaken by the Commission under the proposed legislation would be to create 16 Senedd constituencies by pairing the 32 parliamentary constituencies recently recommended by the Boundary Commission for Wales.
The new constituencies would take effect at the 2026 Senedd elections.
These constituencies would in turn be amended by a further review to be completed in time for the 2030 Senedd elections.
Responding to the laying of the bill, Chief Executive of LDBCW, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ DL said:
“The Commission welcomes the laying of this bill and looks forward to engaging constructively with Welsh Government and other partners as we prepare to adopt responsibility for Senedd Cymru boundary reviews, depending on the legislation passing.
“The Commission looks forward to playing its part in ensuring that Wales’ democracy and institutions are fit for the future, and eagerly awaits the national conversation that will begin as the Commission opens its consultations on the first Senedd boundary review.”
- The Welsh Government statement is viewable here: Written Statement: Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill (18 September 2023) | GOV.WALES