William Eichler 18 November 2019

Welsh teenagers set to get the vote in local government ‘overhaul’

A new law to give 16- and 17-year-olds in Wales the vote in local council elections has been unveiled by the Welsh government.

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill, which is due to be introduced before the National Assembly for Wales today, provides for the establishment of a reformed legislative framework for local government elections, democracy, performance and governance.

As well as giving the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds, the Bill also aims to empower Wales’ 22 principal councils to decide for themselves which voting system to use – First Past the Post (FPTP) or Single Transferable Vote (STV).

Described as the ‘biggest change’ in the Welsh electoral system for 50 years, the Bill will enable job sharing in the council executive and help councillors to remotely attend council meetings and have periods of family absence.

Principal councils will also be allowed to merge voluntarily.

‘We believe in strong local government,’ said the minister for housing and local government Julie James, who will introduce the Bill to the National Assembly later today.

‘We want it to thrive, we want the people of Wales to feel well-represented and supported by modern public services, and we want the relationship between local government and the Welsh government to be mature and focused on our shared agenda – delivering better public services for everyone, helping people who need support, when and where they need it most.’

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill will also enable councils to pilot reforms to local government elections, such as holding elections on different days and having polling stations in different places, after 2022.

Local government will move to fixed five-year terms between elections and all foreign citizens lawfully living in Wales will have the opportunity to vote in and stand in local elections.

Electoral Registration Officers will also be granted the power to automatically add people to the electoral register.

‘This bill is introduced at a time when austerity continues, and relationships and technology are changing the way public services interact with each other, and with the communities they serve,’ said Ms James.

‘So 20 years on from devolution, this is a significant Local Government Bill which reflects the journey of devolution and will deliver a major package of reforms, including local government electoral reform.

‘It aims to provide local government with new ways to support and serve their communities in these challenging times, while reinvigorating local democracy here in Wales.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Assistant Director Strategy & Community Regeneration

Newcastle City Council
£100,592 - £106,591 per annum
Newcastle is a city fast gaining a reputation for its innovation and progress. Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Recuriter: Newcastle City Council

Contract Management and SRM Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Strengthen how we manage our contracts, build lasting supplier partnerships and deliver value for our residentsStrengthen how we manage our contracts, England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Play Ranger

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229 (pro rata for part time post)
Play Ranger£38,97... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Temporary Accommodation Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229 per annum
As with many other Boroughs in the capital, tackling homelessness is a high priority. The Temporary Accommodation Procurement Officer will be required to source new business to increase the supply of properties based on the demand by building relationship 90 Putney Bridge Road, Twickenham
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner