ELECTIONS AND ELECTED BODIES (WALES) BILL

• Adjustments to the role and remit of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales (the Commission), including changes to the name and function of its audit committee, significant strengthening of electoral review arrangements, and the conferring of functions on the Commission to undertake the majority of the functions currently undertaken by the Panel. [...] • The disqualification of town and community councillors in Wales from serving as Members of the Senedd and the removal of the existing “grace period” for principal councillors elected to the Senedd and Members of the Senedd elected as Members of Parliament. [...] While the Senedd did not consent to the provisions in the 2022 Act applying to Welsh elections, this was on the basis of the Senedd reserving the right to scrutinise legislation relating to Welsh elections. [...] The Welsh Ministers propose to go further than the review’s recommendation and based on the synergies between the Panel and the Commission, they intend to abolish the Panel and to confer the remuneration functions undertaken by the Panel on the Commission, with the exception of the function relating to the salaries of chief executives which will cease with the abolition of the Panel. [...] The purpose and intended effect of this provision is to make changes to the current disqualification regime for Members of the Senedd in Wales to support fairness, equality, and accountability of the Senedd and local government.