Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
I am minded to change the year in which the ordinary election of councillors on the County of Anglesey is to be held by one year from May 2012 to May 2013.
In March 2011, following a report and recommendation from the Auditor General for Wales, I instructed the Local Government Boundary Commission to conduct a review of the electoral arrangements in the County of Anglesey The Direction to the Commission required them to submit their final report to Welsh Ministers by 30 September 2011.
The Commission’s work was suspended following publication of the Mathias report - an independent review of the timetabling and quality issues associated with the electoral review programme by the Commission. As a result of the Mathias review and its resultant actions the deadline for completing the review of Anglesey’s electoral arrangements could not be adhered to.
The work of the Commission has now resumed. The Commission has published its draft report on the electoral arrangements in Anglesey for consultation. The Commission’s draft report recommends considerable change. The Commission intends to publish its final report by 30 March 2012.
It will therefore not be possible to consider the Commission’s final report and, if appropriate, give effect to any changes ahead of the May 2012 local elections.
I am, therefore, minded to exercise my powers under section 87 of the Local Government Act 2000 to change the year in which the ordinary election of county councillors and town and community councillors is to be held, from May 2012 to May 2013. I propose to consult with local government, political parties and other interested parties on this proposal before arriving at a final decision on the matter.