I therefore call the Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans.   

The Llywydd took the Chair.

Motion NDM7865 Lesley Griffiths

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Wales) Rules 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 23 November 2021.

Motion NDM7866 Lesley Griffiths

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Local Elections (Communities) (Wales) Rules 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 23 November 2021.

Motions moved.

Elections are essential to our democracy, and anything that impacts them should be taken seriously. I'm pleased to bring these regulations before you and to hear the views of colleagues in the Chamber today on the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Wales) Rules 2021 and the Local Elections (Communities) (Wales) Rules 2021. For the first time ever, the legislation to be debated consolidates—.

I think I was having some technical issues there, Llywydd. I'm not sure how far I got into my remarks before you lost me, but I'll try and return to—. Hello, Llywydd.

Can I be heard at this point?

I can hear you. 

Okay. I think we heard everything you said there, Rebecca, so you can resume. We can still hear you.

Great, okay. I'm going to switch to my paper copy because my screen isn't working properly. 

All right, okay. Your screen is working fine for the purposes of being seen and heard.

Okay. Diolch, Llywydd. For the first time ever, the legislation to be debated consolidates the rules for local elections bilingually, and is specifically tailored to Welsh elections and our own franchise. I want to thank the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for their consideration of these two large pieces of legislation, for highlighting the clarity of the supporting documentation, and welcoming the consolidation of the law in this area.

The existing rules that govern the administration of our elections generally worked well, and ensured our electoral processes are transparent and fair. But, they were drawn up on an England and Wales basis and were written in English only. The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Wales) Rules 2021 and the Local Elections (Communities) (Wales) Rules 2021 consolidate the law in this area where necessary, modernise the language and make it more accessible. Most importantly, these statutory instruments make the practical changes to the rules for council elections in Wales, made necessary by the new franchise included in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. 

This will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds and qualifying foreign citizens will be able to vote in local government elections in Wales. The rules that we're debating are the culmination of an in-depth period of consultation that began with the devolution of electoral law to Wales, and the 'Electoral reform in local government in Wales' consultation document in 2017. Whilst the majority of the practices that ensure the smooth running of our elections remain unchanged, some important new rules will be introduced, many of which will help to make standing as a candidate more accessible.

Candidates at local elections will have the option not to publish their home address, if they wish. Returning officers must make arrangements for candidates to submit their nomination papers electronically. Candidates at principal council elections will be able to self-nominate and will no longer need to obtain the names of 10 local elector subscribers. Candidates at community council elections will also be able to self-nominate, and will not need to obtain the names of two local elector subscribers.

Candidates will need to include on nomination forms details of political party membership in the preceding 12 months. This will provide important additional information to the electorate. The new rules have retained the current formulas associated with the number of polling and counting agents who may be present at the count. These have been retained in light of responses to the consultation and learning from the running of the Senedd election counts last year. I look forward to hearing the views of Members.

Well, I'm afraid to say you're going to be disappointed, because I have nobody to call at this point. Nobody has expressed an intention to speak. I can't see anybody volunteering at this point to share their views with you, Minister. I suspect that you don't need, then, to respond to anything that's not been said, unless you want to say anything as a closing remark.

No, I just thank again the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for their consideration of the work. I know that colleagues will agree with me that having a set of rules specifically for Welsh local elections will vastly improve the accessibility of the law in this area, and it is a really significant step forward for Welsh elections. Diolch.

Thank you. Thank you, Minister. The proposal is to agree the motion under item 9. Does any Member object? No. I don't see an objection, and therefore the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The next proposal is to agree the motion under item 10. Does any Member object? I see no objections to that either. The motion is therefore agreed.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.