HL Deb 30 June 1994 vol 556 cc898-9

76 Schedule 3, page 56, line 20, leave out from beginning to end of line 31 and insert:

9>—(1) In this paragraph "council" means a county or district council which ceases to exist on 1st April 1996 by virtue of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.

(1A) No election of councillors of a council shall be held after 31st December 1994, except—

  1. (a) to fill a casual vacancy in the office of councilor of that council where before 31st December 1994—
    1. (i) the office has been declared to be vacant; or
    2. (ii) notice of the vacancy has been given under section 89(1) of this Act; or
  2. (b) where the number of casual vacancies in the office of councillor of a council occurring after 31st December 1994 exceeds half of the total number of such offices.

(2) Any such councillor holding office immediately before 31 st December 1994, or elected after that date to fill a casual vacancy, shall, unless he resigns his office or it otherwise becomes vacant, continue to hold office until 1st April 1996.

(2A) It shall not be necessary—

  1. (a) to fill any casual vacancy in the office of councillor of a council occurring after 31st December 1994; and accordingly section 89 of this Act shall have effect with the necessary modifications in relation to any such vacancy; or
  2. (b) to fill any casual vacancy occurring during March 1996 in the office of chairman or vice-chairman of a council.'.

Lord Rodger of Earlsferry

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 76. This amendment provides for the suspension of elections to the councils of existing district and county councils after 31st December 1994 except for the filling of casual vacancies in the circumstances described in the amendment.

The amendment also suspends the county council elections due in 1995 and prolongs to 1st April 1996 the mandates of county councillors serving at 31st December 1994.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 76.—(Lord Rodger of Earlsferry.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.