§ Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local government boundary reviews being carried out under the current review process(a) have been completed and (b) are awaiting completion; when each of the outstanding reviews is due to be completed; and if the 1999 unitary council elections within all unitary authorities will take place within the new local government boundaries. [43491]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsFollowing local government reorganisation 2 boundary reviews were completed in February 1996 by the Local Government Boundary Commission. A further boundary review is being undertaken by the Commission, and is expected to be completed by Spring 1999. The 1999 local government592W elections will take account of the 2 boundary reviews completed in February 1996. It will not be possible to take account of the most recent boundary review in time for these elections.
In addition to these boundary reviews the Commission is undertaking a review of the electoral arrangements in all Welsh local authorities following local government reorganisation. It has submitted 14 reports to the Secretary of State to date, and a further report is expected shortly. The final 7 reports have yet to be completed. The outstanding reports have to be submitted to the Secretary of State by 1 December 1999. The Secretary of State is still considering whether these reports should be implemented in time for the May 1999 elections, in the context of his consultation on the modernisation agenda for local government.