Appointment of New Members to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales announced
Cyhoeddi Penodi Aelodau Newydd i Gomisiwn Ffiniau a Democratiaeth Leol Cymru
Minister for Finance and Local Government Rebecca Evans has today announced the appointment of Michael Imperato and Frank Cuthbert as members of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.
The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales keeps under review the electoral arrangements for the 22 principal councils, including the number of councillors and wards in each council area.
Michael Imperato is a director at Watkins and Gunn solicitors. He is an independent member of Cardiff & the Vale Health Board, a member of the panel of chairmen of the Valuation Tribunal of England, a visiting scholar at Swansea University and trustee of the Bevan Foundation. He will join the Commission from 1 March.
Before retiring in 2018, Frank Cuthbert led a team in Welsh Government’s Local Democracy Division, and was responsible for advising Welsh Ministers on policy and legislative proposals in relation to the Commission. He will join the Commission from 1 April.
Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans said:
“I am pleased to appoint Michael Imperato and Frank Cuthbert as members of the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.
“They will bring invaluable experience and insight to the Commission as it considers what improvements can be made to its review process before beginning the next programme of electoral reviews”.
This appointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.
Michael Imperato and Frank Cuthbert will be paid a daily fee of £198 per day with a time commitment of 1-2 days per month.
Notes to editors
- The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales was established in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It was re-named the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales in 2013 under the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (the 2013 Act).
- The role of the Commission is to keep under review all local government areas in Wales, and the electoral arrangements for the principal areas, and to make such proposals to the Welsh Government as seem desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government.
- The 2013 Act provides that the Commission must consist of a Chair, Deputy Chair and not more than 3 other members. Members of the Commission are appointed by Welsh Ministers and hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms and conditions set out by Welsh Ministers.
- All appointments are made on merit and in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.