From 8 January 2026, Wales’ local democracy set‑up is formally updated in UK law. A new Order removes the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and inserts the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru into the official list of devolved Welsh authorities. It was signed off at the Privy Council on 10 December and laid before Parliament on 17 December 2025.

Welsh Government guidance is clear: “The Panel will be dissolved with effect from 1 April 2025, when its functions will transfer to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.” From that handover, one body sets the pay framework for councillors and members of National Park Authorities, Fire and Rescue Authorities and Corporate Joint Committees.

The legal route here is straightforward. Section 12 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024 renamed the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales. Sections 56–57 of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 abolished the remuneration panel and gave its duties to the DBCC. The new Order simply updates Schedule 9A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 so Westminster and Cardiff are using the same names.

For councils in North Wales and partners over the border in Cheshire and Merseyside, this means one Welsh commission to deal with boundaries, the Electoral Management Board and the pay framework. That should simplify cross‑border work around Wrexham, Deeside and Chester where public bodies plan services jointly and firms trade daily.

Money matters for town halls. In September, the Commission proposed a 2026–27 basic councillor salary of £21,044, a 6.4% rise linked to average Welsh earnings (ASHE 2024). Draft proposals were out for consultation to 18 November, with the final determinations due by 28 February each year. Finance leads in Welsh councils will want that in their budgets now.

On representation, the DBCC confirmed Wales’ 16 new Senedd constituencies on 11 March 2025 for the 2026 election, with six Members returned from each using D’Hondt. One of those is Fflint Wrecsam, pairing Alyn and Deeside with Wrexham-an area that looks to Cheshire and the Liverpool City Region every day for jobs and services.

Timings are tight but modest in scope. The Order comes into force on 8 January 2026. No separate impact assessment was produced, with officials expecting no significant effect on the private, voluntary or public sectors. This is legal housekeeping to reflect reforms already agreed by the Senedd and the UK Parliament.

The Privy Council Office has already logged the 10 December meeting that approved a slate of orders. As the Commons Library notes, Orders in Council are settled in advance; the King says “approved” and the Clerk signs. Richard Tilbrook’s signature will appear on the Order, as usual.

For the North, the practical takeaway is fewer hand‑offs when dealing with Welsh partners. Pay decisions and boundary reviews sit with one commission, and the statute book now reflects that reality. For organisations that straddle the Dee, small tidying‑ups like this remove friction and save time.

What to watch in early 2026: a new DBCC chair, Karen Jones, steps in for the run‑up to the 2026 Senedd election, and the Commission wraps its remuneration work before publishing final determinations by 28 February.