A new law to give 16- and 17-year-olds in Wales the vote in council elections has been unveiled by the Welsh Government.

The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill, which is due to be introduced before the National Assembly for Wales today, provides for the establishment of a reformed legislative framework for local government elections, democracy, performance and governance.

As well as giving the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds, the Bill aims to empower Wales' 22 principal councils to decide for themselves which voting system to use – first past the post or single transferable vote.

Described as the ‘biggest change' in the Welsh electoral system for 50 years, the Bill will enable job sharing in council executives, help councillors remotely attend meetings and have periods of family absence.

Principal councils will also be allowed to voluntarily merge.

‘We believe in strong local government,' said the minister for local government Julie James, who will introduce the Bill to the National Assembly later today.

‘We want it to thrive, we want the people of Wales to feel well-represented and supported by modern public services, and we want the relationship between local government and the Welsh Government to be mature and focused on our shared agenda – delivering better public services for everyone, helping people who need support, when and where they need it most.'

The Bill will also enable councils to pilot reforms to local government elections, such as holding elections on different days and having polling stations in different places.

Local government will move to fixed five-year terms between elections and all foreign citizens lawfully living in Wales will have the opportunity to vote in and stand.

Electoral registration officers will be granted the power to automatically add people to the electoral register.

Ms James continued: ‘This Bill is introduced at a time when austerity continues, and relationships and technology are changing the way public services interact with each other, and with the communities they serve.

‘So, 20 years on from devolution, this is a significant Local Government Bill, which reflects the journey of devolution and will deliver a major package of reforms, including local government electoral reform.

‘It aims to provide local government with new ways to support and serve their communities in these challenging times while reinvigorating local democracy here in Wales.'

Welsh Local Government Association leader, Baroness Wilcox of Newport, said: ‘The power of general competence, electoral reform and the streamlining of governance and performance requirements are particularly welcome.

‘There will inevitably, however, be some proposals that will divide opinion, including the ministerial power to establish regional corporate joint committees and some proposals have the potential to add burdens and will have budgetary implications.'?