22.—(1) F40[(a) A county council, a city council or a city and county council may by resolution adopt a proposal (in this section referred to as a "proposal") for the alteration of the number of members of that council.]

(b) A proposal under paragraph (a) and a public notice under paragraph (d) shall specify the current number of members of the authority and the number by which it is proposed to be altered and whether by way of increase or decrease.

(c) It is necessary for the adoption of a proposal under paragraph (a) that at least one-half of the total number of members of the authority vote in favour of the resolution.

(d) Before adopting a proposal the local authority shall invite submissions on it from the public by way of a public notice and the authority shall consider any submissions received.

(e) Following the adoption of a resolution under this subsection a local authority may make application to the Minister for an alteration in the number of members.

(2) Where an application has been duly made to the Minister under subsection (1), the Minister may by order alter the number of members of the F40[county council, city council or city and county council] concerned, whether or not to the extent proposed.

F40[(3) Before deciding whether to make an order under subsection (2), the Minister shall request a committee in accordance with section 32 of the Local Government Act 1991 to prepare a report with respect to the application and Part V of that Act applies to such a request and report.]

(4) An order under subsection (2) shall not apply to any local elections which occur within 6 months of the making of the order but shall apply to any subsequent local elections.

(5) F41[…]

F40[(6) An application under this section shall not be made to the Minister within 5 years of—

(a) the commencement of section 15 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 (which inserts a new Schedule 7 to this Act), or

(b) the decision by the Minister on any previous application by the local authority concerned,

whichever is the later.]