Local Government Act 1972

Changes to legislation:

Local Government Act 1972, Section 142 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 23 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

s. 80(3B) omitted by 2021 asc 1 Sch. 2 para. 1(3)(c)
s. 101(6ZA) inserted by 2023 c. 55 Sch. 12 para. 2
s. 123(2C) inserted by 2023 c. 55 s. 75

142 Provision of information, etc., relating to matters affecting local government.E+W

(1)A local authority may make, or assist in the making of, arrangements whereby the public may on application readily obtain, either at premises specially maintained for the purpose or otherwise, information concerning the services available within the area of the authority provided either by the authority or by other authorities [F1mentioned in subsection (1B) below] or by government departments or by charities and other voluntary organisations, and other information [F2relating to the functions of the authority].

[F3(1A)A local authority may arrange for the publication within their area of information as to the services available in the area provided by them or by other authorities mentioned in subsection (1B) below.

[F4(1AA)A local authority may—

(a)for the purpose of broadcasting or distributing information falling within subsection (1AB), provide an electronic communications network or electronic communications service, or

(b)arrange with the provider of such a network or service for the broadcasting or distribution of such information by means of the network or service.

(1AB)Information falls within this subsection, in relation to a local authority, if it is one or both of the following—

(a)information concerning the services within the area of the authority that are provided either by the authority themselves or by other authorities mentioned in subsection (1B) below;

(b)information relating to the functions of the authority.

(1AC)Nothing in subsection (1AA) entitles a local authority to do anything in contravention of a requirement or restriction imposed by or under—

(a)[F5Part 2 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006],

(b)the Broadcasting Act 1990,

(c)the Broadcasting Act 1996, or

(d)the Communications Act 2003,

and in that subsection “electronic communications network” and “electronic communications service” each has the same meaning as in the Communications Act 2003.]

(1B)The other authorities referred to above are any other local authority, F6... a joint authority established by Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985 [F7, an economic prosperity board, a combined authority] [F8, a combined county authority] and any authority, board or committee which discharges functions which would otherwise fall to be discharged by two or more local or other such authorities.]

(2)A local authority may—

(a)arrange for the publication within their area of information [F9relating to the functions of the authority]; and

(b)arrange for the delivery of lectures and addresses and the holding of discussions on such matters; and

(c)arrange for the display of pictures, cinematograph films or models or the holding of exhibitions relating to such matters; and

(d)prepare, or join in or contribute to the cost of the preparation of, pictures, films, models or exhibitions to be displayed or held as aforesaid.

[F10(2A)A local authority may assist voluntary organisations to provide for individuals—

(a)information and advice concerning those individuals’ rights and obligations; and

(b)assistance, either by the making or receiving of communications or by providing representation to or before any person or body, in asserting those rights or fulfilling those obligations.]

(3)In this section “local authority” includes the Common Council and “voluntary organisation” means a body which is not a public body but whose activities are carried on otherwise than for profit.

(4)[F11This section shall have effect as if any reference to a local authority included a reference to the London Fire Commissioner.]

Textual Amendments

F1Words inserted by Local Government Act 1986 (c. 10, SIF 81:1, 2), s. 3(1)(a)

F2Words substituted by Local Government Act 1986 (c. 10, SIF 81:1, 2), s. 3(1)(a)

F3S. 142(1A)(1B) inserted by Local Government Act 1986 (c. 10, SIF 81:1, 2), s. 3(1)(b)(2)

F4S. 142(1AA)-(1AC) inserted (29.12.2003) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), ss. 349(2), 411(2)(3) (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3, Sch. 1

F5Words in s. 142(1AC) substituted (8.2.2007) by Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (c. 36), ss. 123, 126, Sch. 7 para. 5

F6Words repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I

F7Words in s. 142(1B) inserted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 119, 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 20; S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2(c)

F8Words in s. 142(1B) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 33 (with s. 247)

F9Words substituted by Local Government Act 1986 (c. 10, SIF 81:1), s. 3(1)(c)

F10S. 142(2A) inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 81:1), s. 38(2)