Local Government Act 1972

Miscellaneous E+W

70 Restriction on promotion of Bills for changing local government areas, etc. E+W

[F1 (1)][F2 [F3 No] local authority [F4 , joint authority [F5 , economic prosperity board, combined authority] or joint waste authority]F6 . . .] shall have power to promote a bill for forming or abolishing any local government area F7 . . . or for altering, or altering the status or electoral arrangements of, any local government area F7 . . ..

[F8 (2) Subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the reference to a joint authority included a reference to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.]

[F9 (3) No local authority [F10 , joint authority [F5 , economic prosperity board, combined authority] or joint waste authority] shall have power to promote a Bill for forming, altering or abolishing executive arrangements or alternative arrangements, or for altering arrangements for electing an elected mayor.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 70 inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328(8), Sch. 29 Pt. I para. 14 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4(a)(h)

F2 Words substituted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 Pt. I para. 1

F3 Word substituted by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(1), Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 41

F4 Words in s. 70(1) substituted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 2; S.I 2008/917, {art. 2(1)(p)}

F5 Words in s. 70(1)(3) inserted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 119, 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 11; S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2

F6 Words repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I

F7 Words inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 Pt. I para. 1 and repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I

F8 S. 70(2) added (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328(8), Sch. 29 Pt. I para. 14 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4(a)(h)

F9 S. 70(3) added (E.) (11.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2237, art. 3 and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2002/808, art. 3

F10 Words in s. 70(3) substituted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 2; S.I 2008/917, {art. 2(1)(p)}

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 70 amended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 1(a)

C2 S. 70 modified by S.I. 1987/2110, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 para. 3(a)

C3 S. 70 applied (temp. from 4.5.1995 to 31.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/1042, art. 4(1)

S. 70 extended (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 77(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(c), Sch. Pt. 3

71 Modification of seaward boundaries of local government areas. E+W

(1) [F11 The Welsh Commission]may at any time review so much of the boundary of any [F12 area] as lies below the high-water mark of medium tides and does not form a common boundary with another [F12 area] and may make proposals to the Secretary of State for making alterations to any part of the boundary so as to include in the [F12 area] any area of the sea which at the date of the proposals is not, in whole or in part, comprised in any other [F12 area] or to exclude from the [F12 area] any area of the sea which at that date is comprised in the [F12 area].

(2) The Secretary of State may direct [F11 the Welsh Commission] to conduct a review under this section of a particular boundary or not to undertake during a specified period such a review of a particular boundary, and may give [F11 the Welsh Commission] directions for their guidance in conducting a review and making proposals under this section.

(3) Subsections (1), (2), (5), (6) and (7) of section 60 above shall apply in relation to a review under this section as they apply in relation to a review under the provisions of this Part of this Act which precede that section.

(4) The Secretary of State may if he thinks fit by order give effect to any proposals made to him under this section, either as submitted to him or with modifications.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

[F13 (6) In subsection (1) above, “area” (except in “area of the sea”) means any local government area in Wales and any preserved county.

(7) No order may be made under this section extending any area into England.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in s. 71(1)(2) substituted (31.10.1992) by Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19), s. 27(1), Sch. 3 para. 16(1)(2); S.I. 1992/2371, art. 2

F12 Word in s. 71 substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 17(1) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F13 S. 71(6)(7) added (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 17(2) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 71: power to transfer or modify functions conferred (30.11.2000 for specified purposes otherwiseprosp.) by 2000 c. 41, ss. 20(3)(b), 163(2)(3)(d) (with s. 156(6))

72 Accretions from the sea, etc. E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, every accretion from the sea, whether natural or artificial, and any part of the sea-shore to the low water-mark, which does not immediately before the passing of this Act form part of a parish shall be annexed to and incorporated with—

(a) in England, the parish or parishes which the accretion or part of the sea-shore adjoins, and

(b) in Wales, the community or communities which the accretion or part of the sea-shore adjoins,

in proportion to the extent of the common boundary.

(2) Every accretion from the sea or part of the sea-shore which is annexed to and incorporated with a parish F14 . . . under this section shall be annexed to and incorporated with the district and county in which that parish F14 . . . is situated.

[F15 (2A) Every accretion from the sea or part of the sea-shore which is annexed to and incorporated with a community under this section shall be annexed to and incorporated with the principal area and the preserved county in which that community is situated.]

(3) In England, in so far as the whole or part of any such accretion from the sea or part of the sea-shore as is mentioned in subsection (1) above does not adjoin a parish, it shall be annexed to and incorporated with the district which it adjoins or, if it adjoins more than one district, with those districts in proportion to the extent of the common boundary; and every such accretion or part of the sea-shore which is annexed to and incorporated with a district under this section shall be annexed to and incorporated with the county in which that district is situated.

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in s. 72(2) repealed (24.10.1994) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5)(8), Sch. 15 para. 18, Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1994/2790, art. 2(1), Sch.

F15 S. 72(2A) inserted (24.10.1994) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1994/2790, art. 2(1), Sch.

73 Alteration of local boundaries consequent on alteration of water-course. E+W

(1) Where, in the exercise of any power [F16 conferred by the conferred by the Water Resources Act 1991, the Land Drainage Act 1991 or] any other enactment, a water-course forming a boundary line between two or more areas of local government is straightened, widened or otherwise altered so as to affect its character as a boundary line, the drainage board or other persons under whose authority the alteration is made shall forthwith send notice of the alteration to the Secretary of State.

(2) If after consultation with [F17 the [F18 Electoral Commission]] or the Welsh Commission, as the case may require, the Secretary of State is satisfied that, having regard to the alteration specified in the notice, a new boundary line may conveniently be adopted, he may by order declare that such line as may be specified in the order (whether or not consisting wholly or in part of the line of the water-course as altered) shall be substituted for so much of the boundary line as, before the alteration, lay along the line of the water-course; and where such an order is made the limits of the areas of which the water-course, before the alteration, was the boundary shall be deemed to be varied accordingly.

(3) The Secretary of State shall, in such manner as he thinks appropriate, publish notice of any order made by him under this section.

[F19 (4) For the purposes of this section a preserved county is an area of local government.]

Textual Amendments

F16 Words in s. 73(1) substituted (1.12.1991) by Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991 (c. 60, SIF 130), ss. 2(1), 4(2), Sch. 1, para. 22(1).

F17 Words in s. 73(2) substituted (31.10.1992) by Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19), s. 27(1), Sch. 3 para. 17; S.I. 1992/2371, art. 2

F18 Words in s. 73(2) substituted (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/3962, art. 9, Sch. 2 para. 1

F19 S. 73(4) added (24.10.1994) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 19 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1994/2790, art. 2(1), Sch.

74 Change of name of county, district or London borough. E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (5) below, the council of a county [F20 , county borough], district or London borough may, by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting thereon at a meeting of the council specially convened for the purpose with notice of the object, change the name of the county [F20 , county borough], district or borough.

(2) Where the name of a district which has been granted the status of a city, borough or royal borough or the name of a London borough is changed in pursuance of this section, the charter or other grant or incorporation order shall have effect as if the new name were substituted for the old.

[F21 (2A) Where a Welsh principal area which has, by charter or other grant or incorporation order, been granted the status of a county borough, city or royal borough subsequently changes the name of the council in pursuance of this section, the charter or other grant or incorporation order shall have effect as if the new name were substituted for the old.]

(3) Notice of any change of name made under this section F22 . . .—

(a) shall be sent by the council concerned to the Secretary of State, to the Director General of the Ordnance Survey and to the Registrar General; and

(b) shall be published in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct.

(4) A change of name made in pursuance of this section F23 . . . shall not affect any rights or obligations of any county [F24 , county borough], district or London borough or of any council, authority or person, or render defective any legal proceedings; and any legal proceedings may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of name.

(5) F25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F26 (6) F27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7) If the name of a Welsh principal area is changed under this section, and there are generally accepted alternative English and Welsh forms of that name, or alternative English and Welsh names, both forms of the new name or (as the case may be) both names shall be published.]

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in s. 74(1) inserted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 20(1) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1)(2), Sch. 5

F21 S. 74(2A) inserted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 20(2) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1)(2), Sch. 5

F22 Words in s. 74(3) repealed (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5)(8), Sch. 15 para. 20(3), Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1)(2), Sch. 5

F23 Words in s. 74(4) repealed (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5)(8), Sch. 15 para. 20(3), Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1)(2), Sch. 5

F24 Words in s. 74(4) inserted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 20(4) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 3(1), Sch. 1

F25 S. 74(5) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), s. 1(1), {Sch. 1 Pt. 10 Group 1}

F26 S. 74(6)(7) added (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 20(5) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1)(2), Sch. 5

F27 S. 74(6) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), s. 1(1), {Sch. 1 Pt. 10 Group 1}

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 74: functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1

C6 S. 74(1) applied (with modifications)(1.8.1995) by S.I. 1995/1748, reg. 7

75 Change of name of parish. E+W

(1) At the request of the parish council or, where there is no parish council, at the request of the parish meeting, the council of the district in which the parish is situated may change the name of the parish.

(2) Notice of any change of name made under this section—

(a) shall be sent by the district council concerned to the Secretary of State, to the Director General of the Ordnance Survey and to the Registrar General; and

(b) shall be published by the district council in the parish and elsewhere in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(3) A change of name made in pursuance of this section shall not affect any rights or obligations of any parish or of any council, authority or person, or render defective any legal proceedings; and any legal proceedings may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of name.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 75: functions of local authority not to be responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1

76 Change of name of community. E+W

(1) At the request of the community council or, where there is no community council, at the request of a community meeting, the council of the [F28 principal area] in which the community is situated may change the name of the community.

(2) Notice of any change of name made under this section F29 . . . —

(a) shall be sent by the [F30 principal] council concerned to the Secretary of State, to the Director General of the Ordnance Survey and to the Registrar General; and

(b) shall be published by the [F30 principal] council in the community and elsewhere in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(3) A change of name made in pursuance of this section F31 . . . shall not affect any rights or obligations of any community or of any council, authority or person, or render defective any legal proceedings; and any legal proceedings may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of name.

[F32 (4) If the name of any community is changed under this section, and there are generally accepted alternative English and Welsh forms of that name, or alternative English and Welsh names, both forms of the new name or (as the case may be) both names shall be published.]

Textual Amendments

F28 Words in s. 76(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 21(1)(a) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F29 Words in s. 76(2) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5)(8), Sch. 15 para. 21(1)(b), Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F30 Word in s. 76(2) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 21(1)(c) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F31 Words in s. 76(3) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5)(8), Sch. 15 para. 21(1)(b), Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F32 S. 76(4) added (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 21(2) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F33 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F33 S. 77 repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17

78 Supplementary. E+W

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “electoral arrangements” means—

  (a)

  in relation to a principal area, the number of councillors of the council for that area, the number and boundaries of the electoral areas into which that area is for the time being divided for the purpose of the election of councillors, the number of councillors to be elected for any electoral area in that principal area and the name of any electoral area;

  (b)

  in relation to a parish or community council or a common parish or community council, the number of councillors, the question whether the parish or community or any parish or community, as the case may be, should or should not be or continue to be divided into wards for the purpose of the election of councillors, the number and boundaries of any such wards, the number of councillors to be elected for any such ward or in the case of a common parish or community council for each parish or community and the name of any such ward;

  (c)

  F34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• “local government area” includes the City, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple;

• F35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .

• “substantive change” has the meaning assigned to it by [F36 section 54(1)(e)] above.

(2) In considering the electoral arrangements for local government areas for the purposes of this Part of this Act, the Secretary of State, [F37 the Welsh Commission] and every [F38 Welsh principal council and] district council shall so far as is reasonably practicable comply with the rules set out [F39 in Schedule 11 to this Act].

Textual Amendments

F34 S. 78(1): para. (c) in definition of "electoral arrangements" (which was inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 19(5)(6), Sch. 9 Pt. II para. 2(6)) repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I

F35 S. 78(1): definition of "public body" repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), s. 1(1), Sch. 1, and expressed to be repealed (24.11.2005) by Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17), ss. 198, 201(2), Sch. 6 para. 57, Sch. 7 (with ss. 2(3), 15(2), 195); S.I. 2005/3056, art. 2(2) (with art. 4)

F36 Words in the definition of "substantive change" in s. 78(1) substituted (31.10.1992) by Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19), s. 27(1), Sch. 3 para. 18(1); S.I. 1992/2371, art. 2

F37 Words in s. 78(2) substituted (31.10.1992) by Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19), s. 27(1), Sch. 3 para. 18(2); S.I. 1992/2371, art.2

F38 Words in s. 78(2) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(5), Sch. 15 para. 22 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2

F39 Words substituted by virtue of Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 42