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Version Superseded: 26/12/2023
Point in time view as at 01/04/2020.
Local Government Act 1972, Cross Heading: Miscellaneous is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 27 December 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.
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[F1(1)][F2[F3No] local authority [F4in England][F5, joint authority [F6, economic prosperity board] [F7or combined authority]]F8...] shall have power to promote a bill for forming or abolishing any local government area F9... or for altering, or altering the status or electoral arrangements of, any local government area F9. . .
[F10(2)[F11Subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the reference to a joint authority included a reference to the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.]]
[F11Subsection (1) above shall have effect as if the reference to a joint authority included a reference to the London Fire Commissioner.]
[F12(3)No local authority [F13in England][F14, joint authority [F6, economic prosperity board] [F15or combined authority]] shall have power to promote a Bill for forming, altering or abolishing executive arrangements F16..., or for altering arrangements for electing an elected mayor.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words 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)
F2Words substituted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 Pt. I para. 1
F3Word substituted by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(1), Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 41
F4Words in s. 70(1) inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(5)(a)
F5Words 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)}
F6Words 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
F7Words in s. 70(1) substituted (26.5.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 13 para. 6(7)(a); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(g)
F8Words repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I
F9Words 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
F10S. 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)
F11S. 70(2) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 36
F12S. 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
F13Words in s. 70(3) inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(5)(b)
F14Words 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)}
F15Words in s. 70(3) substituted (26.5.2015) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 13 para. 6(7)(a); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(g)
F16Words in s. 70(3) repealed (10.7.2011) by Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 4), ss. 36(3)(a), 178(2), Sch. 4 Pt. B (with s. 36(5)-(8))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 70 amended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 1(a)
C2S. 70 modified by S.I. 1987/2110, art. 2(2), Sch. 1 para. 3(a)
C3S. 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
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F17S. 71 repealed (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
(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
F18(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 F19. . . under this section shall be annexed to and incorporated with the district and county in which that parish F19. . . is situated.
F20(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(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
F18S. 72(1)(b) repealed (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
F19Words 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.
F20S. 72(2A) repealed (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
(1)Where, in the exercise of any power [F21conferred 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 [F22 in England] 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 [F23the [F24Local Government Boundary Commission for England]] F25... 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.
[F26(4)For the purposes of this section a preserved county is an area of local government.]
Textual Amendments
F21Words 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).
F22Words in s. 73(1) inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(6)
F23Words 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
F24Words in s. 73(2) substituted (1.4.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 67(1), 148(3), Sch. 4 para. 3; S.I. 2009/3318, art. 4(ff)
F25Words in s. 73(2) repealed (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
F26S. 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.
(1)Subject to subsection (5) below, the council of a county [F27, 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 [F27, 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.
[F28(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 F29. . .—
(a)shall be sent by the council concerned to [F30the relevant Minister], to the Director General of the Ordnance Survey and to the Registrar General; and
(b)shall be published in such manner as [F31the relevant Minister] may direct.
[F32(3A)Where any change of name under this section relates to a Welsh principal area, notice must also be sent to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales.]
(4)A change of name made in pursuance of this section F33. . . shall not affect any rights or obligations of any county [F34, 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)F35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F36(6)F37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(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.]
[F38(8)In this section the “relevant Minister” is—
(a)in relation to the change of name of a Welsh principal area, the Welsh Ministers, and
(b)in relation to any other change of name, the Secretary of State.]
Textual Amendments
F27Words 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
F28S. 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
F29Words 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
F30Words in s. 74(3)(a) substituted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(7)(a)
F31Words in s. 74(3)(b) substituted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(7)(b)
F32S. 74(3A) inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(7)(c)
F33Words 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
F34Words 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
F35S. 74(5) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), s. 1(1), {Sch. 1 Pt. 10 Group 1}
F36S. 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
F37S. 74(6) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), s. 1(1), {Sch. 1 Pt. 10 Group 1}
F38S. 74(8) inserted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(7)(d)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C4S. 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
C5S. 74(1) applied (with modifications)(1.8.1995) by S.I. 1995/1748, reg. 7
(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)
C6S. 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
(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 [F39principal 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 F40. . . —
(a)shall be sent by the [F41principal] council concerned to the [F42Welsh Ministers, to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales,] to the Director General of the Ordnance Survey and to the Registrar General; and
(b)shall be published by the [F41principal] council in the community and elsewhere in such manner as they consider appropriate.
(3)A change of name made in pursuance of this section F43. . . 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.
[F44(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
F39Words 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
F40Words 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
F41Word 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
F42Words in s. 76(2)(a) substituted (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 1(8)
F43Words 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
F44S. 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
Textual Amendments
F45S. 77 repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17
(1)In this Part of this Act—
[F46“electoral arrangements” means—
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;
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;
F47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
“local government area” includes the City, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple;
F48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .
“substantive change” has the meaning assigned to it by [F49section 54(1)(e)] above.
[F50(2)In considering the electoral arrangements for local government areas for the purposes of this Part of this Act, the Secretary of State, [F51the Welsh Commission] and every [F52Welsh principal council and] district council shall so far as is reasonably practicable comply with the rules set out [F53in Schedule 11 to this Act].]
Textual Amendments
F46Words in s. 78(1) repealed (W.) (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
F47S. 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
F48S. 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)
F49Words 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
F50S. 78(2) repealed (W.) (30.9.2013) by Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 4), s. 75(2)(d), Sch. 2
F51Words 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
F52Words 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
F53Words 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
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