Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65)

Part II E+W+S Publication of Information by Local Authorities

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. II (ss. 2-4) applied (6.4.1995) (temp. until 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. para. 6

2 Duty of authorities to publish information. E+W+S

(1) The authorities to whom this section applies are—

(a) a county council;

[F1 (aa) a county borough council;]

(b) a district council;

[F2 (ba) a parish council;

(bb) a parish meeting of a parish which does not have a separate parish council;

(bc) a community council;]

F3 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) a London borough council;

(e) the Common Council of the City of London;

(f) the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

(g) in Scotland, a [F4 council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994];

[F5 [F6 (h) a fire and rescue authority constituted by a scheme under section 2 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 or a scheme to which section 4 of that Act applies;]]

[F7 (ha) a National Park authority for a National Park in Wales;]

[F8 (hb) a corporate joint committee established by regulations under Part 5 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021;]

F9 (j) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F9 (k) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10 (ka) a joint authority established by Part IV of the M1 Local Government Act 1985;]

F11 (kaa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F12 (kab) an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;

(kac) a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act;]

[F13 (kad) a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023;]

[F14 (kb) the London Fire Commissioner;]

F15 (l) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F16 ; and any other authority which is a best value authority for the purposes of Part I of the Local Government Act 1999 (best value) F17 ....]

[F18 (1A) This section also applies to an authority which—

(a) is not within subsection (1) above;

(b) is not within section 4(4) below; and

(c) is, or is treated as, a smaller authority for the purposes of section 5 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (modification of that Act in relation to smaller authorities).]

(2) The Secretary of State may issue for the purposes of this section a code of recommended practice as to the publication of information by such authorities about the discharge of their functions and other matters (including forecasts) which he considers to be related.

F19 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) A code may be prepared either by the Secretary of State or by some other person at his request.

(5) The Secretary of State may from time to time revise or request some other person to revise the whole or any part of a code.

(6) A code may specify—

(a) that publication be made in periodical reports or in any other specified manner;

(b) the occasions on which such publication is to made; and

(c) the form which such publication is to take.

(7) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6) above, a code may specify, as a manner of publishing information—

F20 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F21 (aa) its dispatch with, or inclusion in—

(i) a demand note for payment of rates issued under section 237(1) of the M2 Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947; or

[F22 (ii) a notice given by virtue of regulations made under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Finance Act 1992]]

[F23 (b) its inclusion in a statement of accounts prepared by an authority to which this section applies in accordance with section 3 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 or regulations under section 39 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004 or in an abstract of accounts prepared by such an authority in accordance with regulations under section 105 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973; or]

(c) its being made available for inspection by members of the public at an authority’s office or elsewhere.

(8) A code may specify steps which authorities are to take to inform the public of the availability of the information.

(9) Where a code specifies information as to the cost of the discharge of any of the functions of authorities, it may specify how the cost is to be determined.

(10) More than one code may be issued under this section, and different codes may deal with—

(a) different classes of information;

(b) different kinds of authority or the same kind of authority in different circumstances or different areas ;

(c) different manners, forms or occasions of publication.

[F24 (11) A code issued under this section applies to an authority within subsection (1A) above only in respect of information relating to a financial year during which the authority was within that subsection.

(12) A function under this section or section 3 below that is expressed to be exercisable by the Secretary of State is exercisable by the Secretary of State (and not the Welsh Ministers) in relation to a person or body that—

(a) is within subsection (1A), and

(b) exercises functions in relation to an area that is partly in England and partly in Wales.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 2(1)(aa) inserted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 57(1) (with ss. 55, 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1), Sch. 5

F2 S. 2(1)(ba)-(bc) inserted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), s. 245(5), Sch. 7 para. 1; S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(1)(a)

F3 S. 2(1)(c) repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102, Sch. 17

F4 Words in s. 2(1)(g) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 120(2)(a); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

F5 S. 2(1)(h) repealed (S.) (1.4.2013) by Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (asp 8), s. 129(2), sch. 8 Pt. 2; S.S.I. 2013/51, art. 2 (with transitional provisions and savings in S.S.I. 2013/121)

F6 S. 2(1)(h) substituted (1.10.2004 except in relation to W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 1 para. 49(2); S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2

F7 S. 2(1)(ha) inserted (1.4.2021) by The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/296), regs. 1(2), 2(a)

F8 S. 2(1)(hb) inserted (E.W.) (25.3.2022) by The Corporate Joint Committees (General) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/372), regs. 1(2), 47

F9 S. 2(1)(j)(k) omitted (S.) (1.4.2013) by virtue of The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/119), art. 1, sch. 1 para. 7

F10 S. 2(1)(ka) inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 para. 59(1)(a)

F11 S. 2(1)(kaa) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 13 para. 6(14)(a); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(g)

F12 S. 2(1)(kab)(kac) inserted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), s. 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 49; S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2(c)

F13 S. 2(1)(kad) inserted (E.W.) (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 63 (with s. 247)

F14 S. 2(1)(kb) substituted (E.W.) (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 57; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F15 S. 2(1)(l) repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), s. 237, Sch. 13 Pt. I

F16 Words in s. 2(1) inserted (27.9.1999 in relation to E. and for specified purposes only in relation to W. on 27.9.1999 and otherwise in force in relation to W. on 1.10.1999) by 1999 c. 27, s. 20; S.I. 1999/2169, art. 3(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1999/2815, art. 2

F17 Words in s. 2(1) omitted (1.4.2021) by virtue of The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/296), regs. 1(2), 2(b)

F18 S. 2(1A) inserted (4.4.2014 for specified purposes) by Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c. 2), ss. 38(a), 49(1); S.I. 2014/900, art. 2(f)

F19 S. 2(3) repealed (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(2), 583(2), Sch. 38 Pt. I (with ss. 1(4), 561, 562, Sch. 39)

F20 S. 2(7)(a) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), Sch. 1 Pt. 10 Group 3

F21 S. 2(7)(aa) inserted by Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41, SIF 103:2), s. 137, Sch. 12 Pt. II para. 14

F22 S. 2(7)(aa)(ii) substituted (1.10.1992) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 117(1), Sch. 13 para. 49 (with s. 118(1)(2)(4)); S.I. 1992/2183, art. 2(c).

F23 S. 2(7)(b) substituted (1.4.2015) by Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c. 2), s. 49(1), Sch. 12 para. 10; S.I. 2015/841, art. 3(x)

F24 S. 2(11)(12) inserted (4.4.2014 for specified purposes) by Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c. 2), ss. 38(b), 49(1); S.I. 2014/900, art. 2(f)

Marginal Citations

M1 1985 c. 51 (81:1).

M2 1947 c. 43(103:2).

3 Supplementary provisions relating to codes of practice on publication of information. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring authorities to whom section 2 above applies to publish any description of information specified in a code issued under that section if in his opinion it is necesary to make such regulations in order to ensure that authorities publish information of that description.

(2) The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring such authorities to publish any description of information specified in a code issued under section 2 above in the manner and form specified in the code, if in his opinion it is necessary to make such regulations in order to ensure that authorities publish information of that description in that manner and from.

(3) Where the occasions specified in a code for the publication of any description of information recur not more ofter than once a year, the Secretary of State may make regulations requiring authorities to publish information of that description on the occasions specified in the code, if in his opinion it is necessary to make such regulations in order to ensure that authorities publish information of that description on those occasions.

(4) Where the occasions specified in a code for the publication of any description of information recur more often than once a year, the Secretary of State may make regulations requiring authorities to publish information on the occasions specified in the code if—

(a) the information is of a description to which this subsection applies; and

(b) in his opinion it is necessary to make such regulations in order to ensure that authorities publish information of that description on the occasions specified in the code.

(5) The descriptions of information to which subsection (4) above applies are—

(a) information about the discharge of authorities’ functions relating to housing or land;

(b) information about the number of their employees or the number of any description of their employees; and

(c) information about the determination of applications for planning permission under [F25 the Town and Country Planning Act 1990] or [F26 the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997].

(6) The Secretary of State may by order direct that subsection (4) above shall apply to descriptions of information other than those specified in subsection (5) above.

(7) Any regulations under this section and any order under subsection (6) above may make different provision in relation to authorities in England, authorities in Scotland and authorities in Wales.

(8) The power to make any such regulations or order shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

(9) A statutory instrument containing any such regulations shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(10) No order under subsection (6) above shall have effect until approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(11) Before issuing a code under section 2 above or making regulations under this section or an order under subsection (6) above the Secretary of State shall consult such associations of authorities to whom section 2 above applies as appear to him to be concerned and any such authority with whom consultation appears to him to be desirable.

(12) A code may specify and regulations under subsection (2) above may require that any description of information shall be published to the public in general or to any section of it.

Textual Amendments

F25 Words substituted by Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act 1990 (c. 11, SIF 123: 1, 2), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 44(1)

F26 Words in s. 3(5)(c) substituted (S.) (27.5.1997) by 1997 c. 11, ss. 4, 6(2), Sch. 2 para. 31(1)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 3(4) applied (E.) (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The Local Government (Transparency) (Descriptions of Information) (England) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/2060), arts. 1(1), 2

C3 S. 3(4) applied (coming into force in accordance with art. 1 of the amending S.I.) by The Local Government (Transparency) (Descriptions of Information) (England) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/471), arts. 1, 2(1)

4 Power to direct bodies to publish information. E+W+S

(1) The relevant Minister may direct that a body or description of bodies specified in any of the paragraph of subsection (4) below shall publish information about the discharge of their functions and other matters (including forecasts) which he considers to be related.

(2) Different directions may be given to bodies of the same description in different areas.

(3) A direction under this section may specify—

(a) the manner in which information is to be published;

(b) the occasions on which such publication is to be made; and

(c) the form which such publication is to take.

(4) The bodies and descriptions of bodies mentioned in subsection (1) above are—

(a) development corporations established under the M3 [F27 New Towns Act 1981] or the M4 New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968;

F28 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F29 (c) water authorities;]

(d) urban development corporations within the meaning of Part XVI of this Act;

(e) Passenger Transport Executives . . . F30

(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F31

(g) district councils [F32 or Welsh county councils or county borough councils] carrying on road passenger transport undertakings.

F33 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F34 (5A) In this section “the relevant Minister ” means, in relation to the National Rivers Authority, the Secretary of State or the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]

(6) Subject to [F35 [F36 subsection](5A)] above, in this section “the relevant Minister " means the Secretary of State.

(7) A direction given to a F37 . . .council under this section may only relate to its road passenger transport undertaking.

Textual Amendments

F27 Words substituted by New Towns Act 1981 (c. 64, SIF 123:3), s. 81, Sch. 12 para. 28(a)

F28 S. 4(4)(b) repealed (1.12.2008) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), s. 325(1), Sch. 8 para. 26, Sch. 16; S.I. 2008/3068, arts. 2(1)(w)(3), 5, Sch. (with arts. 6-13)

F29 S. 4(4)(c) commencing “water " substituted for s. 4(4)(c) commencing “the National " by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 61(1)(a), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58

F30 Words repealed by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), s. 139(3), Sch. 8

F31 S. 4(4)(f)repealed by London Regional Transport Act 1984 (c. 32, SIF 126), s. 71(3)(b), Sch. 7

F32 Words in s. 4(4)(g) inserted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 57(2)(a) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1), Sch. 5

F33 S. 4(5) repealed (25.11.2002) by S.I. 2002/2626, art. 20, Sch. 2 para. 9(b)

F34 S. 4(5A) inserted by Water Act 1989 (c.15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1) Sch. 25 para. 61(1)(b), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58

F35 Words “subsections (5) and (5A) " substituted for “subsection (5) " by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 61(1)(c), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 41(1), 57(6), 58

F36 Word in s. 4(6) substituted (25.11.2002) by S.I. 2002/2626, art. 20, Sch. 2 para. 9(a)

F37 Word in s. 4(7) repealed (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6)(8), Sch. 16 para. 57(2)(b), Sch. 18 (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 9(1), Sch. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 4: Functions transferred (25.11.2002) by S.I. 2002/26260, arts. 4(a), 7, 8

Marginal Citations

M3 1981 c. 64 (123:3).

M4 1968 c. 16 (123:4).