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Local Government and Housing Act 1989

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Local Government and Housing Act 1989 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 22 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. Help about Changes to Legislation

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

Part IE+W+S Local Authority Members, Officers, Staff and Committees etc.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. 1 (ss. 1-21) applied (temp. from 4.5.1995 to 31.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/1042, art. 4(1)

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-21): power conferred to make provisions about matters of the kind dealt with in this part (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 50, s. 44(1), Sch. 4 para. (j)(i); S.I. 1997/1930, art. 2(1)(2)(m) (subject to art. 2(3))

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-21): extended (E.W.) (26.10.2000 for E. and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 23, 108(4), Sch. 1 para. 3(13); S.I. 2000/2849, art. 2(c)

C3Pt. 1 functions made exercisable by joint standards committees (E.) (15.6.2009) by The Standards Committee (Further Provisions) (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1255), regs. 1(1), 14

Political restriction of officers and staffE+W+S

1 Disqualification and political restriction of certain officers and staff.E+W+S

(1)A person shall be disqualified from becoming (whether by election or otherwise) or remaining a member of a local authority if he holds a politically restricted post under that local authority or any other local authority in Great Britain.

[F1(1A)A person shall be disqualified from becoming (whether by election or otherwise) or remaining a member of any local authority in Wales if that person—

[F2(a)]holds the post of chief executive of a local authority which is the council of a county or county borough in Wales;

[F3(b)holds a politically restricted post under a corporate joint committee.]]

[F4(1B)A person shall be disqualified from becoming or remaining a member of a corporate joint committee if that person holds a politically restricted post under any corporate joint committee or local authority in Great Britain.]

(2)In the M1House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, in Part III of Schedule 1 (other disqualifying offices) there shall be inserted at the appropriate place—

“Person holding a politically restricted post, within the meaning of Part I of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, under a local authority, within the meaning of that Part.”

(3)In section 80 of the M2Local Government Act 1972 (disqualification for election and holding office as member of local authority)—

(a)in subsection (1)(a) (paid office holders and employees), the words “joint board, joint authority or” shall be omitted; and

(b)in subsection (6) (extension of meaning of “local authority”), after the word “includes” there shall be inserted “ a joint board and ”.

(4)In section 31 of the M3Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (which makes corresponding provision for Scotland)—

(a)in subsection (1)(a)(ii), the words “or joint board” shall be omitted; and

(b)after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A)A person is disqualified for being a member of a joint board if he or a partner of his holds any paid office or employment (other than the office of chairman or vice-chairman of the board) or other place of profit in the gift or disposal of the board.”

(5)The terms of appointment or conditions of employment of every person holding a politically restricted post under a local authority (including persons appointed to such posts before the coming into force of this section) shall be deemed to incorporate such requirements for restricting his political activities as may be prescribed for the purposes of this subsection by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(6)Regulations under subsection (5) above may contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with their other provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate and, without prejudice to section 190(1) below, may contain such exceptions for persons appointed in pursuance of section 9 below as he thinks fit.

(7)So far as it has effect in relation to disqualification for election, this section has effect with respect to any election occurring not less than two months after the coming into force of this section and, so far as it relates to becoming in any other way a member of a local authority, this section has effect with respect to any action which, apart from this section, would result in a person becoming a member of the authority not less than two months after the coming into force of this section.

(8)If, immediately before the expiry of the period of two months referred to in subsection (7) above, a person who is a member of a local authority holds a politically restricted post under that or any other local authority, nothing in this section shall apply to him until the expiry of the period for which he was elected or for which he otherwise became a member of the authority.

[F5(9)In this section a reference to a person holding a politically restricted post under a local authority includes a reference to every member of the staff of an elected local policing bodyF6... [F7, [F8and every member of staff of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004] [F8every member of staff of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and every member of staff of the London Fire Commissioner]]].

[F9(10)The reference in subsection (9) to every member of the staff of an elected local policing body does not include a deputy police and crime commissioner.

(11)For the purposes of subsection (1) only, the reference in subsection (9) to every member of the staff of an elected local policing body does not include the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime appointed under section 19(1)(a) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.]

[F10(12)Subsections (5) to (8) of this section apply to a corporate joint committee as they apply to a local authority in Wales.]

Textual Amendments

F6Words in s. 1(9) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 123(2), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(d)

F7Words in s. 1(9) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 61; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F8Words in s. 1(9) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 86

F9S. 1(10)(11) inserted (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), ss. 123(3), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4S. 1 applied (S.) (temp.) (6.4.1995 to 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

S. 1 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 7(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 1 extended (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, ss. 68, 70 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

C7S. 1 excluded (16.1.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 15 para. 20(2); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1; S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(h)

C9S. 1 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.3.2017) by The Tees Valley Combined Authority (Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/250), arts. 1(2), 6(a)

Marginal Citations

2 Politically restricted posts.E+W+S

(1)The following persons are to be regarded for the purposes of this Part as holding politically restricted posts under a local authority—

(a)the person designated under section 4 below as the head of the authority’s paid service;

(b)the statutory chief officers;

(c)a non-statutory chief officer;

(d)a deputy chief officer;

(e)the monitoring officer designated under section 5 below;

(f)any person holding a post to which he was appointed in pursuance of section 9 below; [F11and]

(g)any person not falling within paragraphs (a) to (f) above whose post is for the time being specified by the authority in a list maintained in accordance with subsection (2) below and any directions under section 3 [F12or 3A] below or with section 100G(2) of the M4Local Government Act 1972 or section 50G(2) of the M5Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (list of officers to whom powers are delegated) [F13; and

(h)the head of democratic services designated under section 8 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011].

[F14(1A)For the purposes of this Part other than section 1(1), a person appointed as the chief executive of a local authority which is the council of a county or county borough in Wales is to be regarded as holding a politically restricted post under that authority.]

[F15(1B)For the purposes of this Part the following persons are to be regarded as holding politically restricted posts under a corporate joint committee—

(a)a person appointed as the chief executive of the corporate joint committee;

(b)a person described in subsection (1)(b) to (e);

(c)a person not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) whose post is for the time being specified by the corporate joint committee in—

(i)the list maintained in accordance with subsection (2) and any directions under section 3;

(ii)the list maintained in accordance with regulation 24(2) of the Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2021.]

(2)It shall be the duty of every local authority to prepare and maintain a list of such of the following posts under the authority, namely—

F16(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)posts F17[F18... the] duties of which appear to the authority to fall within subsection (3) below,

as are not posts for the time being exempted under section 3 [F19or 3A] below, posts for the time being listed under section 100G(2) of the M6Local Government Act 1972 or section 50G(2) of the M7Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 or posts of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this subsection.

(3)The duties of a post under a local authority fall within this subsection if they consist in or involve one or both of the following, that is to say—

(a)giving advice on a regular basis to the authority themselves, to any committee or sub-committee of the authority or to any joint committee on which the authority are represented [F20or, where the authority are operating executive arrangements, to the executive of the authority, to any committee of that executive, or to any member of that executive who is also a member of the authority];

(b)speaking on behalf of the authority on a regular basis to journalists or broadcasters.

(4)It shall be the duty of every local authority to deposit the first list prepared under subsection (2) above with their proper officer before the expiry of the period of two months beginning with the coming into force of this section; and it shall also be their duty, on subsequently making any modifications of that list, to deposit a revised list with that officer.

(5)It shall be the duty of every local authority [F21 in Scotland and Wales ] in performing their duties under this section to have regard to such general advice as may be given by virtue of subsection (1)(b) of section 3 below by a person appointed under that subsection.

[F22(5A)It shall be the duty of every local authority in England in performing their duties under this section to have regard to such general advice as may be given by virtue of section 3B below by the Secretary of State.]

(6)In this section “the statutory chief officers” means—

[F23(za)the director of children’s services appointed under section 18 of the Children Act 2004 and the director of adult social services appointed under section 6(A1) of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (in the case of a local authority in England);]

[F24(zb)the director of public health appointed under section 73A(1) of the National Health Service Act 2006;]

(a)the chief education officer [F25or director of education] appointed under [F26section 532 of the Education Act 1996][F25or section 78 of the M8Education (Scotland) Act 1980] [F27(in the case of a local authority in Wales)];

(b)[F28the chief officer of a fire brigade maintained under the M9Fire Services Act 1947 and appointed under regulations made under section 18(1)(a) of that Act;]

(c)the director of social services [F29(in the case of a local authority in Wales)] or [F30chief social work officer] appointed under [F31section 144 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014] or section 3 of the M10Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968; and

(d)the officer having responsibility, for the purposes of section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972, section 73 of the M11Local Government Act 1985, section 112 of the M12Local Government Finance Act 1988 [F32, section 127(2) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999] or section 6 below or for the purposes of section 95 of the M13Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, for the administration of the authority’s financial affairs.

(7)In this section “non-statutory chief officer” means, subject to the following provisions of this section—

(a)a person for whom the head of the authority’s paid service [F33 or (in the case of a council for a county or county borough in Wales) the authority's chief executive] is directly responsible;

(b)a person who, as respects all or most of the duties of his post, is required to report directly or is directly accountable to the head of the authority’s paid service [F34 or (in the case of a council for a county or county borough in Wales) the authority's chief executive]; and

(c)any person who, as respects all or most of the duties of his post, is required to report directly or is directly accountable to the local authority themselves or any committee or sub-committee of the authority.

(8)In this section “deputy chief officer” means, subject to the following provisions of this section, a person who, as respects all or most of the duties of his post, is required to report directly or is directly accountable to one or more of the statutory or non-statutory chief officers.

(9)A person whose duties are solely secretarial or clerical or are otherwise in the nature of support services shall not be regarded as a non-statutory chief officer or a deputy chief officer for the purposes of this Part.

(10)Nothing in this section shall have the effect of requiring any person to be regarded as holding a politically restricted post by reason of his holding—

(a)the post of head teacher or principal of a school, college or other educational institution or establishment which, in England and Wales, is maintained or assisted by a [F35local authority] or, in Scotland, is under the management of or is assisted by an education authority; or

(b)any other post as a teacher or lecturer in any such school, college, institution or establishment,

or of requiring any such post to be included in any list prepared and maintained under this section.

[F36(10A)This section, other than subsection (1), applies in relation to a corporate joint committee as it applies in relation to a local authority in Wales.

(10B)In the application of subsection (2) to a corporate joint committee the reference to section 100G(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 is to be read as a reference to regulation 24(2) of the Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2021.

(10C)In the application of subsection (4) to a corporate joint committee—

(a)the reference to two months is to be read as a reference to six months, and

(b)the reference to the coming into force of this section is to be read as a reference to—

(i)the coming into force of this subsection, or

(ii)the date on which the corporate joint committee is established,

whichever is the later.]

(11)Regulations under this section may contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with their other provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Textual Amendments

F16S. 2(2)(a)(b) and word repealed (S.) (28.2.2007) by Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9), ss. 9(a), 17(2); S.S.I. 2007/25, art. 2(1); s. 2(2)(a)(b) repealed (E.W.) (12.1.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 30(2)(a), 148(1)(d), Sch. 7 Pt. 1

F18Words in s. 2(2)(c) repealed (S.) (28.2.2007) by Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9), ss. 9(b), 17(2); S.S.I. 2007/25, art. 2(1)

F20Words in s. 2(3)(a) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 22; S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 21

F23S. 2(6)(za) inserted (E.W.) (1.1.2008 with effect in accordance with 2004 c. 31, s. 18(9)(10)) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), s. 67(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(a); S.I. 2007/1792, art. 2

F25Words in s. 2(6)(a) repealed (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1)(2), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(2)(a), Sch. 14 (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)(d), Sch. 2

F26Words in s. 2(6)(a) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(1), 583(2), Sch. 37 para. 95 (with s. 1(4), Sch. 39 paras. 30, 39)

F27Words in s. 2(6)(a) inserted (E.W.) (1.1.2008 with effect in accordance with 2004 c. 31, s. 18(9)(10)) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), s. 67(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(b); S.I. 2007/1792, art. 2

F28S. 2(6)(b) repealed (E.W.) (1.10.2004 except in relation to W., 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 2; S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2; S.I. 2004/2917, art. 2

F29Words in s. 2(6)(c) inserted (E.W.) (1.1.2008 with effect in accordance with 2004 c. 31, s. 18(9)(10)) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), s. 67(2), Sch. 2 para. 3(c); S.I. 2007/1792, art. 2

F30Words in s. 2(6)(c) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(2)(b) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

F32Words in s. 2(6)(d) inserted (8.5.2000 for specified purposes otherwise 3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 127(8) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3434, arts. 3, 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C22S. 2 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 7(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

C23S. 2 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.3.2017) by The Tees Valley Combined Authority (Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/250), arts. 1(2), 6(b)

Marginal Citations

3 Grant and supervision of exemptions from political restriction[F37: Scotland and Wales ].E+W+S

(1)[F38It shall be the duty of the Scottish Ministers to appoint in relation to Scotland, and the duty of the Welsh Ministers to appoint in relation to Wales, a person]—

(a)to carry out the functions in relation to political restriction which are conferred by subsections (2) to (7) below; and

(b)to give such general advice with respect to the determination of questions arising by virtue of section 2(3) above as that person considers appropriate after consulting such representatives of local government and such organisations appearing to him to represent employees in local government as he considers appropriate.

(2)A person appointed under subsection (1) above—

(a)shall consider any application for exemption from political restrictionwhich is made to him, in respect of any post under a local authority, by the holder for the time being of that post; and

(b)may, on the application of any person or otherwise, give directions to a local authority requiring it to include a post in the list maintained by the authority under section 2(2) above.

(3)An application shall not be made by virtue of subsection (2)(a) above in respect of a post under a local authority except where—

(a)the authority have specified or are proposing to specify the post in the list maintained by the authority under subsection (2) of section 2 above; F39...

F40[F41(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F42...]

(4)If, on an application made by virtue of subsection (2)(a) above in respect of any post under a local authority, the person to whom the application is made is satisfied that the duties of the post do not fall within section 2(3)above, that person shall direct—

(a)that, for so long as the direction has effect in accordance with its terms, the post is not to be regarded as a politically restricted post; and

(b)that, accordingly, the post is not to be specified in the list maintained by that authority under section 2(2) above or, as the case may be, is to be removed from that list.

(5)A person appointed under subsection (1) above shall not give a directionunder subsection (2)(b) above in respect of any post under a local authority except where he is satisfied that the post—

(a)is a post the duties of which fall within section 2(3) above; and

(b)is neither included in any list maintained by the authority in accordance with section 2(2) above, section 100G(2) of the M14Local Government Act 1972 [F43, regulation 24(2) of the Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2021] or section 50G(2) of the M15Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 nor of a description specified in any regulations under section 2(2) above.

(6)It shall be the duty of a local authority—

(a)to give a person appointed under subsection (1) above all such information as that person may reasonably require for the purpose of carrying out his functions under this section;

(b)to comply with any direction under this section with respect to the list maintained by the authority; and

(c)on being given a direction by virtue of subsection (2)(b) above, to notify the terms of the direction to the holder for the time being of the post to which the direction relates.

(7)It shall be the duty of a person appointed under subsection (1) above, in carrying out his functions under this section, to give priority, according to the time available before the election, to any application made by virtue of subsection (2)(a) above by a person who certifies that it is made for the purpose of enabling him to be a candidate in a forthcoming election.

(8)The Secretary of State may—

F44(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)provide for the appointment of such numbers of staff to assist any person appointed under [F45subsection (1)], and to act on that person’s behalf, as the Secretary of State may with the consent of the Treasury determine;

(c)pay to or in respect of a person appointed under that subsection andmembers of such a person’s staff such remuneration and such other sums by way of, or towards, the payment of pensions, allowances and gratuities as the Secretary of State may so determine; and

(d)provide for a person appointed under that subsection and such a person’s staff to hold office on such other terms as the Secretary of State may so determine.

[F46(9)In this section a reference to a local authority includes a reference to a corporate joint committee.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C35S. 3 applied (S.) (temp. 6.4.1995 to 31.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

S. 3 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 7(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 3 extended (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, ss. 68, 70 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

Marginal Citations

[F473AGrant and supervision of exemptions from political restriction: EnglandE+W+S

(1)The [F48head of paid service] of a local authority in England F49...—

(a)must consider any application for exemption from political restriction which is made to the [F50head of paid service], in respect of any post under the F51... authority, by the holder for the time being of that post; and

(b)may, on the application of any person or otherwise, give directions to the F52... authority requiring it to include a post in the list maintained by the authority under section 2(2).

(2)An application may not be made under subsection (1)(a) unless—

(a)the F53... authority have specified or are proposing to specify the post in the list maintained by them under section 2(2);F54...

F55(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F56...

(3)If, on an application under subsection (1)(a) in respect of any post, the [F57head of paid service] is satisfied that the duties of the post do not fall within section 2(3), the [F58head of paid service] must direct—

(a)that, for so long as the direction has effect in accordance with its terms, the post is not to be regarded as a politically restricted post; and

(b)that accordingly the post is not to be specified in the list maintained by the F59... authority under section 2(2) or (as the case may be) is to be removed from that list.

(4)A [F60local authority's head of paid service] may not give a direction under subsection (1)(b) in respect of any post unless the [F61head of paid service] is satisfied that—

(a)the duties of the post fall within section 2(3); and

(b)the post is neither—

(i)in any list maintained by the F62... authority in accordance with section 2(2) above or section 100G(2) of the Local Government Act 1972; nor

(ii)of a description specified in any regulations under section 2(2) above.

F63(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)Every local authority in England F64... must—

(a)give its [F65head of paid service] all such information as the [F66head of paid service] may reasonably require for the purpose of carrying out F67... functions under this section;

(b)comply with any direction under this section with respect to the list maintained by the authority; and

(c)on being given a direction under subsection (1)(b), notify the terms of the direction to the person who holds the post to which the direction relates.

(7)In carrying out F68... functions under this section a [F69local authority's head of paid service] must give priority, according to the time available before the election, to any application under subsection (1)(a) from a person who certifies that the application is made for the purpose of enabling him to be a candidate in a forthcoming election.

[F70(7A)In carrying out functions under this section a local authority's head of paid service must consult the monitoring officer of that authority (unless they are the same person).

(7B)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the application of this section to a local authority that is not required to designate one of its officers as the head of its paid service.

(7C)Regulations under subsection (7B) may apply any provisions of this section (with or without modifications) to an authority to which they apply.]

F71(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F71(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F71(10). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F47Ss. 3A, 3B inserted (E.W.) (31.1.2008 for specified purposes, 1.4.2008 so far as not already in force) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 202(2), 245(5); S.I. 2008/172, art. 9(2); S.I. 2008/172, art. 9(3)

F48Words in s. 3A(1) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(a); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F49Words in s. 3A(1) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(b), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F50Words in s. 3A(1)(a) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(c); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F51Word in s. 3A(1)(a) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(d), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F52Word in s. 3A(1)(b) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(d), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F53Word in s. 3A(2)(a) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(3), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F57Words in s. 3A(3) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(4)(a); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F58Words in s. 3A(3) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(4)(b); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F59Word in s. 3A(3)(b) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(4)(c), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F60Words in s. 3A(4) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(5)(a); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F61Words in s. 3A(4) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(5)(b); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F62Word in s. 3A(4)(b)(i) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(5)(c), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F63S. 3A(5) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(6), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F64Words in s. 3A(6) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(a), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F65Words in s. 3A(6)(a) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(b)(i); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F66Words in s. 3A(6)(a) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(b)(ii); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F67Word in s. 3A(6)(a) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(b)(iii), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F68Word in s. 3A(7) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(8)(a), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F69Words in s. 3A(7) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(8)(b); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F70S. 3A(7A)-(7C) inserted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(9); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F71S. 3A(8)-(10) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(10), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F473BGeneral advice as to politically restricted posts: EnglandE+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may in relation to England give such general advice with respect to the determination of questions arising by virtue of section 2(3) as he considers appropriate.

(2)Before giving general advice under this section the Secretary of State must consult such representatives of local government and such organisations appearing to him to represent employees in local government as he considers appropriate.]

Textual Amendments

F47Ss. 3A, 3B inserted (E.W.) (31.1.2008 for specified purposes, 1.4.2008 so far as not already in force) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 202(2), 245(5); S.I. 2008/172, art. 9(2); S.I. 2008/172, art. 9(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Duties of particular officersE+W+S

4 Designation and reports of head of paid service.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of every relevant authority—

(a)to designate one of their officers as the head of their paid service; and

(b)to provide that officer with such staff, accommodation and other resources as are, in his opinion, sufficient to allow his duties under this section to be performed.

[F72(1A)In the case of an elected local policing body, the body's chief executive is to be taken to have been designated as the head of the body's paid service (and, accordingly, subsection (1)(a) does not apply; but references to persons designated under this section include references to the body's chief executive).]

(2)It shall be the duty of the head of a relevant authority’s paid service, where he considers it appropriate to do so in respect of any proposals of his with respect to any of the matters specified in subsection (3) below, to prepare a report to the authority setting out his proposals.

(3)Those matters are—

(a)the manner in which the discharge by the authority of their different functions is co-ordinated;

(b)the number and grades of staff required by the authority for the discharge of their functions;

(c)the organisation of the authority’s staff; and

(d)the appointment and proper management of the authority’s staff.

(4)It shall be the duty of the head of a relevant authority’s paid service, as soon as practicable after he has prepared a report under this section, to arrange for a copy of it to be [F73sent—

(a)in the case of an elected local policing body, to the body and to the police and crime panel for the body's police area; and

[F74(aa)in the case of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, to the authority and to the police and crime panel for the police area—

(i)which corresponds to the authority's area, or

(ii)within which the area of the authority falls;]

[F75(ab)in the case of the London Fire Commissioner, to the Commissioner;]

(b)in any other case, to] each member of the authority.

(5)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority [F76(other than an elected local policing body)] to consider any report under this section by the head of their paid service at a meeting held not more than three months after copies of the report are first sent to members of the authority; and nothing in section 101 of the M16Local Government Act 1972 or in section 56 of [F77, or Schedule 10 or 20 to,] the M17Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (delegation) shall apply to the duty imposed by virtue of this subsection.

[F78(5A)It shall be the duty of an elected local policing body to consider any report under this section by the head of the body's paid service, and to do so no later than three months after the body is sent a copy of the report.]

[F79(5B)It shall be the duty of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 to consider any report under this section by the head of the authority's paid service and to do so no later than three months after the authority is sent a copy of the report.]

[F80(5C)It shall be the duty of the London Fire Commissioner to consider any report under this section by the head of the Commissioner's paid service and to do so no later than three months after the Commissioner is sent a copy of the report.]

(6)In this section “relevant authority”—

(a)in relation to England F81..., means a local authority of any of the descriptions specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) [F82 and (ja) to (jc)] of section 21(1) below [F83, an elected local policing body [F84, a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and the London Fire Commissioner]];

[F85(aa)in relation to Wales, means an elected local policing body;] and

(b)in relation to Scotland, [F86council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994].

(7)This section shall come into force at the expiry of the period of two months beginning on the day this Act is passed.

Textual Amendments

F74S. 4(4)(aa) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 62(2); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F75S. 4(4)(ab) inserted (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. 87(2); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F79S. 4(5B) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 62(3); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F80S. 4(5C) inserted (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. 87(3); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F82Words in s. 4(6)(a) substituted (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), s. 25(2), Sch. 5 para. 12(2)

F83Words in s. 4(6)(a) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 62(4); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F84Words in s. 4(6)(a) substituted (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. 87(4); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F86Words in s. 4(6)(b) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(3)(b) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C48S. 4 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 13(7)(a) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 4 applied (with modifications) (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 72(1) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

C55S. 4(2)-(6) applied (with modifications) (E.) (28.3.2008) by The Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/907), arts. 1, 17(6)

C56S. 4(2)-(5)(6) applied (with modifications) (E.) (25.5.2018) by The West Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/639), arts. 1, 9(7)

C57S. 4(2)-(5)(6) applied (with modifications) (E.) (25.5.2018) by The East Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/640), arts. 1, 9(7)

C58S. 4(2)-(5)(6) applied (with modifications) (E.) (26.5.2018) by The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/649), arts. 1, 9(7)

C59S. 4(2)-(5)(6) applied with modifications (E.) (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 13(7)

C60S. 4(2)-(5)(6) applied with modifications (E.) (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 28(7)

C62S. 4(2)-(5)(6) applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (14.2.2020) by The Northamptonshire (Structural Changes) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/156), arts. 1, 9(7)

C63S. 4(2)-(5)(6) applied (with modifications) (E.) (18.3.2022) by The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/331), arts. 1(1), 9(7)

Marginal Citations

5 Designation and reports of monitoring officer.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of every relevant authority—

(a)to designate one of their officers (to be known as “the monitoring officer”) as the officer responsible for performing the duties imposed by this section [F87and, where relevant, section 5A below]; and

(b)to provide that officer with such staff, accommodation and other resources as are, in his opinion, sufficient to allow those duties [F88and, where relevant, the duties under section 5A below] to be performed;

and [F89subject to subsection (1A) below] the officer so designated may be the head of the authority’s paid service F90... but shall not be their chief finance officer.

[F91(1A)The officer designated under subsection (1) above by a relevant authority to which this subsection applies may not be the head of that authority’s paid service.

(1B)Subsection (1A) above applies to the following relevant authorities in England F92...—

(a)a county council,

F93(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)a district council,

(d)a London borough council,

(e)the Greater London Authority, and

(f)the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority, police authority or port health authority.]

[F94(1BA)The officer designated under subsection (1)(a) above by a relevant authority which is the council of a county or county borough in Wales may not be the authority's chief executive.]

[F95(1BB)The officer designated under subsection (1)(a) above by a relevant authority which is a corporate joint committee may not be the authority’s chief executive.]

[F96(1C)In the case of an elected local policing body, the body's chief executive is to be taken to have been designated as the monitoring officer (and, accordingly, subsection (1)(a) does not apply; but references to persons designated under this section include references to the body's chief executive).]

(2)[F97Subject to subsection (2B),] it shall be the duty of a relevant authority’s monitoring officer, if it at any time appears to him that any proposal, decision or omission by the authority, by any committee, [F98or sub-committee of the authority, by any person holding any office or employment under the authority] or by any joint committee on which the authority are represented constitutes, has given rise to or is likely to or would give rise to—

(a)a contravention by the authority, by any committee, [F98or sub-committee of the authority, by any person holding any office or employment under the authority] or by any such joint committee of any enactment or rule of law [F99or of any code of practice made or approved by or under any enactment]; or

[F100(aa)any such maladministration or failure as is mentioned in Part 3 of the Local Government Act 1974 (Local Commissioners), or]

(b)any such maladministration or injustice as is mentioned in F101... Part II of the M18Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 (which makes corresponding provision for Scotland) [F102; or

(c)a matter which the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales would be entitled to investigate under the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 [F103or the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019],]

to prepare a report to the authority with respect to that proposal, decision or omission.

[F104(2A)No duty shall arise by virtue of subsection (2)(b) above unless a Local Commissioner (within the meaning of the M19Local Government Act 1974) has conducted an investigation under Part III of that Act in relation to the proposal, decision or omission concerned.]

[F105(2AA)No duty shall arise by virtue of subsection (2)(c) above unless the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has conducted an investigation under the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 [F106or the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019] in relation to the proposal, decision or omission concerned.]

[F107(2B)Where a relevant authority are operating executive arrangements, the monitoring officer of the relevant authority shall not make a report under subsection (2) in respect of any proposal, decision or omission unless it is a proposal, decision or omission made otherwise than by or on behalf of the relevant authority’s executive.]

(3)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority’s monitoring officer—

[F108(a)in preparing a report under this section to consult so far as practicable with—

(i)in the case of a relevant authority which is the council of a county or county borough in Wales, the person who is for the time being the authority’s chief executive and with their chief finance officer;

(ii)in the case of a relevant authority which is a corporate joint committee, the person who is for the time being appointed as the authority’s chief executive and with their chief finance officer;

(iii)in the case of any other relevant authority, the person who is for the time being designated as the head of the authority’s paid service under section 4 above and with their chief finance officer;]

[F109(aa)in the case of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, to the authority and to the police and crime panel for the police area—

(i)which corresponds to the authority's area, or

(ii)within which the area of the authority falls;]

[F110(ab)in the case of the London Fire Commissioner, to the Commissioner;]

(b)as soon as practicable after such a report has been prepared by him or his deputy, to arrange for a copy of it to be [F111sent—

(a) in the case of an elected local policing body, to the body and to the police and crime panel for the body's police area; and

(b) in any other case, to] each member of the authority [F112and, in a case where the relevant authority have a mayor and council manager executive, to the council manager of the authority].

[F113(3A)The references in subsection (2) above, in relation to a relevant authority in England, to a committee or sub-committee of the authority and to a joint committee on which they are represented shall be taken to include references to—

(a)any inshore fisheries and conservation authority (“IFC authority”) the members of which include persons who are members of the relevant authority, and

(b)any sub-committee appointed by such an authority;

but in relation to any such IFC authority or sub-committee the reference in subsection (3)(b) above to each member of the authority shall have effect as a reference to each member of the IFC authority or, as the case may be, of the IFC authority which appointed the sub-committee.]

F114(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority [F115and of any IFC authority falling within paragraph (a) of subsection (3A) above] [F116and of any such committee as is mentioned in subsection (4) above]—

(a)to consider any report under this section by a monitoring officer or his [F117deputy—

(i)in the case of an elected local policing body, no later than three months after the body is sent a copy of the report; and

[F118(ia)in the case of a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, no later than three months after the authority is sent a copy of the report;]

[F119(ib)in the case of the London Fire Commissioner, no later than three months after the Commissioner is sent a copy of the report;]

(ii)in any other case, at] a meeting held not more than twenty-one days after copies of the report are first sent to members of the authority [F120or committee]; and

(b)without prejudice to any duty imposed by virtue of section 115 of the M20Local Government Finance Act 1988 (duties in respect of conduct involving contraventions of financial obligations) or otherwise, to ensure that no step is taken for giving effect to any proposal or decision to which such a report relates at any time while the implementation of the proposal or decision is suspended in consequence of the report;

and nothing in section 101 of the M21Local Government Act 1972 or in section 56 of F121... the M22Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (delegation) shall apply to the duty imposed by virtue of paragraph (a) above.

[F122(5A)In the case of a relevant authority which is a corporate joint committee, regulation 13 of the Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (arrangements for the discharge of functions) does not apply to the duty imposed by virtue of subsection (5)(a).]

(6)For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (5) above the implementation of a proposal or decision to which a report under this section relates shall be suspended in consequence of the report until the end of the first business day after the day on which consideration of that report under paragraph (a) of that subsection is concluded.

(7)The duties of a relevant authority’s monitoring officer under this section shall be performed by him personally or, where he is unable to act owing to absence or illness, personally by such member of his staff as he has for the time being nominated as his deputy for the purposes of this section.

[F123(7A)Subsection (7) above shall have effect subject to section 82A of the Local Government Act 2000 (monitoring officers: delegation of functions under Part 3 of that Act).]

(8)In this section [F124and in section 5A]—

  • “business day”, in relation to a relevant authority, means any day which is not a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or any day which is a bank holiday under the M23Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in the part of Great Britain where the area of the authority is situated;

  • “chief finance officer”, in relation to a relevant authority, means the officer having responsibility, for the purposes of section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972, section 73 of the M24Local Government Act 1985, section 112 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 [F125, section 127(2) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999] [F126, Schedule 1 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011] [F127, section 4D(4) of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004] or section 6 below or for the purposes of section 95 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, for the administration of the authority’s financial affairs; [F128and]

  • [F129“inshore fisheries and conservation authority” means the authority for an inshore fisheries and conservation district established under section 149 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009;]

  • “relevant authority”—

(a)in relation to England and Wales, means a local authority of any of the descriptions specified in paragraphs (a) to [F130(k)] of section 21(1) below [F131, a corporate joint committee,] [F132an elected local policing body [F133, a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and the London Fire Commissioner]]; and

(b)in relation to Scotland, means a local authority.

[F134(8A)Any reference in this section to the duties of a monitoring officer imposed by this section, or to the duties of a monitoring officer under this section, shall include a reference to the functions which are conferred on a monitoring officer by virtue of Part III of the Local Government Act 2000.]

F135(8B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9)This section shall come into force at the expiry of the period of two months beginning on the day this Act is passed.

Textual Amendments

F87Words in s. 5(1)(a) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 23(1)(a); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 22(1)(a)

F88Words in s. 5(1)(b) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 23(1)(b); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 22(1)(b)

F89Words in s. 5(1) inserted (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 107(1), 108(4), Sch. 5 para. 24(1)(2)

F91S. 5(1A)(1B) inserted (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 107(1), 108(4), Sch. 5 para. 24(1)(3)

F97Words in s. 5(2) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 23(1)(c); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 22(1)(c)

F98Words in s. 5(2) substituted (1.10.1994 for specified purposes otherwise 1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 43, Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 35(b); S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch. (subject to art. 5)

F99Words in s. 5(2)(a) repealed (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 107(1)(2), 108(4), Sch. 5 para. 24(1)(4), Sch. 6

F104S. 5(2A) inserted (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 107(1), 108(4), Sch. 5 para. 24(1)(6)

F107S. 5(2B) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 23(1)(d); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 22(1)(d)

F109S. 5(3)(aa) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 63(2); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F110S. 5(3)(ab) inserted (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. 88(2); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F118S. 5(5)(a)(ia) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 63(3); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F119S. 5(5)(a)(ib) inserted (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. 88(3); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F123S. 5(7A) inserted (E.W.) (18.11.2003) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 113(3), 128(2)(d)

F124Words in s. 5(8) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 23(1)(f); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 22(1)(f)

F125S. 5(8): words in the definition of "chief finance officer" inserted (8.5.2000 for specified purposes, otherwise 3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 132(1)(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3434, arts. 3, 4

F127Words in s. 5(8) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 63(4)(a); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F130S. 5(8): words in para. (a) of the definition of "relevant authority" substituted (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 107(1), 108(4), Sch. 5 para. 24(1)(7)

F132Words in s. 5(8) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 63(4)(b); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F133Words in s. 5(8) substituted (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. 88(4); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F134S. 5(8A) inserted (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 107(1), 108(4), Sch. 5 para. 24(1)(8)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C64S. 5 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 13(7)(b) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

C66S. 5 applied (with modifications) (23.11.1995) by S.I. 1995/2803, art. 19(1), Sch. 6 para. 7(3)

C67S. 5 extended (with modifications) (8.9.2000) by 2000 asp 10, s. 36, Sch. 5 para. 15 (with s. 32); S.S.I. 2000/312, art. 2

C72S. 5 applied (with modifications) (E.) (3.3.2017) by The Tees Valley Combined Authority (Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/250), arts. 1(2), 7

C87S. 5(1) applied (10.5.2000) by S.I. 2000/1095, art. 6(5)(a)

C88S. 5(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (5.3.2008) by The Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/634), arts. 1, 8(4)

C89S. 5(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (28.3.2008) by The Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/907), arts. 1, 17(4)

C90S. 5(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (25.5.2018) by The West Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/639), arts. 1, 9(5)

C91S. 5(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (25.5.2018) by The East Suffolk (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/640), arts. 1, 9(5)

C92S. 5(2)-(7) applied with modifications (E.) (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 28(5)

C93S. 5(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (26.5.2018) by The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/649), arts. 1, 9(5)

C94S. 5(2)-(7) applied with modifications (E.) (26.5.2018) by The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/648), arts. 1, 13(5)

C95S. 5(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (23.5.2019) by The Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/957), arts. 1, 7(4)

C97S. 5(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (18.3.2022) by The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/331), arts. 1(1), 9(5)

Marginal Citations

[F1365A Reports of monitoring officer—local authorities operating executive arrangementsE+W

(1)Where a relevant authority are operating executive arrangements, the monitoring officer of that authority shall be responsible for performing the duties imposed by this section.

(2)It shall be the duty of the monitoring officer of a relevant authority that is referred to in subsection (1) above, if at any time it appears to him that any proposal, decision or omission, in the course of the discharge of functions of the relevant authority, by or on behalf of the relevant authority’s executive, constitutes, has given rise to or is likely to or would give rise to any of the events referred to in subsection (3), to prepare a report to the executive of the authority with respect to that proposal, decision or omission.

(3)The events referred to for the purposes of subsection (2) are—

(a)a contravention, by the relevant authority’s executive or any person on behalf of the executive, of any enactment or rule of law; or

(b)any such maladministration or [F137failure] as is mentioned in Part III of the Local Government Act 1974 F138 (Local Commissioners)[F139; or

(c)a matter which the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales would be entitled to investigate under the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 [F140or the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019].]

(4)No duty shall arise by virtue of subsection (3)(b) above unless a Local Commissioner (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1974) has conducted an investigation under Part III of that Act in relation to the proposal, decision or omission concerned.

[F141(4A)No duty shall arise by virtue of subsection (3)(c) above unless the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has conducted an investigation under the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 [F142or the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019] in relation to the proposal, decision or omission concerned.]

(5)It shall be the duty of an authority’s monitoring officer—

(a)in preparing a report under subsection (2) to consult so far as practicable with the person who is for the time being designated as the head of the authority’s paid service under section 4 above and with their chief finance officer [F143 or, in the case of a council of a county or county borough in Wales, with the person who is for the time being the authority's chief executive and with their chief finance officer]; and

(b)as soon as practicable after such a report has been prepared by him or his deputy, to arrange for a copy of it to be sent to each member of the authority [F144and, where the authority has a mayor and council manager executive, the council manager].

(6)It shall be the duty of the authority’s executive—

(a)to consider any report under this section by a monitoring officer or his deputy at a meeting held not more than twenty-one days after copies of the report are first sent to members of the executive; and

(b)without prejudice to any duty imposed by virtue of section 115B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (duties of executive as regards reports) or otherwise, to ensure that no step is taken for giving effect to any proposal or decision to which such a report relates at any time while the implementation of the proposal or decision is suspended in consequence of the report.

(7)For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subsection (6) above the implementation of a proposal or decision to which a report under this section, by a monitoring officer or his deputy, relates shall be suspended in consequence of the report until the end of the first business day after the day on which consideration of that report under paragraph (a) of that subsection is concluded.

(8)As soon as practicable after the executive has concluded its consideration of the report of the monitoring officer or his deputy, the executive shall prepare a report which specifies—

(a)what action (if any) the executive has taken in response to the report of the monitoring officer or his deputy;

(b)what action (if any) the executive proposes to take in response to that report and when it proposes to take that action; and

(c)the reasons for taking the action specified in the executive’s report or, as the case may be, for taking no action.

(9)As soon as practicable after the executive has prepared a report under subsection (8), the executive shall arrange for a copy of it to be sent to each member of the authority and the authority’s monitoring officer.

(10)The duties of an authority’s monitoring officer under this section shall be performed by him personally or, where he is unable to act owing to absence or illness, personally by such member of his staff as he has for the time being nominated as his deputy for the purposes of this section.]

Textual Amendments

F136S. 5A inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/3327, arts. 1(2), 23(2); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 22(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C98S. 5A(2)-(7) applied (with modifications) (E.) (5.3.2008) by The Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/634), arts. 1, 8(4)

C99S. 5A(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (E.) (28.3.2008) by The Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/907), arts. 1, 17(4)

C102S. 5A(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (E.) (26.5.2018) by The Somerset West and Taunton (Local Government Changes) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/649), arts. 1, 9(5)

C105S. 5A(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (E.) (23.5.2019) by The Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) Order 2019 (S.I. 2019/957), arts. 1, 7(4)

C106S. 5A(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (14.2.2020) by The Northamptonshire (Structural Changes) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/156), arts. 1, 9(5)

C107S. 5A(2)(5) applied (with modifications) (E.) (18.3.2022) by The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/331), arts. 1(1), 9(5)

6 Officer responsible for financial administration of certain authorities.E+W+S

(1)On and after the commencement day the Common Council shall—

(a)make arrangements for the proper administration of such of its financial affairs as relate to it in its capacity as a local authority, police authority or port health authority, and

(b)secure that one of its officers has responsibility for the administration of those affairs.

(2)Section 17 of the M25City of London Sewers Act 1897 (functions of the chamberlain of the City of London as regards financial affairs) shall cease to have effect on the commencement day.

(3)On and after the commencement day the person having responsibility for the administration of certain of the financial affairs of the Common Council under subsection (1) above shall—

(a)be a member of one or more of the bodies specified in subsection (5)below; or

(b)be the person who immediately before that day was the chamberlain of the City of London; or

(c)be a person who qualifies by virtue of section 113(2)(b) of the M26Local Government Finance Act 1988 (existing office holders) as a person who may be given responsibility for the financial affairs of an authority mentioned in section 111(2)(a) to (k) of that Act; or

(d)fulfil two or more of those conditions.

(4)On and after the commencement day the person having responsibility for the administration of the financial affairs of a new successor body under section 73 of the M27Local Government Act 1985 shall—

(a)be a member of one or more of the bodies specified in subsection (5)below; or

(b)be the person who immediately before that day had responsibility for the administration of the financial affairs of the body concerned under the said section 73; or

(c)be a person who qualifies by virtue of section 113(2)(b) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (existing office holders) as a person who may be given responsibility for the financial affairs of an authority mentioned insection 111(2)(a) to (k) of that Act; or

(d)fulfil two or more of those conditions.

(5)The bodies referred to in subsections (3)(a) and (4)(a) above are—

(a)the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales;

(b)the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland;

(c)the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants;

(d)the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy;

(e)the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland;

(f)the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants;

(g)any other body of accountants established in the United Kingdom and forthe time being approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

(6)The Secretary of State may make regulations containing, as regards the Common Council and any new successor body to which section 73 of the M28Local Government Act 1985 applies, provisions equivalent to sections 114 to 116 of the M29Local Government Finance Act 1988 (reports etc.) subject to—

(a)modifications to confine the provisions to the Common Council in its capacity as a local authority, police authority or port health authority; and

(b)any other modifications the Secretary of State thinks fit;

and any such regulations may contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with their other provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(7)In this section—

  • “the commencement day” means the day on which this section comes into force;

  • “the Common Council” means the Common Council of the City of London;

  • “new successor body” means a body corporate established at any time by an order under section 67(3) of the Local Government Act 1985 (new body succeeding to residuary body’s functions).

(8)This section shall come into force at the expiry of the period of two months beginning on the day this Act is passed.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

M251897 c. cxxxiii.

M261988c. 41.

M281985c. 51.

Appointment and management etc. of staffE+W+S

7 All staff to be appointed on merit.E+W+S

(1)Every appointment of a person to a paid office or employment under—

(a)a local authority or parish or community council in England and Wales, F145...

(aa)an elected local policing body,F146...

[F147(ab)a corporate joint committee, or]

(b)a local authority in Scotland,

shall be made on merit.

(2)Subsection (1) above applies to all appointments made by, or by any committee [F148or sub-committee] of, a local authority [F149, corporate joint committee] or parish or community council, whether made under section 112 of the Local Government Act 1972 or section 64 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (appointment of staff) or otherwise, but has effect subject to—

F150(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F151(b)section 18 of the M30Fire Services Act 1947 (regulations as to appointment etc. of chief officers and fire brigades);]

F152(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F152(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)section 113 of the M31Local Government Finance Act 1988 and section 6 above (qualifications of officers responsible for administration of financial affairs of certain authorities);

F153(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F154(g)sections 39, 40 and 49 to 51 of the Equality Act 2010 (employees and office-holders), so far as relating to disability, and Schedule 8 to that Act (reasonable adjustments for disabled persons) so far as it applies in relation to sections 39 and 49 to 51 of that Act;] and

[F154(h)paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 to that Act (occupational requirements), so far as relating to sex, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment or race.]

(3)This section shall come into force at the expiry of the period of two months beginning on the day this Act is passed.

Textual Amendments

F150S. 7(2)(a) omitted (2.12.1996) by virtue of 1995 c. 50, s. 70(4), Sch. 6 para. 5(a) (with ss. 59, 64, 65); S.I. 1996/1474, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. III

F151S. 7(2)(b) repealed (E.W.) (1.10.2004 except in relation to W., 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 2; S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2; S.I. 2004/2917, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C108S. 7 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 13(7) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 7 applied (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 67(6) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

C114S. 7(1)(aa) applied (with modifications) (E.) (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 33(2), Sch. 5 para. 9(5)

Marginal Citations

8 Duty to adopt standing orders with respect to staff.E+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations require relevant authorities, subject to such variations as may be authorised by the regulations—

(a)to incorporate such provision as may be prescribed by the regulations instanding orders relating to their staff; and

(b)to make or refrain from making such other modifications of any such standing orders as may be so prescribed.

(2)For the purposes of this section standing orders relate to the staff of a relevant authority if they make provision for regulating—

(a)the appointment of persons to paid office or employment under the authority; or

(b)the dismissal of persons holding such office or employment and the taking of other disciplinary action against such persons.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations under this section may require a relevant authority’s standing orders—

(a)so to restrict the manner of exercising the power to take steps for or towards the selection of candidates for interview, or for appointment, as to make it exercisable only by the authority themselves, by a committee orsub-committee of the authority or by particular officers of the authority;

(b)to restrict the power of the authority or any of their committees or sub-committees—

(i)to give directions to persons making appointments on their behalf as to the identity of the individuals to be appointed; or

(ii)otherwise to interfere with the making of appointments by such persons;

(c)to require the monitoring officer of the authority to prepare a report tothe authority in respect of every proposed appointment of a person to a politically restricted post;

(d)to require every such report to state whether, in the opinion of the monitoring officer, the proposed appointment can be made—

(i)without any contravention of any provision made by or under this Part; and

(ii)without any matter being taken into account which could not properly be taken into account;

and, if in his opinion it cannot be so made, his reasons; and

(e)to prohibit the authority or any committee, sub-committee or other person acting on their behalf from dismissing or taking other disciplinary action against a person holding office or employment under the authority except in accordance with recommendations contained in a report made to the authority by an independent person of such a description as is prescribed by the regulations.

(4)Regulations under this section may contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with their other provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate; and that provision may include—

(a)provision which, for the purposes of any such restriction as is mentioned in subsection (3) above, makes modifications of any enactment with respect to the delegation of a relevant authority’s functions;

(b)provision which (with or without modifications) applies provisions of section 5 above in relation to any report prepared in consequence of regulations made by virtue of subsection (3)(c) above;

(c)provision specifying the consequences—

(i)in relation to any appointment or contract of employment;

(ii)in relation to any proceedings on a complaint to an [F155employment tribunal]; and

(iii)in relation to any expenditure incurred by the authority,

of any contravention of standing orders made in pursuance of the regulations; and

[F156(d)without prejudice to section 191(1) below, special provision in relation to the appointment of persons—

(i)in pursuance of section 9 below;

(ii)for the purposes of functions exercised by joint committees on which relevant authorities are represented; and

(iii)in pursuance of regulations made under paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the Local Government Act 2000 (mayor’s assistant).]

(5)In this section “relevant authority”—

(a)in relation to England and Wales, means a local authority of any of the descriptions specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 21(1) below; and

[F157(aa)in relation to Wales, means a corporate joint committee;]

(b)in relation to Scotland, means a [F158council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994].

Textual Amendments

F155Words in s. 8(4)(c)(ii) substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a) (with s. 16(2)); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F158Words in s. 8(5)(b) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(5); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C115S. 8 with the omission of subsection (4)(c) extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 13(7) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 8 applied (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 67(6) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

9 Assistants for political groups.E+W+S

(1)Nothing in section 7(1) above or in any enactment, standing order or rule of law by virtue of which it is unlawful for a relevant authority or any committee or sub-committee of such an authority to have regard to any person’s political activities or affiliations in determining whether he should be appointed to any paid office or employment under the authority shall apply to the appointment of a person in pursuance of this section.

(2)An appointment is an appointment in pursuance of this section if—

(a)the appointment is made for the purpose of providing assistance, in the discharge of any of their functions as members of a relevant authority, to the members of any political group to which members of the authority belong;

(b)the terms of the appointment comply with subsection (3) below;

(c)the appointment is to one of not more than three posts which a relevant authority have decided to create for the purposes of this section; and

(d)each of those posts falls, under the standing orders of the authority, to be filled from time to time in accordance with the wishes of a political group to which the post has been allocated under those standing orders.

(3)The terms on which any person is appointed to or holds any appointment in pursuance of this section must be such as secure that the annual rate of remuneration for the post is less than the relevant amount and that the appointment terminates at or before the end of—

(a)in the case of a post under an authority in England and Wales, the day in the appropriate year on which the authority hold the meeting which they are required to hold in pursuance of paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12 to the M32Local Government Act 1972 (annual meeting of principal councils); and

(b)in the case of a post under an authority in Scotland, the first day after the appointment on which a meeting is held in pursuance of the requirement under paragraph 1 of Schedule 7 to the M33Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that a meeting is held within twenty-one days from the date of an election.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) above the annual rate of remuneration for a post under a relevant authority is less than the relevant amount if the annual rate of remuneration in respect of the post—

(a)is less than £13,500 or such higher amount as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument specify; and

(b)where that post is a part time post, would be less than that amount if it were a full time post and carried remuneration at the same rate;

and a statutory instrument containing an order under this subsection shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

[F159(4A)An order made under subsection (4)(a) above in relation to England or Wales may, instead of specifying an amount, specify a point on a relevant scale specified by the order.

(4B)A “relevant scale” is a scale consisting of points and of amounts corresponding to those points.

(4C)In relation to any time while an order made by virtue of subsection (4A) above is in force, the amount that at that time corresponds to the point specified by the order is to be treated for the purposes of subsection (4)(a) above as specified by the order.]

(5)The standing orders of a relevant authority the members of which are divided into different political groups shall, for the purposes of subsection (2)(d) above—

(a)prohibit the making of an appointment to any post allocated to a political group until the authority have allocated a post to each of the groups which qualify for one;

(b)prohibit the allocation of a post to a political group which does not qualify for one; and

(c)prohibit the allocation of more than one post to any one political group.

(6)Subject to subsection (7) below, where the members of a relevant authority are divided into different political groups, a group shall qualify for a post if—

(a)the membership of that group comprises at least one-tenth of the membership of the authority;

(b)the number of the other groups (if any) which are larger than that group does not exceed two; and

(c)where the number of the other groups which are the same size as or larger than that group exceeds two, the authority have determined that that group should be a group to which a post is allocated;

and it shall be the duty of a relevant authority, before making any allocation for the purposes of this section in a case in which there are groups which would qualify for posts if paragraph (c) above were disregarded, to make such determinations under that paragraph as secure that there are no more nor less than three groups which do qualify for a post.

(7)Where the members of a relevant authority are divided into political groups only one of which has a membership that comprises one-tenth or more of the membership of the authority—

(a)the groups qualifying for a post shall be that group and one other group;and

(b)the other group shall be the one with the next largest membership or, in a case in which there is more than one group with the next largest membership, such one of those groups as may be determined by the authority;

and, in such a case, it shall be the duty of the authority to determine which of the groups with the next largest membership is to qualify for a post before making any allocation for the purposes of this section to the group with the largest membership.

(8)Neither a relevant authority nor any committee or sub-committee of a relevant authority shall exercise any power under—

(a)section 101 of the M34Local Government Act 1972 (delegation); or

(b)section 56 of [F160, or Schedule 10 or 20 to,] the M35Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (which makes corresponding provision for Scotland), [F161; or

(c)Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 (arrangements with respect to executives etc.)]

so as to arrange for the discharge of any of the authority’s functions by any person who holds a post under the authority to which he was appointed in pursuance of this section.

[F162(8A)Neither an executive, a committee of an executive or a member of an executive, of a relevant authority, shall exercise any power under—

(a)sections 14 to 18 of the Local Government Act 2000 (discharge of functions); or

(b)section 101(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 (arrangements for the discharge of functions by local authorities),

so as to arrange for the discharge of any of the authority’s functions by any person who holds a post under the authority to which he was appointed in pursuance of this section.

(8B)An area committee of a relevant authority shall not exercise any power under arrangements made under regulations made under section 18 of the Local Government Act 2000 (discharge of functions by area committees) so as to arrange for the discharge of any of the authority’s functions by any person who holds a post under the authority to which he was appointed in pursuance of this section.]

(9)No person holding any office or employment under a relevant authority shall be required to work under the direction of a person holding a post to which he was appointed in pursuance of this section except for the purpose of providing that person, or the political group to which his post is allocated, with secretarial or clerical services.

(10)Without prejudice to section 8 above, the Secretary of State may, for the purposes of this section and any standing orders relating to appointments in pursuance of this section, by regulations make provision—

(a)as to the circumstances in which the members of a relevant authority areto be treated as divided into different political groups;

(b)as to the persons who are to be treated as members of such a group and as to when a person is to be treated as having ceased to be a member of such a group;

(c)requiring the question whether a person is or is not a member of apolitical group to be determined in such manner as may be provided for by or under the regulations;

(d)requiring a relevant authority from time to time to review allocations made for the purposes of this section;

(e)specifying the manner in which, and times at which, the wishes of a political group are to be expressed and the consequences of a failure by such a group to express its wishes;

and regulations under this section may contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with their other provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(11)In this section—

  • “appropriate year”, in relation to a post held by any person under a relevant authority, means—

    (a)

    where the authority is [F163 subject to whole council elections by virtue of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007], the period of twelve months beginning with the first such election to be held after that person is appointed to that post; and

    (b)

    in any other case, the period of twelve months beginning with the third anniversary of that person’s appointment to that post;

  • [F164“area committee” has the same meaning as in section 18 of the Local Government Act 2000;]

  • “membership”, in relation to a relevant authority, means the number of persons who are for the time being members of the authority;

  • “relevant authority”—

    (a)

    in relation to England and Wales, means the council of any county, [F165county borough] district or London borough; and

    (b)

    in relation to Scotland, means a [F166council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994].

Textual Amendments

F160Words in s. 9(8)(b) repealed (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1)(2), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(6)(a), Sch. 14 (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)(d), Sch. 2

F161S. 9(8)(c) and the word preceding it inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 24(a); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 23(a)

F162S. 9(8A)(8B) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 24(b); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 23(b)

F164S. 9(11): definition of "area committee" inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 24(c); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 23(c)

F165S. 9(11): words in the definition of “relevant authority" para. (a) inserted (7.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3071, art. 2, Sch. para. 3(1)

F166S. 9(11): words in the definition of “relevant authority" para. (b) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(6)(b) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C118S. 9 applied in part (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 67(8) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

C120S. 9 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (8.5.2017) by The West of England Combined Authority Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/126), arts. 1(4), 23(5)(6)

C126S. 9 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3) of the amending S.I.) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(3), 4(5)(6)

C127S. 9 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 5(5)(6)

C128S. 9 applied in part (with modifications) (E.) (28.2.2024) by The East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/232), regs. 1(2), 6(5)(6)

Marginal Citations

10 Limit on paid leave for local authority duties.E+W+S

(1)Notwithstanding anything in [F167section 50(4) of the Employment Rights Act 1996] (conditions of time off for public duties), where—

(a)a local authority permit an employee of theirs to take time off for the purpose of performing the duties of a member of a relevant council; and

(b)those duties do not include the duties of chairman of the council,

it shall be unlawful for the authority to make any payment of remuneration or other payment to that employee in respect of so much (if any)of any time off for that purpose as is in excess of two hundred and eight hours in any one financial year and is time off to which the employee would not be entitled apart from his membership of that council.

(2)In this section—

  • “chairman”, in relation to a relevant council, includes any corresponding office the holder of which is referred to as mayor or Lord Mayor or by any other description;

  • “employee” has the same meaning as in the [F168the Employment Rights Act 1996];

  • “financial year” means the twelve months ending with 31st March;F169...

  • [F170“local authority” includes a corporate joint committee; and]

  • “relevant council” means the council of any county, [F171county borough] district or London borough, the Common Council of the City of London, a parish orcommunity council or any council in Scotland which is a local authority for the purposes of [F172subsection (2) of section 50] of that Act (time off for public duties);

and subsection (3) of that section (meaning of duties of a member of a body) shall apply for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section.

Textual Amendments

F167Words in s. 10(1) substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 18, ss. 240, 243, Sch. 1 para. 44(a) (with ss. 191-195, 202)

F168S. 10(2): words in the definition of “employee" substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 18, ss. 240, 243, Sch. 1 para. 44(b)(i) (with ss. 191-195, 202)

F171S. 10(2): words in the definition of “relevant council" inserted (7.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3071, art. 2, Sch. para. 3(2)

F172S. 10(2): words in the definition of “relevant council" substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 18, ss. 240, 243, Sch. 1 para. 44(b)(ii) (with ss. 191-195, 202)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C130S. 10 applied (S.) (temp. 6.4.1995 to 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

S. 10 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 11(3) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

11 Confidentiality of staff records.E+W+S

(1)Nothing in [F173section 17 of the M36Local Government Finance Act 1982 or] F174... section 101 or 106 of the M37Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 [F175(public inspection of accounts etc)] shall entitle any person—

(a)to inspect so much of any document as contains personal information about a member of the relevant body’s staff; or

(b)to require any such information to be disclosed in answer to any question.

(2)Information shall be regarded as personal information about a member of the relevant body’s staff if it relates specifically to a particular individual and is available to that body for reasons connected with the fact—

(a)that that individual holds or has held any office or employment under that body; or

(b)that payments or other benefits in respect of any office or employment under any other person are or have been made or provided to that individual by that body.

(3)In this section—

  • “document” includes accounts, books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts; and

  • “relevant body” in relation to accounts which are required to be audited in accordance with F176... Part VII of the said Act of 1973, means the body whose accounts are required to be audited F177...;

and references in this section to a payment made or benefit provided to an individual in respect of any office or employment include references to a payment made or benefit provided to him in respect of his ceasing to hold the office or employment.

(4)This section shall have effect only in relation to—

(a)the inspection of, or of documents relating to, accounts for periods beginning on or after 1st April 1990; and

(b)the disclosure of information in answer to questions about such accounts.

Textual Amendments

F173Words in s. 11(1) repealed (E.W.) (11.9.1998) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 54(1)(3), 55(2), Sch. 3 para. 18(1)(a), Sch. 5

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C133S. 11 applied (S.) (temp.) (6.4.1995 to 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

Marginal Citations

M371973c. 65.

12 Conflict of interest in staff negotiations.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of a local authority to secure that, so far as practicable, the interests of that authority in any negotiations with respect to the terms and conditions on which persons in local authority employment hold office or are employed are never represented, whether directly or indirectly by, or by persons who include—

(a)a person who is both a member of the authority and in such employment; or

(b)a person who is both a member of the authority and an official or employeeof a trade union whose members include persons in local authority employment.

(2)In this section—

  • [F178“local authority” includes a corporate joint committee;]

  • F179[ “member”, in relation to a trade union consisting wholly or partly of, or of representatives of, constituent or affiliated organisations, includes a member of any of its constituent or affiliated trade unions;]

  • “official” and “trade union” have the same meanings as in M38[F180the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992]

and a person shall be treated for the purposes of this section as in local authority employment if he holds any paid office or employment under a local authority or any such paid office or employment under any other person as, by virtue of section 80(1)(a) [F181or section 80C(1)] of the M39Local Government Act 1972 or section 31(1)(a) of the M40Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, disqualifies him for membership of any authority.

(3)This section shall come into force at the expiry of the period of two months beginning on the day this Act is passed.

Textual Amendments

F179Definition of 'member' in s. 12(2) substituted (16.10.1992) by Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52), ss. 300(2), 302, Sch. 2 para. 39(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C134S. 12 applied (S.) (temp. 6.4.1995 to 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

S. 12 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 13(8) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 12 applied (with modifications) by 1995 c. x, ss. 1(3), 44, Sch. Pt. I

Marginal Citations

Voting rights of members of certain committeesE+W+S

13 Voting rights of members of certain committees: England and Wales.E+W+S

(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, a person who—

(a)is a member of a committee appointed under a power to which this section applies by a relevant authority and is not a member of that authority;

(b)is a member of a joint committee appointed under such a power by two or more relevant authorities and is not a member of any of those authorities; or

(c)is a member of a sub-committee appointed under such a power by such a committee as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above and is not a member of the relevant authority, or one of the relevant authorities, which appointed that committee,

shall for all purposes be treated as a non-voting member of that committee, joint committee or, as the case may be, sub-committee.

(2)The powers to which this section applies are—

(a)the powers conferred on any relevant authority by subsection (1) of section 102 of the M41Local Government Act 1972 (ordinary committees, joint committees and sub-committees);

F182(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F183(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)Nothing in subsection (1) above shall require a person to be treated as a non-voting member of a committee or sub-committee falling within subsection (4) below; but, except—

(a)in the case of a sub-committee appointed by a committee falling within paragraph (e) of that subsection; and

(b)in such cases as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State,

a person who is a member of a sub-committee falling within that subsection shall for all purposes be treated as a non-voting member of that sub-committee unless he is a member of the committee which appointed the sub-committee.

(4)A committee or sub-committee falls within this subsection if it is—

F184(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F185(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c)a committee established in accordance with any regulations made by virtue of section 7 of the M42Superannuation Act 1972 (regulations making provision for the superannuation of persons employed in local government service etc.);

F186(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)a committee appointed under section 102(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (appointment of advisory committees by local authorities);

(f)a committee constituted in accordance with [F187Part I of Schedule 33 to the Education Act 1996 (constitution of appeal committees for admission appeals etc.)];

[F188(fa)an inshore fisheries and conservation authority for a district established under section 149 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009;]

[F189(fb)a committee of a relevant authority which is the scheme manager (or scheme manager and pension board) of a scheme under section 1 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013;]

(g)a committee established exclusively for the purpose of discharging such functions of a relevant authority as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

(h)a sub-committee appointed by a committee falling within any of [F190paragraphs (b) to (g)] above or such a sub-committee as is so prescribed.

[F191(5)Nothing in this section shall prevent the appointment of a person who is not a member of a [F192local authority] as a voting member of—

(a)any committee or sub-committee appointed by the local authority wholly or partly for the purpose of discharging any [F193education functions of the authority],

(b)any joint committee appointed by two or more local authorities wholly or partly for the purpose of discharging any [F194education functions of the authorities], or

(c)any sub-committee appointed by any such committee or joint committee wholly or partly for the purpose of discharging any of that committee’s functions with respect to education,

where that appointment is required [F195either] by directions given by the Secretary of State under section 499 of the Education Act 1996 (power of Secretary of State to direct appointment of members of committees) [F196or pursuant to regulations under subsection (6) of that section].]

[F197(5ZA)Nothing in this section shall prevent the appointment of a police and crime commissioner as a voting member of—

(a)any committee or sub-committee appointed by a local authority in England wholly or partly for the purposes of discharging functions of a fire and rescue authority,

(b)any joint committee appointed by two or more local authorities in England wholly or partly for the purposes of discharging such functions, or

(c)any sub-committee appointed by any such committee or joint committee wholly or partly for the purposes of discharging such functions.

(5ZB)In subsection (5ZA) “local authority” does not include—

(a)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,

(b)a joint authority which is a metropolitan county fire and rescue authority, or

(c)the London Fire Commissioner.]

[F198(5A)Nothing in this section shall prevent the appointment of a council manager of a local authority, or one other officer of that local authority in his place, as a voting member of a joint committee, or a sub-committee of such a committee, where—

(a)that local authority have a mayor and council manager executive F199; and

(b)the joint committee or the sub-committee has been appointed for the purpose of discharging functions which, as respects that local authority, are the responsibility of that executive.]

[F200(6)The Secretary of State may, if it appears to him appropriate to do so inconsequence of the preceding provisions of this section, withdraw any approval given before the coming into force of this section in relation to any arrangements for the purposes of paragraph 1 of Part II of Schedule 1 to the said Act of 1944].

(7)Where a person is treated by virtue of this section as a non-voting member of any committee, joint committee or sub-committee, he shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the committee, joint committee or sub-committee on any question which falls to be decided at that meeting; and the reference in subsection (5) above to a voting member, in relation to any [F201committee, joint committee or sub-committee appointed for the purpose mentioned in that subsection], is a reference to a person who is entitled to vote at any meeting of that committee or sub-committee on any question which falls to be decided at that meeting.

(8)In subsection (3) of section 102 of the M43Local Government Act 1972, the words from “but at least” onwards (which require at least two-thirds of certain committees to be members of the appointing authority or authorities) shall be omitted.

(9)In this section—

  • [F202“council manager”, “executive” [F203and “mayor and council manager executive]” have the same meaning as in Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 (arrangements with respect to executives etc.); F204...]

  • [F205“education functions” has the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996; and]

  • F206...

  • “relevant authority” means a local authority of any of the descriptions specified in [F207paragraphs (a) to (f) [F208, (h) to [F209(jc)] or (n)]] of section 21(1) below or any parish or community council;

and references in this section to voting include references to making use of a casting vote.

Textual Amendments

F183S. 13(2)(c) repealed (1.4.2005 for E., 1.4.2006 for W.) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), Sch. 5 Pt. 4; S.I. 2005/394, art. 2(2)(g); S.I. 2006/885, art. 2(h)

F184S. 13(4)(a) repealed (1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 93, Sch. 9 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch. (subject to art. 5)

F186S. 13(4)(d) repealed (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(3), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/2560, art. 2, Sch.

F187Words in s. 13(4)(f) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(1), 583(2), Sch. 37 Pt. I para. 96(1)(2) (with ss. 1(4), 561, 562, Sch. 39 paras. 30, 39)

F190Words in s. 13(4)(h) substituted (1.10.1994 for specified purposes otherwise 1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, ss. 43, 94(1), Sch. 4 para. 36(a); S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch. (subject to art. 5)

F195Word in s. 13(5) inserted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30, para. 22(a) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F196Words in s. 13(5) inserted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30, para. 22(b) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F197S. 13(5ZA)(5ZB) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 7(8), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 3

F199See regulations 11 and 12 of the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2851) and the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Discharge of Functions) (Wales) Regulations 2001 (S.I. 2001/2287 (W.175)).

F201Words in s. 13(7) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(1), 583(2), Sch. 37 Pt. I para. 96(1)(4) (with ss. 1(4), 561, 562, Sch. 39 paras. 30, 39)

F202S. 13(9): definition inserted (E.) (18.5.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/1517, art. 6(1)(b); S.I. 2002/803, art. 6(1)(b)

F206S. 13(9): the definition of “foundation governors” and the “and” immediately following it repealed (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(1)(2), 583(2), Sch. 37 Pt. I para. 96(1)(5), Sch. 38 Pt. I (with ss. 1(4), 561, 562, Sch. 39 paras. 5, 6, 8, 30, 39)

F207S. 13(9): words in the definition of “relevant authority” substituted (1.10.1994 for specified purposes otherwise 1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, ss. 43, 94(1), Sch. 4 para. 36(a); S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch. (subject to art. 5)

F208Words in s. 13(9) substituted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 5.5.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 39(5)(a), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2017/546, art. 3(a)

F209Word in s. 13(9) substituted (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), s. 25(2), Sch. 5 para. 12(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C140S. 13 applied (12.11.2009 for specified purposes, 1.10.2010 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 151(7)(b), 324(1)(c)(d) (with ss. 172(3), 185); S.I. 2010/2195, art. 3(2)(b)

Marginal Citations

14 Voting rights of members of certain committees: Scotland.E+W+S

(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, a person who—

(a)is a member of a committee appointed under subsection (1) of section 57of the M44Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 by a relevant authority and is not a member of that authority;

(b)is a member of a joint committee appointed under that subsection by two or more relevant authorities and is not a member of any of those authorities; or

(c)is a member of a sub-committee appointed under that subsection by such a committee as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) above and is not a member of the relevant authority, or one of the relevant authorities, which appointed that committee,

shall for all purposes be treated as a non-voting member of that committee, joint committee or, as the case may be, sub-committee.

F210(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F210(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Nothing in [F211subsection (1)] above shall require a person to be treated as a non-voting member of a committee or sub-committee falling within subsection (5) below; but, except—

(a)in the case of a sub-committee appointed by a committee falling within paragraph (b) of that subsection; and

(b)in such cases as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State,

a person who is a member of a sub-committee falling within that subsection shall for all purposes be treated as a non-voting member of that sub-committee unless he is a member of the committee which appointed the sub-committee.

(5)A committee or sub-committee falls within this subsection if it is—

(a)a committee established in accordance with any regulations made by virtue of section 7 of the M45Superannuation Act 1972 (regulations making provision for the superannuation of persons employed in local government service etc.);

(b)a committee appointed under section 57(4) of the M46Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (appointment of advisory committees by local authorities);

(c)a committee constituted in accordance with Schedule A1 to the M47Education (Scotland) Act 1980 (appeal committees for hearing placing and other appeals);

F212(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e)a committee established exclusively for the purpose of discharging such functions of a relevant authority as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

(f)a sub-committee appointed by a committee falling within any of paragraphs (a) to [F213(c) or] (e) above or such a sub-committee as is so prescribed.

[F214(6)Nothing in this section shall prevent the appointment as a voting member of—

(a)a committee such as is mentioned in subsection (1) of section 124 of the M48Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (committees appointed by education authority); or

(b)a joint committee of two or more authorities whose purposes include either of those mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection; or

(c)any sub-committee of such a committee or joint committee,

of a person such as is mentioned in subsection (4) of the said section 124.]

(7)Where a person is treated by virtue of this section as a non-voting member of any committee, joint committee or sub-committee, he shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of the committee, joint committee or sub-committee on any question which falls to be decided at that meeting; and the reference in subsection (6) above to a voting member, in relation to any such committee, joint committee or sub-committee as is mentioned in that subsection, is a reference to a person who is entitled to vote at any meeting of that committee, joint committee or sub-committee on any question which falls to be decided at that meeting.

(8)In the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973—

(a)in section 57(3), the words from “but at least” onwards (which require at least two-thirds of certain committees to be members of the appointing authority or authorities);

[F215(aa)section 124(5);]

(b)in section 161(6), the words from “but at least” onwards (which make corresponding provision in relation to a social work committee);

(c)in Schedule 10, paragraph 11 (which requires at least half of a joint education committee to be members of the appointing authorities);

(d)in Schedule 20, paragraph 10 (which requires at least two-thirds of a joint social work committee to be members of the appointing authorities),

shall be omitted.

(9)In this section “relevant authority” means a [F216council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]; and references in this section to voting include references to making use of a casting vote.

Textual Amendments

F211Words in s. 14(4) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(7)(b) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

F216Words in s. 14(9) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(7)(f) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

Political balance on committees etc.E+W+S

15 Duty to allocate seats to political groups.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority having power from time to time to make appointments to a body to which this section applies to review the representation of different political groups on that body—

(a)where the members of the authority are divided into different political groups at the time when this section comes into force, as soon as practicable after that time;

(b)where the authority hold annual meetings in pursuance of paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12 to the M49Local Government Act 1972 (annual meeting of principal councils) and the members of the authority are divided into different political groups at the time of any such meeting, at or as soon as practicable after the meeting;

(c)where, at the time of the meeting required by paragraph 1 of Schedule 7 to the M50Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to be held in an election year within twenty-one days of the election, the members of the authority are divided into different political groups, at or as soon as practicable after the meeting;

(d)as soon as practicable after any such division as is mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) above occurs; and

(e)at such other times as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(2)Except in such cases as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, it shall be the duty of every committee of a relevant authority which is a committee having power from time to time to make appointments to a body to which this section applies to review the representation of different political groups on that body—

(a)where the members of the authority are divided into different political groups at the time when this section comes into force, as soon as practicable after that time; and

(b)as soon as practicable after any occasion on which the members of the committee are changed in consequence of a determination under this section.

(3)Where at any time the representation of different political groups on a body to which this section applies falls to be reviewed under this section by any relevant authority or committee of a relevant authority, it shall be the duty of that authority or committee, as soon as practicable after the review, to determine the allocation to the different political groups into which the members of the authority are divided of all the seats which fall to be filled by appointments made from time to time by that authority or committee.

(4)Subject to subsection (6) below, it shall be the duty of a relevant authority or committee of a relevant authority—

(a)in performing their duty under subsection (3) above; and

(b)in exercising their power, at times not mentioned in subsection (3) above, to determine the allocation to different political groups of seats on a body to which this section applies,

to make only such determinations as give effect, so far as reasonably practicable, to the principles specified in subsection (5) below.

(5)The principles mentioned in subsection (4) above, in relation to the seats on any body which fall to be filled by appointments made by any relevant authority or committee of a relevant authority, are—

(a)that not all the seats on the body are allocated to the same political group;

(b)that the majority of the seats on the body is allocated to a particular political group if the number of persons belonging to that group is a majority of the authority’s membership;

(c)subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) above, that the number of seats on the ordinary committees of a relevant authority which are allocated to each political group bears the same proportion to the total of all the seats on the ordinary committees of that authority as is borne by the number of members of that group to the membership of the authority; and

(d)subject to paragraphs (a) to (c) above, that the number of the seats on the body which are allocated to each political group bears the same proportion to the number of all the seats on that body as is borne by the number of members of that group to the membership of the authority.

(6)Where any relevant authority or committee of a relevant authority are required, in determining the allocation to different political groups of seats on a body to which this section applies, to give effect to the principles specified in subsection (5) above—

(a)any seats which, in accordance—

(i)with provision made by virtue of subsection (5) of section 13 above; or

(ii)with subsection (6) of section 14 above,

are to be or may be filled by the appointment of persons who are not members of the authority shall be taken into account for the purpose of determining how many seats constitute a majority of the seats on a body mentioned in either of those subsections; but

(b)that authority or committee shall, in making that determination, disregard for all other purposes any seats which, in accordance with any such provision, the said subsection (6) or otherwise, are to be or may be so filled;

and for the purposes of this subsection a seat on an advisory committee of a relevant authority or on a sub-committee appointed by such an advisory committee shall not be treated as one which may be so filled unless the authority have determined that it must be so filled.

(7)Schedule 1 to this Act shall have effect for determining the bodies to which this section applies and for the construction of this section and sections 16 and 17 below.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C158Ss. 15-17 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1990/1553, regs. 21, 22

C159Ss. 15, 16 modified by S.I. 1990/1553, reg. 16(1)(2)

C160S. 15 excluded (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 30(11), 31(9) (with ss. 54(7), 55(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 5

S. 15 applied (with modifications) (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 57(1) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

S. 15 extended (E.W.) (26.11.2000 for E. and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22 ss. 21(11)(b), 108(4); S.I. 2000/2849, art. 2(a)

S. 15 excluded (E.W.) (19.12.2000 for E. and police authorities in Wales otherwise 28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 53(10), 108(4); S.I. 2000/3335, art. 2

S. 15 applied (E.) (2.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/1299, reg. 6(10)(b)

S. 15 excluded (W.) (28.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2283, reg. 12

S. 15 applied (W.) (28.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2284, reg. 5(1)(b)

C161S. 15 applied in part (with modifications) (E.W.) (7.7.2005) by The North Northamptonshire Joint Committee Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1552), arts. 1(2), 5(3)

C164S. 15 modified (3.12.2011 for specified purposes, 4.5.2012 in so far as not already in force) by 2000 c. 22, s. 9FA(6)(b) (as inserted by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 2 para. 1; S.I. 2011/2896, art. 2(e); S.I. 2012/1008, art. 4(b))

C165S. 15 excluded (3.12.2011 for specified purposes, 4.5.2012 in so far as not already in force) by 2000 c. 22, s. 9GC (as inserted by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 2 para. 1; S.I. 2011/2896, art. 2(e); S.I. 2012/1008, art. 4(b))

C169Ss. 15-17: power to apply (with or without modifications) conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, s. 107D(4)(f) (as inserted (E.W.) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), ss. 4(1), 25(2))

C170Ss. 15-17: power to exclude conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, s. 107E(4) (as inserted (E.W.) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), ss. 4(1), 25(2))

C171Ss. 15-17: power to exclude conferred (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 32(4), 255(2)(c) (with s. 247)

C172S. 15(2)(3)(5) modified by S.I. 1990/1553, reg. 23 (as added by S.I. 1991/1398, reg. 8)

Marginal Citations

16 Duty to give effect to allocations.E+W+S

(1)Where any relevant authority or any committee of a relevant authority have determined the allocation to different political groups of the seats on a body to which section 15 above applies, it shall be the duty of that authority or committee so to exercise their power to make appointments to that body as to give effect—

(a)as soon as practicable after the determination; and

(b)if a vacancy subsequently occurs on that body, as soon as practicable after the occurrence of the vacancy,

to such wishes about who is to be appointed to the seats on that body which are allocated to a particular political group as are expressed by that group.

(2)Where—

(a)any person has been appointed, otherwise than for a fixed term, to a body to which section 15 above applies; and

(b)that appointment was made, in pursuance of subsection (1) above, in accordance with the wishes of a political group,

then, so long as that person’s seat continues to be allocated to that group, the authority or committee which made the appointment shall act in accordance with the wishes of that group in determining whether and when to terminate the appointment.

(3)The proceedings of a body to which section 15 above applies shall not be invalidated by any defect by virtue of this section or that section in the appointment of any person to that body.

(4)This section applies in relation to an allocation of seats to different political groups whether or not that allocation is made in pursuance of any duty under section 15 above.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C169Ss. 15-17: power to apply (with or without modifications) conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, s. 107D(4)(f) (as inserted (E.W.) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), ss. 4(1), 25(2))

C170Ss. 15-17: power to exclude conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, s. 107E(4) (as inserted (E.W.) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), ss. 4(1), 25(2))

C171Ss. 15-17: power to exclude conferred (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 32(4), 255(2)(c) (with s. 247)

C173Ss. 15-17 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1990/1553, regs. 21, 22

C174Ss. 15, 16 modified by S.I. 1990/1553, reg. 16(1)(2)

C175S. 16 applied (with modifications) (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 57(1) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

C176S. 16 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (7.7.2005) by The North Northamptonshire Joint Committee Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1552), arts. 1(2), 5(3)

17 Exceptions to and extensions of political balance requirements.E+W+S

(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, sections 15 and 16 above shall not apply in relation to appointments by a relevant authority or committee of a relevant authority to any body in so far as different provision is made by arrangements approved by the authority or committee—

(a)in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

(b)without any member of the authority or committee voting against them.

(2)Arrangements approved under subsection (1) above in relation to any body shall not affect any duty imposed by virtue of section 15(1)(c), (d) or (e) or (2) above on a relevant authority or committee to review the representation of different political groups on that body; and, accordingly, such arrangements shall cease to have effect when any such duty arises.

(3)The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of securing what appears to him to be the appropriate representation of different political groups on any sub-committee falling within subsection (4) below, by regulations make such provision as he thinks fit.

(4)The sub-committees that fall within this subsection are those to which appointments may be made by bodies to which section 15 above applies but which are not themselves such bodies.

(5)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3) above, regulations under that subsection may contain provision applying, with or without modifications, any provision made by or under section 15 or 16 above, subsections (1) and (2) above or Schedule 1 to this Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C169Ss. 15-17: power to apply (with or without modifications) conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, s. 107D(4)(f) (as inserted (E.W.) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), ss. 4(1), 25(2))

C170Ss. 15-17: power to exclude conferred (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by 2009 c. 20, s. 107E(4) (as inserted (E.W.) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), ss. 4(1), 25(2))

C171Ss. 15-17: power to exclude conferred (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 32(4), 255(2)(c) (with s. 247)

C178Ss. 15-17 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 1990/1553, regs. 21, 22

C179S. 17 applied (with modifications) (8.5.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 57(1) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/801, art. 2(2)(b), Sch. Pt. 2

AllowancesE+W+S

18 Schemes for basic, attendance and special responsibility allowances for local authority members.E+W+S

[F217(1)[F218Subject to subsection (1A),] the Secretary of State may by regulations authorise or require any such relevant authority as may be specified or described in the regulations to make a scheme providing for the payment of—

(a)a basic allowance for every member of the authority who is a councillor;

(b)an attendance allowance in relation to the carrying out by any such member of such duties as may be specified in or determined under the regulations; and

(c)a special responsibility allowance for any such member who has such special responsibilities in relation to the authority as may be so specified or determined.

[F219(1A)In relation to a district council, county council, county borough council or London borough council, subsection (1) above shall have effect with the omission of paragraph (b).]

(2)Regulations under this section may also authorise or require a scheme made by a relevant authority under the regulations to include provision for the payment to appointed members of allowances in respect of such losses of earnings and expenses as—

(a)are necessarily sustained or incurred in the carrying out, in connection with their membership of the authority or any committee or sub-committee of the authority, of duties specified in or determined under the regulations; and

(b)are not of a description in respect of which provision is made for an allowance under any of sections 174 to 176 of the Local Government Act 1972 or sections 46 to 48 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

[F220(2A)Regulations under this section may authorise or require a scheme made by a district council, county council, county borough council or London borough council to include provision for the payment to members of the council of allowances in respect of such expenses of arranging for the care of children or dependants as are necessarily incurred in the carrying out of their duties as members.]

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by subsections (1) [F221to (2A)] above, regulations under this section may contain such provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for requiring a scheme made by a relevant authority under the regulations—

(a)to make it a condition of any payment by way of allowance that, in the financial year to which the payment would relate, the aggregate amount which the authority has paid out or is already liable to pay out under the scheme does not exceed such maximum amount as may be specified in or determined under the regulations;

(b)to make provision for different maximum amounts to be applicable, for the purposes of any such condition, in relation to different allowances or in relation to different members or members of different groups;

(c)to make provision in relation to claims which cannot be paid by virtue of any such condition and provision for the payment to members of the authority who are councillors of an amount by way of supplement to the basic allowance where, in any financial year, the aggregate paid out or owing under the scheme is less than an amount specified in or determined under the regulations;

(d)to provide that the amount authorised by virtue of subsection (2) above to be paid by way of allowance in any case shall not exceed such amount as may be so specified or determined;

(e)to contain such provision as may be so specified or determined with respect to the general administration of the scheme, with respect to the manner in which, time within which and forms on which claims for any allowance are to be made and with respect to the information to be provided in support of any such claim;

(f)to contain such provision as may be so specified or determined for avoiding the duplication of payments or of allowances, for determining the bodies by which payments of allowances are to be made and for the apportionment of payments between different bodies.]

[F222[F223(3A)Regulations under this section may make provision for or in connection with—

(a)enabling district councils, county councils, county borough councils or London borough councils to determine which members of the council are to be entitled to pensions, allowances or gratuities,

(b)treating the basic allowance or the special responsibility allowance as amounts in respect of which such pensions, allowances or gratuities are payable.]

[F223(3A)Regulations may be made by the Welsh Ministers to make provision for or in connection with—

(a)enabling county councils or county borough councils to determine which members of the council are to be entitled to gratuities,

(b)treating such payments relating to relevant matters (within the meaning of Part 8 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011) as may be specified in the regulations as amounts in respect of which such gratuities are payable.]

[F224(3B)Regulations under this section may make provision for or in connection with requiring a district council, county council, county borough council or London borough council to establish and maintain a panel which is to have such functions as may be specified in the regulations in relation to allowances, or pensions, allowances or gratuities, payable to members of the council.]

(3C)Regulations under this section may make provision for or in connection with enabling a panel established by a body specified in the regulations to exercise such functions as may be specified in the regulations in relation to allowances, or pensions, allowances or gratuities, payable to members of such district councils, county councils or London borough councils in England as may be specified in the regulations.

[F225(3D)Regulations under this section may make provision for or in connection with the establishment by the National Assembly for Wales on a permanent or temporary basis of a panel which is to have such functions as may be specified in the regulations in relation to allowances, or pensions, allowances or gratuities, payable to members of county councils and county borough councils in Wales.]

[F226(3E)Regulations under subsection (3B) above may include provision—

(a)with respect to the number of persons who may or must be appointed to the panel of a council,

(b)with respect to the persons who may or must be appointed to the panel of a council,

(c)for or in connection with the appointment by councils of joint panels.]

(3F)Regulations under subsection (3C) may include provision—

(a)with respect to the number of persons who may or must be appointed to a panel mentioned in that subsection,

(b)with respect to the persons who may or must be appointed to such a panel.

[F227(3G)Regulations under subsection (3B), (3C) or (3D) may include provision—

(a)for or in connection with enabling a panel mentioned in that subsection to make recommendations to a council on the level of allowances payable to members of the council,

(b)for or in connection with enabling such a panel to make recommendations to a council as to which members of the council are to be entitled to pensions, allowances or gratuities,

(c)which permits different recommendations to be made in relation to different councils or descriptions of council.]

(4)Regulations under this section may—

(a)prohibit the payment, otherwise than in accordance with sections 174 to176 of the Local Government Act 1972 or sections 46 to 48 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 or in such other cases as may be specified in the regulations, of any allowance to a member of a relevant authority who is a councillor or to any appointed member of a relevant authority;

(b)impose requirements on a relevant authority with respect to the publication, in the minutes of that authority or otherwise, of the details of amounts paid in pursuance of a scheme made under the regulations;

[F228(ba)make provision with respect to the amendment, revocation or replacement of a scheme made by a relevant authority under the regulations; and]

(c)contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with the other provisions of the regulations as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(5)In this section “relevant authority” means—

(a)a local authority of any of the descriptions specified in any of the paragraphs of section 21(1) below, other than [F229paragraphs (d), (g) and (j)], or insection 21(2) below;

(b)any body on which a body which is a relevant authority by virtue of paragraph (a) above is represented and which is designated as a relevant authority for the purposes of this section by regulations made by the Secretary of State; or

(c)any appeal committee so designated which is constituted in accordance with [F230paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 33 to the Education Act 1996];

and references in this section to an appointed member, in relation to a relevant authority, are references to any person who is a member of the authority without being a councillor or who is a member of one or more of the authority’s committees or sub-committees without being a member of the authority.

[F231(5A)In making or operating any scheme authorised or required by regulations under this section, a district council, county council, county borough council or London borough council shall have regard to any guidance for the time being issued by the Secretary of State.]

(6)In this section any reference to a councillor includes a reference to a member of the authority concerned who, in accordance with regulations under this section, is to be treated as if he were a councillor.]

Textual Amendments

F218Words in s. 18(1) inserted (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 99(3)(4), 108(4)

F219S. 18(1A) inserted (E.W.) (28.7.2001) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 99(3)(4), 108(4)

F220S. 18(2A) inserted (E.W.) (19.2.2001 for E.and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 99(3)(5), 108(4); S.I. 2001/415, art. 2(b)

F221S. 18(3): words “to 2A" substituted for “and (2)" (E.W.) (19.2.2001 for E. and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 99(3)(6), 108(4); S.I. 2001/415, art. 2(b)

F222S. 18(3A)-(3G) inserted (E.W.) (19.2.2001 for E. and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 99(3)(7), 108(4); S.I. 2001/415, art. 2(b)

F228S. 18: subsection (4)(ba) substituted for the word “and" in subsection (4)(b) (E.W.) (19.2.2001 for E. and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 99(3)(8), 108(4); S.I. 2001/415, art. 2(b)

F229Words in s. 18(5)(a) substituted (1.10.1994 for specified purposes otherwise 1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 43, Sch. 4 Pt. I para. 37; S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch. (subject to art. 5)

F230Words in s. 18(5)(c) substituted (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 582(1), 583(2), Sch. 37 Pt. I para. 97 (with ss. 1(4), 561, 562, Sch. 39 paras. 30, 39)

F231S. 18(5A) inserted (E.W.) (19.2.2001 for E. and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 99(3)(9), 108(4); S.I. 2001/415, art. 2(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C180S. 18 applied (with modifications) (S.) (temp.) (6.4.1995 to 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

S. 18 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 11(1) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 18 modified (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 11(2) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

C182S. 18(1)(b) applied (with modifications) (8.1.1996) by 1995 c. x, ss. 1(3), 44, Sch. Pt. I

Members’ interestsE+W+S

F23219 Members’ interests.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Duty to adopt certain procedural standing ordersE+W+S

20 Duty to adopt certain procedural standing orders.E+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations require relevant authorities, subject to such variations as may be authorised by the regulations—

(a)to incorporate such provision as may be prescribed by the regulations in standing orders for regulating their proceedings and business; and

(b)to make or refrain from making such other modifications of any such standing orders as may be so prescribed.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations under this section may require such standing orders as are mentioned in that subsection to contain provision which, notwithstanding any enactment or the decision of any relevant authority or committee or sub-committee of a relevant authority, authorises persons who are members of such an authority, committee or sub-committee—

(a)to requisition meetings of the authority or of any of their committees or sub-committees;

(b)to require a decision of a committee or sub-committee of the authority to be referred to and reviewed by the authority themselves or by a committee of the authority;

(c)to require that a vote with respect to a matter falling to be decided by the authority or by any of their committees or sub-committees is to be taken in a particular manner.

(3)Regulations under this section may contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with their other provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(4)In this section “relevant authority”—

(a)in relation to England and Wales, means a local authority of any of the descriptions specified in paragraphs (a) to [F233(jc)] [F234or (n)] of section 21(1) below [F235, a corporate joint committee] or any parish or community council; and

(b)in relation to Scotland, means a local authority.

Textual Amendments

F233Word in s. 20(4)(a) substituted (E.W.) (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), s. 25(2), Sch. 5 para. 12(4)

F234Words in s. 20(4)(a) inserted (6.9.2015 for specified purposes, 5.5.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 39(5)(b), 58(2)(b)(4)(b); S.I. 2017/546, art. 3(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C187S. 20 applied (S.) (temp.) (6.4.1995 to 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

S. 20 extended (E.W.) (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 63(5), 125(2), Sch. 7 para. 12(3) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

Interpretation of Part IE+W+S

21 Interpretation of Part I.E+W+S

(1)Any reference in this Part to a local authority is, in relation to England and Wales, a reference to a body of one of the following descriptions—

(a)a county council;

[F236(aa)a county borough council;]

(b)a district council;

(c)a London borough council;

(d)the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority, police authority or port health authority;

(e)the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

[F237(f)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;]

F238(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F239(ga). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h)an authority established under section 10 of the M51Local Government Act 1985 (waste disposal authorities);

(i)a joint authority established by Part IV of that Act [F240(fire and rescue services and transport)] F241...;

(j)any body established pursuant to an order under section 67 of that Act (successors to residuary bodies);

[F242(ja)an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;

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

[F243(jba)a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023;]

[F244(jc)a sub-national transport body established under section 102E of the Local Transport Act 2008;]

(k)the Broads Authority;

(l)any joint board the constituent members of which consist of any of the bodies specified above; [F245. . .]

F246(m). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [F247and

(n)a joint planning board constituted for an area in Wales outside a National Park by an order under section 2(1B) of the M52Town and Country Planning Act 1990.]

[F248(1A)In section 7 references to a local authority include a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.

(1B)In the application of section 1(1) to a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 by virtue of subsection (1A) the reference to being or remaining a member of a local authority is to be read as a reference to becoming or remaining such an authority.]

[F249(1C)In the following provisions of this Part references to a local authority include the London Fire Commissioner—

(a)section 7 (all staff to be appointed on merit), and

(b)section 10 (limit on paid leave for local authority duties).

(1D)In the application of section 1(1) to the London Fire Commissioner by virtue of subsection (1C) the reference to being or remaining a member of a local authority is to be read as a reference to becoming or remaining the London Fire Commissioner.]

(2)Any reference in this Part to a local authority is, in relation to Scotland, a reference to a [F250council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994] or a joint board within the meaning of section 235(1) of the M53Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

(3)In this Part—

  • [F251“chief executive” means the person appointed under section 54 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 as the chief executive of a council of a county or county borough in Wales;]

  • “contravention” includes a failure to comply;

  • [F252“corporate joint committee” means a corporate joint committee established by regulations under Part 5 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021;]

  • [F253[F254“council manager”], “executive”, “executive arrangements” [F254and “mayor and council manager executive”] have the same meaning as in Part II of the Local Government Act 2000;]

  • “modifications” includes additions, alterations and omissions;

  • “proper officer”—

    (a)

    in relation to a local authority in England and Wales [F255or a corporate joint committee], has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 1972; and

    (b)

    in relation to a local authority in Scotland, has the same meaning as in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973; and

  • “subordinate legislation” has the same meaning as in the M54Interpretation Act 1978.

(4)References in this Part to an officer of a local authority or to a paid office under a local authority do not include references to, or to the office of, the chairman or vice-chairman of the authority (whether referred to as such, as mayor, Lord Mayor, deputy mayor, as Lord Provost or otherwise [F256or a member of any executive of the authority (other than a council manager)]).

Textual Amendments

F236S. 21(1)(aa) inserted (7.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3071, art. 2, Sch. para. 3(3)

F237S. 21(1)(f) substituted (E.W.) (1.10.2004 except in relation to W., 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 1 para. 71(2); S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2; S.I. 2004/2917, art. 2

F241Words in s. 21(1)(i) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 89(2); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F244S. 21(1)(jc) inserted (28.1.2016 for specified purposes, 28.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (c. 1), s. 25(2), Sch. 5 para. 12(5)

F245Word in s. 21(1)(l) omitted (23.11.1995) by virtue of 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 31(1) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2(1)

F246S. 21(1)(m) repealed (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/2560, art. 2, Sch.

F247S. 21(1)(n) and the preceding “and” added (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 31(1) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2(1)

F248S. 21(1A)(1B) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 64; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F249S. 21(1C)(1D) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 22.3.2018 for specified purposes) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 89(3); S.I. 2018/227, reg. 3(1)(d)(iii)

F250Words in s. 21(2) substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(8); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

F253S. 21(3): definition inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 25(a); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 24(a)

F256Words in s. 21(4) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 25(b); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 24(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C188S. 21 applied (S.) (temp.) (6.4.1995 to 1.4.1996) by S.I. 1995/789, art. 2, Sch. entry 11

Marginal Citations

Part IIE+W+S Local Government Administration

22 Advisory Commissioners.E+W+S

(1)Section 23 of the M55Local Government Act 1974 (constitution and functions of Commissions for Local Administration) shall have effect with the amendments specified in subsections (2) to (4) below.

(2)In subsection (1), at the end, there shall be added the words “ but each of the Commissions may include persons appointed to act as advisers, not exceeding the number appointed to conduct investigations." ”

(3)In subsection (3), after the words “Parliamentary Commissioner” there shall be inserted the words “ or an advisory member" ”.

(4)In subsections (4), (5) and (6) the word “Local” shall be omitted.

(5)In Schedule 4 to the said Act, in paragraph 3 (remuneration), at the end there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph–

“(3)Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) above apply in relation to Commissioners who are advisory members of the Commission as they apply in relation to Local Commissioners.”

Marginal Citations

23 Advice and guidance by Commissions for Local Administration and ScottishCommissioner.E+W+S

(1)In section 23 of the Local Government Act 1974 (appointment and functions of Commissions for Local Administration) there shall be inserted, after subsection (12), the following subsections—

“(12A)Each of the Commissions may, after consultation with the representative persons and authorities concerned, provide to the authorities or any of the authorities to which this Part of this Act applies such advice and guidance about good administrative practice as appears to the Commission to be appropriate and may arrange for it to be published for the information of the public.

(12B)The representative persons and authorities concerned are—

(a)for the purposes of subsection (12) above, such persons appearing to the Commission to represent authorities in England or, as the case may be,authorities in Wales to which this Part of this Act applies, and in the case of such authorities as are not so represented, those authorities; and

(b)for the purposes of subsection (12A) above, such of those persons and authorities as the Commission think appropriate.”

[F257(2)In section 21 of the M56Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 (appointment and functions of Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland) there shall be inserted, after subsection (4), the following subsection—

“(4A)The Commissioner may, after consultation with such associations of local authorities as appear to him to be appropriate, provide to the authorities to which this Part of this Act applies such advice and guidance about good administrative practice as appears to him to be appropriate and may arrange for it to be published for the information of the public.”]

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

24 Expenses of Commissions for Local Administration.E+W+S

F258(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)Anything done before the passing of this Act which corresponds to a thing authorised or required to be done by any provision of the paragraphs 6(2) and (3), 7 and 8 substituted by subsection (1) above and done for the purposes ofsections 78 and 79 of the M57Local Government Finance Act 1988 shall be treated as validly done under that provision and those sections shall have effect accordingly.

(3)The foregoing provisions shall have effect for the financial years beginning on or after 1st April 1990.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

25 Annual reports of Commissions: new provisions.E+W+S

(1)The representative body for England and the representative body for Wales designated under section 24 of the M58Local Government Act 1974 are hereby dissolved and accordingly that section shall cease to have effect.

(2)After section 23 of that Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“23A Annual reports for representatives etc.

(1)For the financial year ending in 1990 and for each subsequent financial year, each of the Commissions shall prepare a general report on the discharge of their functions and shall submit it—

(a)to such persons as appear to the Commission to represent authorities in England or, as the case may be, authorities in Wales to which this Part of this Act applies, and

(b)in the case of such authorities as are not so represented, to those authorities.

(2)The report shall be submitted as soon as may be after the Commission have received the reports for the year from Local Commissioners under section 23(11) above, and each Commission shall submit copies of those reports, together with their own report.

(3)Each Commission shall arrange for the publication of the report submitted by them under subsection (1) above and of the reports of which copies are submitted by them under subsection (2) above.

(4)Before arranging for the publication of a report under subsection (3) above the Commission concerned shall give a reasonable opportunity for the representative persons and authorities to whom the report was submitted to comment on it.

(5)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) above, comments made by the representative persons and authorities by virtue of that subsection may relate to particular classes of authorities to which this Part of this Act applies.

(6)Where the Commission for Local Administration in Wales consist of only one Local Commissioner, section 23(11) above and subsection (2) above shall have effect with the necessary modifications.”

Marginal Citations

26 Implementation of recommendations of Commissioners for Local Administration in England and Wales.E+W+S

(1)In section 31 of the Local Government Act 1974 (action to be taken in relation to adverse reports), the following subsections shall be substituted for subsections (1) to (2A)—

“(1)This section applies where a Local Commissioner reports that injustice has been caused to a person aggrieved in consequence of maladministration.

(2)The report shall be laid before the authority concerned and it shall be the duty of that authority to consider the report and, within the period of three months beginning with the date on which they received the report, or such longer period as the Local Commissioner may agree in writing, to notify the Local Commissioner of the action which the authority have taken or propose to take.

(2A)If the Local Commissioner—

(a)does not receive the notification required by subsection (2) above within the period allowed by or under that subsection, or

(b)is not satisfied with the action which the authority concerned have taken or propose to take, or

(c)does not within a period of three months beginning with the end of the period so allowed, or such longer period as the Local Commissioner may agree in writing, receive confirmation from the authority concerned that they have taken action, as proposed, to the satisfaction of the Local Commissioner,

he shall make a further report setting out those facts and making recommendations.

(2B)Those recommendations are such recommendations as the Local Commissioner thinks fit to make with respect to action which, in his opinion, the authority concerned should take to remedy the injustice to the person aggrieved and to prevent similar injustice being caused in the future.

(2C)Section 30 above, with any necessary modifications, and subsection (2)above shall apply to a report under subsection (2A) above as they apply to a report under that section.

(2D)If the Local Commissioner—

(a)does not receive the notification required by subsection (2) above as applied by subsection (2C) above within the period allowed by or under that subsection or is satisfied before the period allowed by that subsection has expired that the authority concerned have decided to take no action, or

(b)is not satisfied with the action which the authority concerned have taken or propose to take, or

(c)does not within a period of three months beginning with the end of the period allowed by or under subsection (2) above as applied by subsection (2C) above, or such longer period as the Local Commissioner may agree in writing, receive confirmation from the authority concerned that they have taken action,as proposed, to the satisfaction of the Local Commissioner,

he may, by notice to the authority, require them to arrange for a statement to be published in accordance with subsections (2E) and (2F) below.

(2E)The statement referred to in subsection (2D) above is a statement, in such form as the authority concerned and the Local Commissioner may agree,consisting of—

(a)details of any action recommended by the Local Commissioner in his furtherreport which the authority have not taken;

(b)such supporting material as the Local Commissioner may require; and

(c)if the authority so require, a statement of the reasons for their having taken no action on, or not the action recommended in, the report.

(2F)The requirements for the publication of the statement are that—

(a)publication shall be in any two editions within a fortnight of a newspaper circulating in the area of the authority agreed with the Local Commissioneror, in default of agreement, nominated by him; and

(b)publication in the first such edition shall be arranged for the earliest practicable date.

(2G)If the authority concerned—

(a)fail to arrange for the publication of the statement in accordance with subsections (2E) and (2F) above, or

(b)are unable, within the period of one month beginning with the date on which they received the notice under subsection (2D) above, or such longer period as the Local Commissioner may agree in writing, to agree with the Local Commissioner the form of the statement to be published,

the Local Commissioner shall arrange for such a statement as is mentioned in subsection (2E) above to be published in any two editions within a fortnight of a newspaper circulating within the authority’s area.

(2H)The authority concerned shall reimburse the Commission on demand any reasonable expenses incurred by the Local Commissioner in performing his duty under subsection (2G) above.”

(2)This section shall not have effect in relation to a report made before the coming into force of this section.

[F25927 Implementation of recommendations of Commissioner for Local Administrationin Scotland.E+W+S

(1)In section 29 of the M59Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 (action to be taken in relation to adverse reports), the following subsections shall be substituted for subsections (1) to (2A)—

“(1)This section applies where the Commissioner reports that injustice has been caused to a person aggrieved in consequence of maladministration.

[F260(2)The report shall be laid before the authority concerned and it shall be the duty of that authority to consider the report and, within the period of three months beginning with the date on which they received the report, or such longer period as the Commissioner may agree in writing, to notify the Commissioner of the action which the authority have taken or propose to take.]]

(2A)If the Commissioner—

(a)does not receive the notification required by subsection (2) above within the period allowed by or under that subsection, or

(b)is not satisfied with the action which the authority concerned have take nor propose to take, or

(c)does not within a period of three months beginning with the end of the period so allowed, or such longer period as the Commissioner may agree in writing, receive confirmation from the authority concerned that they have taken action, as proposed, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner,

he shall make a further report setting out those facts and making recommendations.

(2B)Those recommendations are such recommendations as the Commissioner thinks fit to make with respect to the action which, in his opinion, the authority concerned should take to remedy the injustice to the person aggrieved and to prevent similar injustice being caused in the future.

(2C)Section 28 of this Act, with any necessary modifications, and subsection (2) above shall apply to a report under subsection (2A) above as they apply to a report under that section.

(2D)If the Commissioner—

(a)does not receive the notification required by subsection (2) above as applied by subsection (2C) above within the period allowed by or under that subsection or is satisfied before the period allowed by that subsection has expired that the authority concerned have decided to take no action; or

(b)is not satisfied with the action which the authority concerned have taken or propose to take; or

(c)does not within a period of three months beginning with the end of the period allowed by or under subsection (2) above as applied by subsection (2C) above, or such longer period as the Commissioner may agree in writing, receive confirmation from the authority concerned that they have taken action, as proposed, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner,

he may, by notice to the authority, require them to arrange for astatement to be published in accordance with subsections (2E) and (2F) below.

(2E)The statement referred to in subsection (2D) above is a statement, in such form as the authority concerned and the Commissioner may agree, consisting of—

(a)details of any action recommended by the Commissioner in his further report which the authority have not taken;

(b)such supporting material as the Commissioner may require; and

(c)if the authority so require, a statement of the reasons for their having taken no action on, or not the action recommended in, the report.

(2F)The requirements for the publication of the statement are that—

(a)publication shall be in any two editions within a fortnight of a newspaper circulating in the area of the authority agreed with the Commissioner or, indefault of agreement, nominated by him; and

(b)publication in the first such edition shall be arranged for the earliest practicable date.

(2G)If the authority concerned—

(a)fail to arrange for the publication of the statement in accordance withsubsections (2E) and (2F) above, or

(b)are unable, within the period of one month beginning with the date on which they received the notice under subsection (2D) above, or such longer period as the Commissioner may agree in writing, to agree with the Commissioner the form of the statement to be published,

the Commissioner shall arrange for such a statement as is mentioned insubsection (2E) above to be published in any two editions within a fortnight of a newspaper circulating within the authority’s area.

(2H)The authority concerned shall reimburse the Commissioner on demand any reasonable expenses incurred by the Commissioner in performing his duty under subsection (2G) above.”

(2)In section 32 of the M60Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 (interpretation of provisions about investigations by the Commissioner) the following subsection shall be inserted after subsection (2)—

“(2A)Except in the case of a joint board or joint committee, references in this Part of this Act to the authority concerned are, in relation to action taken by or on behalf of an authority to whom this Part of this Act applies (whether by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) of section 23 of this Act), references to that authority.”

(3)This section shall not have effect in relation to a report made before the coming into force of this section.

Textual Amendments

F260S. 27(2) repealed (S.) (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 10, 11(2), Sch.

Marginal Citations

28 Consideration of adverse reports: England and Wales.E+W+S

(1)The following section shall be inserted after section 31 of the M61Local Government Act 1974—

“31A Consideration of adverse reports.

(1)Subject to subsection (3) below, any power of an authority to have their functions discharged by any person or body of persons acting for the authority shall, as respects the consideration of a further report of the Local Commissioner under section 31(2A) above, be subject to the restriction that, if it is proposed that the authority should take no action on, or not the action recommended in, the report, consideration of the report shall be referred to the authority.

(2)Consideration of a further report of the Local Commissioner under section 31(2A) above by any such committee of a local authority as is referred to in an enactment specified in section 101(9) of the Local Government Act 1972 or by any appeal committee constituted in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Education Act 1980 shall be subject to a corresponding restriction.

(3)The restriction imposed by subsections (1) and (2) above does not apply where the report recommends action to be taken by—

(a)a joint committee established under the said section 101, or

(b)any committee referred to in an enactment specified in paragraph (c), (d) or (h) of the said section 101(9).

(4)If an authority considering a further report of the Local Commissioner under section 31(2A) above take into consideration a report by a person or body with an interest in the Local Commissioner’s report, they shall not conclude their consideration of the Local Commissioner’s report without also having taken into consideration a report by a person or body with no interest in the Local Commissioner’s report.

(5)No member of an authority to which this Part of this Act applies or of a committee mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) above shall vote on any question with respect to a report or further report under this Part of this Act in which he is named and criticised by a Local Commissioner.

(6)Section 25(4) and (5) above do not apply to this section.”

(2)This section shall not have effect in relation to a report made before the coming into force of section 26 above.

Marginal Citations

M611974c. 7.

[F26129 Consideration of adverse reports: Scotland.E+W+S

(1)The following section shall be inserted after section 29 of the M62Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975—

29A“ Consideration of adverse reports.

(1)Subject to subsection (3) below, any power of an authority to have their functions discharged by any person or body of persons acting for the authority shall, as respects the consideration of a further report of the Commissioner under section 29(2A) of this Act, be subject to the restriction that, if it is proposed to take no action on, or not the action recommended in, there port, consideration of the report shall be referred to the authority.

(2)Consideration of a further report of the Commissioner under section 29(2A)of this Act by—

(a)any such committee as is mentioned in section 23(2) of this Act; or

(b)an education committee appointed under section 124 of the Act of 1973;

shall be subject to a corresponding restriction.

(3)The restriction imposed by subsections (1) and (2) above does not apply where the report recommends action to be taken by a joint committee—

(a)established under section 56 of the Act of 1973 or under paragraph 7 of Schedule 10 or paragraph 6 of Schedule 20 to that Act (local authority, education and social work joint committees); or

(b)referred to in paragraph (a), (b), or (e) of section 23(2) of this Act (fire, police and local government and teachers’ superannuation joint committees).

(4)If an authority considering a further report of the Commissioner under section 29(2A) of this Act take into consideration a report by a person or body with an interest in the Commissioner’s report, they shall not conclude their consideration of the Commissioner’s report without also having taken into consideration a report by a person or body with no interest in the Commissioner’s report.

(5)No member of an authority to which this Part of this Act applies or of a committee mentioned in subsection (2) or (3) above shall vote on any question with respect to a report or further report under this Part of this Act in which he is named and criticised by the Commissioner.”

(2)This section shall not have effect in relation to a report made before the coming into force of section 27 above.]

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

M621975c. 30.

30 Declaration of acceptance of office of councillor etc.E+W+S

(1)Before section 34 of the M63Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 there shall be inserted the following section—

“ Acceptance of OfficeE+W+S

33A Declaration of acceptance of office of councillor.

(1)A person elected to office as a councillor of a local authority shall not, unless—

(a)he has made a declaration of acceptance of office in a form prescribed by an order made by the Secretary of State; and

(b)the declaration has within two months from the day of the election been delivered to the proper officer of the local authority,

act in the office except for the purpose of taking such a declaration.

(2)If such a declaration is not made and delivered to the proper officer within the appointed time, the office of the person elected shall at the expiration of that time become vacant.

(3)The declaration shall be made before either—

(a)two members of the local authority to which the declarant is elected; or

(b)the proper officer of the local authority; or

(c)the sheriff; or

(d)a justice of the peace.

(4)Any person before whom a declaration is authorised to be made under this section may take the declaration.”

(2)In section 83 of the M64Local Government Act 1972 (declaration of acceptance of office) in subsection (1) and subsection (4), for the words “rules under section 42 above” there shall be substituted the words “ an order made by the Secretary of State ”.

Marginal Citations

F26231 National Code of Local Government Conduct.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

32 Anonymity in reports on investigations.E+W+S

F263(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F264(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Part IIIE+W+S Economic Development and Discretionary Expenditure by Local Authorities

F26533. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F26634. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F266S. 34 repealed (18.10.2000 for E. and 9.4.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, s. 107, Sch. 5 para. 27, Sch. 6; S.I. 2000/2836, art. 2(b)(iv); S.I. 2001/1471, art. 2

F26735. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F267S. 35 repealed (18.10.2000 for E. and 9.4.2001) by 2000 c. 22, s. 107, Sch. 6; S.I. 2000/2836, art. 2(b)(iv); S.I. 2001/1471, art. 2

36 Amendments of existing power to incur discretionary expenditure.E+W+S

(1)Section 137 of the M65Local Government Act 1972 (power of local authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised) shall be amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (8) below and, accordingly, after the coming into force of this section, shall have effect as set out in Schedule 2 to this Act.

(2)In subsection (1), after the words “in the interests of” there shall be inserted “ and will bring direct benefit to ”; after the words “incur any expenditure” there shall be inserted “ (a) ” and at the end there shall be added the words “nor

(b)unless the direct benefit accruing to their area or any part of it or to all or some of the inhabitants of their area will be commensurate with the expenditure to be incurred”.

(3)After subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A)In any case where—

(a)by virtue of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above, a local authority are prohibited from incurring expenditure for a particular purpose, and

(b)the power or duty of the authority to incur expenditure for that purposeis in any respect limited or conditional (whether by being restricted to a particular group of persons or in any other way),

the prohibition in that paragraph shall extend to all expenditure to which that power or duty would apply if it were not subject to any limitationor condition.”

(4)Subsections (2A) and (2B) (which relate to the giving of financial assistance to persons carrying on commercial or industrial undertakings) shall cease to have effect and, in subsection (2C), paragraph (a) (which relates to publicity on the promotion of the economic development of the authority’s area) shall also cease to have effect.

(5)In subsection (3) (contributions permitted to charitable and public service funds etc.),—

(a)for the words “as aforesaid” there shall be substituted “ to the following provisions of this section ”;

(b)in paragraph (b) after the words “public service” there shall beinserted “ (whether to the public at large or to any section of it) ”; and

(c)at the end of paragraph (c) there shall be added “ or by such a person or body as is referred to in section 83(3)(c) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 ”.

(6)In subsection (4) (expenditure not to exceed the product of a 2p rate) for the words following “not exceed” there shall be substituted “the amount produced by multiplying—

(a)such sum as is for the time being appropriate to the authority under subsection (4AA) below, by

(b)the relevant population of the authority’s area”;and subsection (8) (which relates to the computation of a 2p rate) shall cease to have effect.

(7)After subsection (4) there shall be inserted the following subsections—

“(4AA)For the purposes of subsection (4)(a) above, except in so far as the Secretary of State by order specifies a different sum in relation to an authority of a particular description,—

(a)the sum appropriate to a county council or the council of a non-metropolitan district is £2.50;

(b)the sum appropriate to a metropolitan district council, a London borough council or the Common Council is £5.00; and

(c)the sum appropriate to a parish or community council is £3.50.

(4AB)For the purposes of subsection (4)(b) above the relevant population of a local authority’s area shall be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State; and a statutory instrument containing such regulations shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of theHouse of Commons.”

(8)In subsection (4B) (amounts deductible in determining expenditure under the section) for paragraph (a) there shall be substituted the following paragraph—

“(a)the amount of any expenditure which forms part of the authority’s gross expenditure for that year under this section and in respect of which any grant has been or is to be paid under any enactment by a Minister of the Crown, within the meaning of the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 (whether or not the grant covers the whole of the expenditure)”.

(9)In section 83(3) of the M66Local Government (Scotland)Act 1973 (contributions permitted to charitable and public service funds etc.), at the end of paragraph (c) there shall be added “ or by such a person or body as is referred to in section 137(3)(c) of the Local Government Act 1972 ”.

Marginal Citations

37 Conditions of provision of financial assistance.E+W

After section 137 of the M67Local Government Act 1972 there shall be inserted the following section—

“137A Financial assistance to be conditional on provision of information.

(1)If in any financial year a local authority provides financial assistance—

(a)to a voluntary organisation, as defined in subsection (2D) of section 137above, or

(b)to a body or fund falling within subsection (3) of that section,

and the total amount so provided to that organisation, body or fund in that year equals or exceeds the relevant minimum, then, as a condition of the assistance, the authority shall require the organisation, body or fund, within the period of twelve months beginning on the date when the assistance is provided, to furnish to the authority a statement in writing of the use to which that amount has been put.

(2)In this section “financial assistance” means assistance by way of grant or loan or by entering into a guarantee to secure any money borrowed and, in relation to any financial assistance,—

(a)any reference to the amount of the assistance is a reference to the amount of money granted or lent by the local authority or borrowed in reliance on the local authority’s guarantee; and

(b)any reference to the date when the assistance is provided is a referenceto the date on which the grant or loan is made or, as the case may be, on which the guarantee is entered into.

(3)The relevant minimum referred to in subsection (1) above is £2,000 or such higher sum as the Secretary of State may by order specify.

(4)It shall be a sufficient compliance with a requirement imposed by virtue of subsection (1) above that there is furnished to the local authority concerned an annual report or accounts which contain the information required to be in the statement.

(5)A statement (or any report or accounts) provided to a local authority in pursuance of such a requirement shall be deposited with the proper officer of the authority.

(6)In this section “local authority” includes the Common Council.”

Marginal Citations

38 Information etc. on individuals’ rights.E+W

(1)Section 142 of the M68Local Government Act 1972 (provision of information, etc.) shall be amended as follows.

(2)There shall be inserted after subsection (2)—

“(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.”

Marginal Citations

F268 Part IVE+W Revenue Accounts and Capital Finance of Local Authorities

Textual Amendments

F268Pt. IV repealed (18.11.2003 for E. for the repeal of ss. 45, 53, 27.11.2003 for W. for the purpose of and in relation to financial years beginning on or after 1st April 2004, and 1.4.2004 for E. in so far as not already in force) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(6), Sch. 7 para. 29; S.I. 2003/2938, arts. 3(h), 7(b) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (with Sch. 2 para. 2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C189Pt. IV savings for effects of 2003 c. 26, Sch. 7 para. 29 Sch. 8 (1.4.2004) by The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/533), arts. 1, 9(7)

IntroductoryE+W

F26839 Application of Part IV.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C190S. 39 savings for effects of 2003 c. 26, Sch. 7 para. 29 Sch. 8 (1.4.2004) by The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/533), arts. 1, 3

F26840 Capital purposes.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Charge of expenditure to revenue accountsE+W

F26841Expenditure to be charged to revenue account.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F26842Expenditure excluded from section 41(1).E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BorrowingE+W

F26843Borrowing powers.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F26844Borrowing limits etc.E+W

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F26845The authority’s own limits.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F26846Register of loan instruments and certain existing loans.E+W

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F26847Security for money borrowed etc.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Credit arrangementsE+W

F26848Credit arrangements. E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

F26849Initial and subsequent cost of credit arrangements.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C192S. 49 savings for effects of 2003 c. 26, Sch. 7 para. 29 Sch. 8 (1.4.2004) by The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/533), arts. 1, 3

F26850Limits on powers to enter into credit arrangements.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F26851Variation of credit arrangements.E+W

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F26852Transitional credit arrangements.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C193S. 52 savings for effects of 2003 c. 26, Sch. 7 para. 29 Sch. 8 (1.4.2004) by The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/533), arts. 1, 3

Credit approvalsE+W

F26853Basic credit approvals.E+W

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F26854Supplementary credit approvals.E+W

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F26855Criteria for issuing credit approvals.E+W

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F26856Use of credit approvals by local authorities.E+W

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F26857Effect of certain capital grants on credit approvals.E+W

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Capital receiptsE+W

F26858Capital receipts.E+W

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F26859The reserved part of capital receipts. E+W

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F26860The usable balance of capital receipts.E+W

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F26861Capital receipts not wholly in money paid to the authority. E+W

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Aggregate credit limitE+W

F26862Aggregate credit limit.E+W

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Amounts set aside to meet credit liabilitiesE+W

F26863Duty to set certain amounts aside as provision to meet credit liabilities.E+W

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F26864Use of amounts set aside to meet credit liabilities.E+W

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SupplementaryE+W

F26865Information.E+W

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F26866Interpretation of Part IV.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C194S. 66 savings for effects of 2003 c. 26, Sch. 7 para. 29 Sch. 8 (1.4.2004) by The Local Authorities (Capital Finance) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/533), arts. 1, 3

Part VE+W Companies in which Local Authorities have interests

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C195Pt. 5 (ss. 67-73): power conferred to make provisions about matters of the kind dealt with in this part (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 50, s. 44(1), Sch. 4 para. (j)(iii); S.I. 1997/1930, art. 2(1)(2)(m)

C196Pt. 5 modified (18.11.2003) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 95(5)(6), 128(2)(d)

67 Application of, and orders under, Part V.E+W

(1)Any reference in this Part to a company is a reference to a body corporate of one of the following descriptions—

(a)a company limited by shares;

(b)a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital;

(c)a company limited by guarantee and having a share capital;

(d)an unlimited company;

[F269(da)a registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014;] and

(e)a society registered or deemed to be registered F270... under the M69Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969.

(2)Expressions used in paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (1) above have the same meaning as in [F271the Companies Acts (see section 1174 of, and Schedule 8 to, the Companies Act 2006)].

(3)Any reference in this Part to a local authority is a reference to a body of one of the following descriptions—

(a)a county council;

[F272(aa)a county borough council;]

[F273(ab)a corporate joint committee established by regulations under Part 5 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021;]

(b)a district council;

[F274(bb)the Greater London Authority;

F274(bc)a functional body, within the meaning of the Greater London Authority Act 1999;]

(c)a London borough council;

(d)the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority, police authority or port health authority;

(e)the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

(f)a parish council;

(g)a community council;

[F275(ga)the Greater London Magistrates’ Courts Authority;]

[F276(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;]

F277(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(j)an authority established under section 10 of the M70Local Government Act 1985 (waste disposal authorities);

(k)a joint authority established by Part IV of that Act [F278(fire and rescue services and transport)];

(l)any body established pursuant to an order under section 67 of that Act (successors to residuary bodies);

(m)the Broads Authority;

[F279(ma)a National Park authority;]

(n)any joint board the constituent members of which consist of any of the bodies specified above;

F280(o). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F281(oo)a joint planning board constituted for an area in Wales outside a National Park by an order under section 2(1B) of the M71Town and Country Planning Act 1990; and]

(p)a Passenger Transport Executive.

(4)Any power to make an order under this Part shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament; and under any such power different provision maybe made for different cases and different descriptions of cases (including different provision for different areas).

[F282(5)The power under subsection (4) above to make differential provision includes, in particular, power to make different provision for different local authorities or descriptions of local authority.]

Textual Amendments

F272S. 67(3)(aa) inserted (7.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3071, art. 2, Sch. 3(6)

F274S. 67(3)(bb)(bc) inserted (8.5.2000 for specified purposes otherwise 3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 393(1)(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/3434, arts. 3, 4

F275S. 67(3)(ga) inserted (1.4.2001) by 1999 c. 22, s. 83(3), Sch. 12 paras. 4, 6 (with s. 107, Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 2001/916, art. 2(a)(i) (with savings in Sch. 2 para. 2)

F276S. 67(3)(h) substituted (1.10.2004 except in relation to W., 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 1 para. 71(3); S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2; S.I. 2004/2917, art. 2

F279S. 67(3)(ma) inserted (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 65(7), 125(2), Sch. 8 para. 10 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

F280S. 67(3)(o) repealed (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(3), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/2560, art. 2, Sch.

F281S. 67(3)(oo) inserted (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 31(3) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2(1)

F282S. 67(5) inserted (18.11.2003 for E. and 27.11.2003 for W.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(6), Sch. 3 para. 2; S.I. 2003/2938, art. 3(a) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C197S. 67(3) modified (temp.) (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 67; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

Commencement Information

I1S. 67 wholly in force at 7.10.1993; s. 67 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 195(2); s. 67 in force for certain purposes at 16.1.1990 by S.I. 1989/2445, art. 4; s. 67 in force so far as not already in force at 7.10.1993 by S.I. 1993/2140, art. 3

Marginal Citations

M691969 c.24. (N.I.)

68 Companies controlled by local authorities and arm’s length companies.E+W

(1)For the purposes of this Part, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, a company is for the time being under the control of a local authority if—

[F283(a)the company is at that time a subsidiary (as defined in section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006) of the local authority; or]

(b)paragraph (a) above does not apply but the local authority have at that time power to control a majority of the votes at a general meeting of the company as mentioned in subsection (3) below; or

(c)paragraph (a) above does not apply but the local authority have at that time power to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of the company; or

(d)the company is under the control of another company which, by virtue of this subsection, is itself under the control of the local authority;

and, for the purposes of paragraph (d) above, any question whether one company is under the control of another shall be determined by applying the preceding provisions of this subsection, substituting a reference to the other company for any reference to the local authority.

(2)A direction under subsection (1) above—

(a)may be limited in time and may be made conditional upon such matters as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate; and

(b)may be made with respect to a particular company or a description of companies specified in the direction.

(3)The reference in subsection (1)(b) above to a power to control a majority of votes at a general meeting of the company is a reference to a power which is exercisable—

(a)in the case of a company limited by shares, through the holding of equity share capital in any one or more of the following ways, namely, by the local authority, by nominees of the local authority and by persons whose shareholding is under the control of the local authority; or

(b)in the case of any company, through the holding of votes at a general meeting of the company in any one or more of the following ways, namely, by the local authority, by a group of members of the company the composition of which is controlled by the local authority and by persons who have contractually bound themselves to vote in accordance with the instructions ofthe local authority; or

(c)partly in one of those ways and partly in the other.

(4)[F284Paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 to the Companies Act 2006 (right to appoint or remove a majority of a company's board of directors) and the following paragraphs of that Schedule as they have effect in relation to paragraph 3] apply for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) above with the substitution for the word “right”, wherever it occurs, of the word “power”.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (3)(a) above, a person’s shareholding is under the control of a local authority if—

(a)his right to hold the shares arose because of some action which the authority took, or refrained from taking, in order to enable him to have the right; and

(b)the local authority, alone or jointly with one or more other persons can require him to transfer his shareholding (or any part of it) to another person.

(6)Notwithstanding that, by virtue of the preceding provisions of this section, a company is for the time being under the control of a local authority, the company is for the purposes of this Part an “arm’s length company”, in relation to any financial year if, at a time before the beginning of that year, the authority resolved that the company should be an arm’s length company and, at all times from the passing of that resolution up to the end of the financial year in question, the following conditions have applied while the company has been under the control of the local authority,—

(a)that each of the directors of the company was appointed for a fixed term of at least two years;

(b)that, subject to subsection (7) below, no director of the company has been removed by resolution under [F285section 168 of the Companies Act 2006];

(c)that not more than one-fifth of the directors of the company have been members or officers of the authority;

(d)that the company has not occupied (as tenant or otherwise) any land in which the authority have an interest otherwise than for the best consideration reasonably obtainable;

(e)that the company has entered into an agreement with the authority that the company will use its best endeavours to produce a specified positive return on its assets;

(f)that, except for the purpose of enabling the company to acquire fixed assets or to provide it with working capital, the authority have not lent money to the company or guaranteed any sum borrowed by it or subscribed for any securities in the company;

(g)that the authority have not made any grant to the company except in pursuance of an agreement or undertaking entered into before the financial year (within the meaning of [F286the Companies Act 2006]) of the company in which the grant was made; and

(h)that the authority have not made any grant to the company the amount of which is in any way related to the financial results of the company in any period.

(7)If the Secretary of State so directs, the removal of a director shall be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (6)(b) above; but the Secretary of State shall not give such a direction if it appears to him that the director was removed with a view to influencing the management of the company for other than commercial reasons.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C200S. 68 applied (with modifications) (11.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/330, reg. 9(1)

C201S. 68(1) applied (29.4.1996) by 1992 c. 19, s. 1A(5) (as inserted (29.4.1996) by 1996 c. 10, s. 5(2)) (which amendment fell (11.9.1998) by reason of the repeal of 1996 c. 10, s. 5(2) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 54(3), 55(2), Sch. 5)

S. 68(1) applied (11.9.1998) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 45(5), 55(2)

C202S. 68(1) applied (with modifications) (14.3.1995) by S.I. 1995/402, reg. 3(2)

Commencement Information

I2S. 68 wholly in force at 7.10.1993; s. 68 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 195(2); s. 68 in force for certain purposes at 16.1.1990 by S.I. 1989/2445, art. 4; s. 68 in force so far as not already in force at 7.10.1993 by S.I. 1993/2410, art. 3

69 Companies subject to local authority influence.E+W

(1)For the purposes of this Part, unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs, a company which is not at the time under the control of a local authority is for the time being subject to the influence of a local authority if it is not a banking or insurance company or a member of a banking or insurance group and at that time there is such a business relationship between the company and the authority as is referred to in subsection (3) below and either—

(a)at least 20 per cent. of the total voting rights of all the members having the right to vote at a general meeting of the company are held by persons who are associated with the authority as mentioned in subsection (5) below; or

(b)at least 20 per cent. of the directors of the company are persons who are so associated; or

(c)at least 20 per cent. of the total voting rights at a meeting of the directors of the company are held by persons who are so associated.

(2)A direction under subsection (1) above—

(a)may be limited in time and may be made conditional upon such matters as appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate; and

(b)may be made with respect to a particular company or a description of companies specified in the direction.

(3)For the purposes of this section there is a business relationship between a company and a local authority at any time if the condition in any one or more of the following paragraphs is fulfilled—

(a)within a period of twelve months which includes that time the aggregate of the payments to the company by the authority or by another company which is under the control of the authority represents more than one-half of thecompany’s turnover, as shown in its profit and loss account for the most recent financial year for which the company’s auditors have made a report on the accounts or, if there is no such account, as estimated by the authority for the period of twelve months preceding the date of the estimate or for such part of that period as follows the formation of the company;

(b)more than one-half of the company’s turnover referred to in paragraph (a) above is derived from the exploitation of assets of any description in which the local authority or a company under the control of the authority has an interest (disregarding an interest in land which is in reversion on a lease granted for more than 7 years);

(c)the aggregate of—

(i)grants made either by the authority and being expenditure for capital purposes or by a company under the control of the authority, and

(ii)the nominal value of shares or stock in the company which is owned by the authority or by a company under the control of the authority,

exceeds one-half of the net assets of the company;

(d)the aggregate of—

(i)grants falling within paragraph (c)(i) above,

(ii)loans or other advances made or guaranteed by the authority or by a company under the control of the authority, and

(iii)the nominal value referred to in paragraph (c)(ii) above,

exceeds one-half of the fixed and current assets of the company;

(e)the company at that time occupies land by virtue of an interest which it obtained from the local authority or a company under the control of the authority and which it so obtained at less than the best consideration reasonably obtainable; and

(f)the company intends at that time to enter into (or complete) a transaction and, when that is done, there will then be a business relationship between the company and the authority by virtue of any of paragraphs (a) to (e) above.

(4)In subsection (3) above—

(a)the reference in paragraph (c) to the net assets of the company shall beconstrued in accordance with [F287section 677(2) and (3) of the Companies Act 2006]; and

[F288(b)“fixed assets” means assets of a company that are intended for use on a continuing basis in the company's activities, and “current assets” means assets not intended for such use;]

and in either case, the reference is a reference to those assets as shown in the most recent balance sheet of the company on which, at the time in question, the auditors have made a report or, if there is no such balance sheet, as estimated by the local authority for the time in question.

(5)For the purposes of this section, a person is at any time associated with a local authority if—

(a)he is at that time a member of the authority;

(b)he is at that time an officer of the authority;

(c)he is at that time both an employee and either a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of a company which is under the control of the authority; or

(d)at any time within the preceding four years he has been associated with the authority by virtue of paragraph (a) above.

(6)If and to the extent that the Secretary of State by order so provides, a person is at any time associated with a local authority if—

(a)at that time he is, or is employed by or by a subsidiary of, a person who for the time being has a contractual relationship with the authority to provide—

(i)advice with regard to the authority’s interest in any company (whether existing or proposed to be formed), or

(ii)advice with regard to the management of an undertaking or the development of land by a company (whether existing or proposed to be formed) with which it is proposed that the authority should enter into any lease, licence or other contract or to which it is proposed that the authority should make any grant or loan, or

(iii)services which facilitate the exercise of the authority’s rights in any company (whether by acting as the authority’s representative at a meeting of the company or as a director appointed by the authority or otherwise);

(b)at any time within the preceding four years, he has been associated with the authority by virtue of paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of subsection (5)above;

(c)he is at that time the spouse [F289or civil partner] of, or carries on business in partnership with, a person who is associated with the authority by virtue of subsection (5)(a) above; or

(d)he holds a relevant office in a political association or other body which, in the nomination paper of a person who is an elected member of the authority, formed part of that person’s description.

(7)For the purposes of subsection (6)(d) above, an office in a political association or body is relevant to a local authority in the following circumstances—

(a)if the association or body is active only in the area of the local authority, any office in it is relevant; and

(b)in any other case, an office is relevant only if it is in a branch or other part of the association or body which is active in the area of the local authority.

(8)In relation to a company which is [F290a registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014], any reference in this section to the directors of the company is a reference to the members of the committee of management.

(9)Subject to subsections (4) and (8) and section 67 above, expressions used in this section have the same meaning as in [F291the Companies Acts (as defined in section 2 of the Companies Act 2006)].

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C204S. 69 applied (with modifications) (11.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/330, reg. 9(2)

Commencement Information

I3S. 69 wholly in force at 7.10.1993; s. 69 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 195(2); s. 69 in force for certain purposes at 16.1.1990 by S.I.1989/2445, art. 4; s. 69 in force so far as not already in force at 7.10.1993 by S.I. 1993/2410, art. 3

70 Requirements for companies under control or subject to influence of localauthorities.E+W

(1)In relation to companies under the control of local authorities and companies subject to the influence of local authorities, the Secretary of State may by order make provision regulating, forbidding or requiring the taking of certain actions or courses of action; and an order under this subsection may—

(a)make provision in relation to those companies which are arm’s length companies different from that applicable to companies which are not; and

(b)make provision in relation to companies under the control of local authorities different from that applicable in relation to companies under the influence of local authorities.

(2)It shall be the duty of every local authority to ensure, so far as practicable, that any company under its control complies with [F292any provisions made by order under subsection (1) above which are for the time being applicable to it]; and if a local authority fails to perform that duty in relation to any company, any payment made by the authority to that company and any other expenditure incurred bythe authority in contravention of any such provisions shall be deemed for the purposes of [F293the Audit Commission Act 1998] [F294 and Part 2 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004] to be expenditure which is unlawful.

(3)In order to secure compliance, in relation to companies subject to the influence of [F295a local authority], with provisions made by virtue of subsection (1) above, an order under that subsection may prescribe requirements to be complied with by [F296the] local authority in relation to conditions to be included in such leases, licences, contracts, gifts, grants or loans as may be so prescribed which are made with or to a company subject to the influence of the local authority.

(4)It shall be the duty of a local authority to comply with any requirements for the time being applicable to it under subsection (3) above; and if a local authority fails to perform that duty, any expenditure which is incurred by the local authority under the lease, licence, contract, gift, grant or loan in question shall be deemed for the purposes of [F297the Audit Commission Act 1998] [F298and Part 2 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004] to be expenditure which is unlawful.

(5)Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by subsection (1) above, an order under that subsection may make provision requiring acompany or local authority to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State, or of the Audit Commission for Local Authorities [F299and the National Health Service in England] [F300or of the Auditor General for Wales,] before taking any particular action or course of action.

[F301(6)An order under subsection (1) may be made in relation to—

(a)all local authorities,

(b)particular local authorities, or

(c)particular descriptions of local authority.]

Textual Amendments

F292Words in s. 70(2) substituted (18.11.2003 for E. and 27.11.2003 for W.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(6), Sch. 7 para. 30(2); S.I. 2003/2938, art. 3(a) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

F293Words in s. 70(2) substituted (11.9.1998) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 54(1), 55(2), Sch. 3 para. 18(3)(a)

F295Words in s. 70(3) substituted (18.11.2003 for E. and 27.11.2003 for W.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(6), Sch. 7 para. 30(3)(a); S.I. 2003/2938, art. 3(a) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

F296Word in s. 70(3) substituted (18.11.2003 for E. and 27.11.2003 for W.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(6), Sch. 7 para. 30(3)(b); S.I. 2003/2938, art. 3(a) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

F297Words in s. 70(4) substituted (11.9.1998) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 54(1), 55(2), Sch. para. 18(3)(b)

F301S. 70(6) inserted (18.11.2003 for E. and 27.11.2003 for W.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(6), Sch. 3 para. 3; S.I. 2003/2938, art. 3(a) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I4S. 70 wholly in force at 7.10.1993; s. 70 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 195(2); s. 70 in force for certain purposes at 16.1.1990 by S.I.1989/2445, art. 4; s. 70 in force so far as not already in force at 7.10.1993 by S.I.1993/2410, art. 3

71 Control of minority interests etc. in certain companies.E+W

(1)In relation to a local authority, subsection (2) below applies to any company other than—

(a)a company which is or, if the action referred to in that subsection is taken, will be under the control of the local authority; and

(b)a company of a description specified for the purposes of this section by an order made by the Secretary of State;

and in this section an “authorised company” means a company falling within paragraph (b) above.

(2)Except with the approval of the Secretary of State, in relation to acompany to which this subsection applies, a local authority may not—

(a)subscribe for, or acquire, whether in their own name or in the name of a nominee, any shares or share warrants in the company;

(b)become or remain a member of the company if it is limited by guarantee;

(c)exercise any power, however arising, to nominate any person to become a member of the company;

(d)exercise any power to appoint directors of the company;

(e)permit any officer of the authority, in the course of his employment, to make any such nomination or appointment as is referred to in paragraph (c) or paragraph (d) above; or

(f)permit an officer of the authority, in the course of his employment, to become or remain a member or director of the company.

(3)Any approval of the Secretary of State under subsection (2) above may be general or relate to any specific matter or company.

(4)A local authority may not take any action, or refrain from exercising any right, which would have the result that a person who is disqualified from membership of the authority (otherwise than by being employed by that or any other local authority or by a company which is under the control of a local authority) becomes a member or director of an authorised company or is authorised, in accordance with [F302section 323 of the Companies Act 2006], to act as the authority’s representative at a general meeting of an authorised company (or at meetings of an authorised company which include a general meeting).

(5)In any case where,—

(a)in accordance with [F303section 323 of the Companies Act 2006], a local authority have authorised a member or officer of the authority to act as mentioned in subsection (4) above, or

(b)a member or officer of a local authority has become a member or director of an authorised company as mentioned in subsection (7) below,

the authority shall make arrangements (whether by standing orders or otherwise) for enabling members of the authority, in the course of proceedings of the authority (or of any committee or sub-committee thereof), [F304or, where a local authority is operating executive arrangements under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000, for enabling members of the executive, in the course of proceedings of the executive (or of any committee of the executive),] to put to the member or officer concerned questions about the activities of the company.

(6)Nothing in subsection (5) above shall require the member or officer referred to in that subsection to disclose any information about the company which has been communicated to him in confidence.

(7)Any member or officer of a local authority who has become a member or director of an authorised company by virtue of—

(a)a nomination made by the authority, or

(b)election at a meeting of the company at which voting rights were exercisable (whether or not exercised) by the authority or by a person bound to vote in accordance with the instructions of the authority, or

(c)an appointment made by the directors of another company, the majority of whom became directors of that company by virtue of a nomination made by the authority or election at a meeting of the company at which voting rights were exercisable as mentioned in paragraph (b) above,

shall make a declaration to the authority, in such form as they may require, of any remuneration or re-imbursement of expenses which he receives from the company as a member or director or in respect of anything done on behalf of the company.

(8)Subject to section 67 above, expressions used in this section have the same meaning as in [F305the Companies Acts (as defined in section 2 of the Companies Act 2006)].

Textual Amendments

F304Words in s. 71(5) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 26(1); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 25(1)

Commencement Information

I5S. 71 partly in force; s. 71 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 195(2); s. 71 in force for specified purposes at 16.1.1990 by S.I. 1989/2445, art. 4; s. 71(1)(5) in force for specified purposes and s. 71(4)(6)(8) fully in force at 1.4.1995 by S.I. 1995/841, art. 2 (with transitional provisions in art. 3)

72 Trusts influenced by local authorities.E+W

(1)The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument adapt theprovisions of section 69 above so as to make them applicable to trusts which are not charitable; and, subject to subsection (2) below, this Part shall apply in relation to trusts which are subject to local authority influence by virtue of that section as so adapted as it applies in relation to companies which are subject to local authority influence.

(2)In the exercise of the power conferred by section 70 above, as applied in relation to trusts by subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State may make different provision for trusts as compared with companies.

Commencement Information

I6S. 72 wholly in force at 7.10.1993; s. 72 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 195(2); s. 72 in force for certain purposes at 16.1.1990 by S.I. 1989/2445, art. 4; s. 72 in force so far as not already in force at 7.10.1993 by S.I. 1993/2410, art. 3

73 Authorities acting jointly and by committees.E+W

(1)In any case where—

(a)apart from this section a company would not be under the control of anyone local authority, but

(b)if the actions, powers and interests of two or more local authorities were treated as those of one authority alone, the company would be under the control of that one authority,

the company shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as under the control of each of the two or more local authorities mentioned in paragraph (b) above.

(2)In any case where, apart from this section, a company would not be treated as being subject to the influence of any one local authority, it shall be treated as being subject to the influence of each of a number of local authorities (in this section referred to as a “group”) if the conditions in subsection (3) below are fulfilled with respect to the company and the group of authorities.

(3)The conditions referred to in subsection (2) above are—

(a)that at least one of the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (3) of section 69 above would be fulfilled—

(i)if any reference therein to the company being under the control of a local authority were a reference to its being under the control of any one of the authorities in the group or of any two or more of them taken together; and

(ii)if any other reference therein to the local authority were a reference to any two or more of the authorities in the group taken together; and

(b)that at least one of the conditions in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection(1) of section 69 above would be fulfilled if any reference therein to the local authority were a reference to those local authorities who are taken into account under sub-paragraph (i) or sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) above taken together; and

(c)that if the condition (or one of the conditions) which would be fulfilled as mentioned in paragraph (b) above is that in subsection (1)(a) of section 69 above, then, so far as concerns each local authority in the group, at least one person who, in terms of subsection (5) of that section, is associated with that authority has the right to vote at a general meeting of the company; and

(d)that, if paragraph (c) above does not apply, then, so far as concerns each local authority in the group, a person who, in terms of section 69(5) above, is associated with the authority is a director of the company.

(4)For the purposes of this Part, anything done, and any power exercisable,by a committee or sub-committee of a local authority, or by any of the authority’s officers [F306or, where a local authority is operating executive arrangements under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000, by the authority’s executive, any committee of the executive, or any member of the executive], shall be treated as done or, as the case may be,exercisable by the authority.

(5)For the purposes of this Part, anything done, and any power exercisable,by a joint committee of two or more local authorities or by a sub-committee of such a joint committee shall be treated as done or, as the case may be, exercisable by each of the local authorities concerned.

Textual Amendments

F306Words in s. 73(4) inserted (E.) (11.7.2001) and (W.) (1.4.2002) by S.I. 2001/2237, arts. 1(2), 26(2); S.I. 2002/808, arts. 1(2), 25(2)

Part VIE+W Housing Finance

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C206Pt. 6 (ss. 74-86) applied (1.4.1997) by 1992 c. 5, s. 140G (as inserted (1.4.1997) by 1996 c. 52, s. 121, Sch. 12 paras. 4; S.I. 1997/618, art. 2 (subject to transitional provisions in Sch.))

Housing accountsE+W

74 Duty to keep Housing Revenue Account.E+W

(1)A local housing authority shall keep, in accordance with proper practices, an account, called the “Housing Revenue Account”, of sums falling to be credited or debited in respect of—

(a)houses and other buildings which have been provided under Part II of the M72Housing Act 1985 (provision of housing);

(b)land which has been acquired or appropriated for the purposes of thatPart;

(c)houses purchased under section 192 of that Act (purchase of house foundon appeal against repair notice to be unfit and beyond repair at reasonable cost);

(d)dwellings in respect of which a local authority have received assistance under section 1 or section 4(2A) of the M73Housing (RuralWorkers) Act 1926;

(e)any property which—

(i)with the consent of the Secretary of State given under section 417(1) of the Housing Act 1985,

(ii)with the consent of a Minister given under section 50(1)(e) of the M74Housing (Financial Provisions) Act 1958, or

(iii)by virtue of section 50(2) of that Act (houses vesting in local authority on default of another person),

was brought within the corresponding account kept under Part XIII of the Housing Act 1985 for years beginning before 1st April 1990; and

(f)such land, houses or other buildings not within the preceding paragraphsas the Secretary of State may direct.

(2)References in subsection (1) above and the other provisions of this Part to provisions of the Housing Act 1985 include, where the context so admits, references to the corresponding provisions of earlier enactments; and the reference in paragraph (b) of that subsection to land acquired for the purposes of Part II of that Act includes—

(a)land which a local authority were deemed to have acquired under Part V of the M75Housing Act 1957 by virtue of section 57(6) of that Act (land acquired for re-development in pursuance of re-development plan) before the repeal of that section on 25th August 1969; and

(b)any structures on such land which were made available to a local authority under section 1 of the M76Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act 1944 (prefabs).

(3)Paragraphs (a) to (e) of subsection (1) above shall not apply to—

(a)land, houses or other buildings disposed of by the authority;

(b)land acquired by the authority for the purpose of disposing of houses provided, or to be provided, on the land, or of disposing of the land to a person who intends to provide housing accommodation on it [F307or facilities which serve a beneficial purpose in connection with the requirements of persons for whom housing accommodation is provided];

(c)houses provided by the authority on land so acquired; or

(d)such land, houses or other buildings as the Secretary of State may direct;

and paragraph (a) of that subsection shall not apply to houses and other buildings provided on or before 6th February 1919.

(4)A local housing authority not possessing property to which subsection (1)above applies shall nevertheless keep a Housing Revenue Account unless the Secretary of State consents to their not doing so and they comply with such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the consent.

(5)In this Part—

(a)references to the houses or other property of an authority within the authority’s Housing Revenue Account are references to the houses, dwellings or other property to which subsection (1) above for the time being applies;and

(b)references (however expressed) to a disposal are references to a conveyance of the freehold, or a grant or assignment of a lease (other than a shared ownership lease) which is a long tenancy within the meaning given by section 115 of the M77Housing Act 1985 [F308or which is a long tenancy within the meaning given by paragraph 8 of Schedule 2 to the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 1)].

(6)Sections 417 to 420 of, and Schedule 14 to, the Housing Act 1985 (which are superseded by this section, sections 75 to 78 below and Schedule 4 to this Act) shall cease to have effect.

Textual Amendments

F307Words in s. 74(3)(b) inserted (24.9.1996) by 1996 c. 52, ss. 222, 232(2), Sch. 18 para. 24(2)

Marginal Citations

75 The keeping of the Housing Revenue Account.E+W

Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the keeping of a local housing authority’s Housing Revenue Account, as follows—

  • Part I - Credits to the account.

  • Part II - Debits to the account.

  • Part III - Special cases.

  • Part IV - Supplementary provisions.

76 Duty to prevent debit balance on Housing Revenue Account.E+W

(1)This section applies where for any year (“the relevant year”) a local housing authority who are required to keep a Housing Revenue Account possess any houses or other property within the account.

(2)The authority shall, during the months of January and February immediately preceding the relevant year, formulate proposals which satisfy the requirements of subsection (3) below and relate to—

(a)the income of the authority for the year from rents and other charges in respect of houses and other property within their Housing Revenue Account;

(b)the expenditure of the authority for the year in respect of the repair,maintenance, supervision and management of such property; and

(c)such other matters connected with the exercise of the authority’s functions in relation to such property as the Secretary of State may direct.

(3)Proposals formulated by the authority under subsection (2) above satisfy the requirements of this subsection at any time if, on the assumption that thefollowing will prove correct, namely—

(a)the best assumptions that they are able to make at that time as to all matters which may affect the amounts falling to be credited or debited to their Housing Revenue Account for the relevant year; and

(b)the best estimates that they are able to make at that time of the amounts which, on those assumptions, will fall to be so credited or debited,

implementation of the proposals will secure that the account for that year does not show a debit balance.

(4)No assumptions shall be made under subsection (3) above as to the exerciseby the Secretary of State of any power except on the basis of information published by him or on his behalf or supplied by him to the authority.

(5)Subject to subsections (6) and (7) below, the authority shall implement the proposals formulated by them under subsection (2) above.

(6)The authority shall from time to time determine whether the proposals formulated under subsection (2) above satisfy the requirements of subsection(3) above; and—

(a)termine that question in the affirmative, they may make such revisions of the proposals as they think fit, so long as the proposals (as so revised) continue to satisfy those requirements;

(b)if they determine that question in the negative, they shall make such revisions of the proposals as are reasonably practicable towards securing that the proposals (as so revised) satisfy those requirements.

(7)Where the proposals formulated under subsection (2) above are revised under subsection (6) above, subsections (3) to (6) above shall apply inrelation to the proposals as so revised as they applied in relation to the proposals as originally formulated.

(8)The authority shall, within one month of formulating their proposals under subsection (2) above, or of revising those proposals under subsection (6)above, prepare a statement setting out—

(a)those proposals as so formulated or so revised;

(b)the estimates made by them under subsection (3)(b) above on the basis of which those proposals were so formulated or so revised; and

(c)such other particulars relating to those proposals and estimates as the Secretary of State may direct;

and a direction under paragraph (c) above may specify the manner in which the particulars are to be set out in the statement.

(9)The authority shall, until the end of the year next following the relevant year, keep copies of the statement which is for the time being the latest statement prepared by them under subsection (8) above available for inspection by the public without charge at all reasonable hours at one or more of their offices; and any person shall be entitled to take copies of, or extracts from,that statement when so made available.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C209S. 76 modified (28.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 39

77 Power to keep Housing Repairs Account.E+W

(1)A local housing authority who are required to keep a Housing RevenueAccount may also keep, in accordance with proper practices, an account called the “Housing Repairs Account”.

(2)An authority who keep a Housing Repairs Account shall carry to the credit of the account for any year—

(a)sums transferred for the year from their Housing Revenue Account; and

(b)sums receivable by the authority for the year in connection with the repair or maintenance of houses or other property within their Housing Revenue Account (either from their tenants or from the sale of scrapped or salvaged materials).

(3)The authority shall carry to the debit of the account for any year—

(a)all expenditure incurred by them for the year in connection with therepair or maintenance of houses or other property within their Housing Revenue Account;

(b)such expenditure incurred by them for the year in connection with the improvement or replacement of houses or other property within their Housing Revenue Account as may from time to time be determined by the Secretary of State; and

(c)sums transferred for the year to the Housing Revenue Account in accordance with subsection (5) below.

(4)The authority shall secure that sufficient credits are carried to the account to secure that no debit balance is shown in the account for any year.

(5)The authority may carry some or all of any credit balance in the account for any year to the credit of their Housing Revenue Account.

(6)So much of any credit balance shown in an authority’s Housing Repairs Account at the end of the year beginning 1st April 1989 as is not carried tothe credit of their Housing Revenue Account for that year shall be carried forward and credited to some other revenue account of theirs for the year beginning 1st April 1990.

78 Directions to secure proper accounting.E+W

The Secretary of State may give directions as to the accounting practices (whether actual or prospective) which are to be followed by a local housing authority in the keeping of their Housing Revenue Account or Housing RepairsAccount.

[F30978A Directions as to treatment of service charges, &c.E+W

(1)The Secretary of State may give directions as to what items or amounts are to be regarded as referable to property within a local housing authority’s Housing Revenue Account where one or more parts of a building have been disposed of but the common parts remain property within that account.

(2)Any such direction also has effect for the purposes of any Housing Repairs Account kept by the authority.

(3)Directions under this section may give the authority a discretion as to whether items or amounts are accounted for in the Housing Revenue Account or any Housing Repairs Account or in another revenue account.

(4)In this section “common parts” includes the structure and exterior of the building and common facilities provided, whether in the building or elsewhere, for persons who include the occupiers of one or more parts of the building.]

Textual Amendments

F309S. 78A inserted (1.10.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 18 para. 4(2) of the amending Act) by 1996 c. 52, s. 222, Sch. 18 para. 4(1); S.I. 1996/2402, art. 3 (subject to transitional provisions in Sch.)

[F31078B Directions as to accounting for work subject to competitive tendering.E+W

(1)This section applies where work is carried out by a local housing authority which has successfully bid for the work on a competitive basis.

(2)The Secretary of State may give directions—

(a)to secure that the amount debited to the Housing Revenue Account or any Housing Repairs Account of the authority in respect of the work reflects the amount of the authority’s successful bid for the work rather than expenditure actually incurred;

(b)allowing an authority to credit to its Housing Revenue Account any surpluses reasonably attributable to work undertaken on or in connection with property within that account.

(3)Directions under subsection (2)(a) may make provision for determining the amount to be treated as the amount of the authority’s successful bid.

References in this Part to expenditure shall be construed as references to the amount falling to be debited in accordance with the directions.

(4)Directions under subsection (2)(b) may make provision as to the ascertainment of the surpluses referred to and the circumstances in which a surplus is or is not to be taken to be attributable to property within an authority’s Housing Revenue Account.]

Textual Amendments

F310S. 78B inserted (1.10.1996 with effect as mentioned in Sch. 18 para. 4(2) of the amending Act) by 1996 c. 52, s. 222, Sch. 18 para. 4(1); S.I. 1996/2402, art. 3 (subject to transitional provisions in Sch.)

Housing subsidiesE+W

F31179 Housing Revenue Account subsidy.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31280 Calculation of Housing Revenue Account subsidy.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31380BAgreements to exclude certain authorities or propertyE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31580ZANegative amounts of subsidy payable to [F314Welsh Ministers] E+W

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Textual Amendments

F31680A Final decision on amount of Housing Revenue Account subsidy.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31781. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F31882 Residual debt subsidy for year 1989–90.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31883 Calculation of residual debt subsidy.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F31884 Adjustment of housing subsidy for year 1989-90.E+W

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Textual Amendments

SupplementaryE+W

F31985 Power to obtain information.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F32086 Recoupment of subsidy in certain cases.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

87 Determinations and directions.E+W

(1)A determination made or direction given by the Secretary of State under this Part—

(a)may make different provision for different cases or descriptions of cases, including different provision for different areas, for different local housing authorities or for different descriptions of local housing authorities;

(b)may be made before, during or after the end of the year to which it relates; and

(c)may be varied or revoked by a subsequent determination or direction.

(2)Before making a determination or giving a direction under this Part relating to all local housing authorities or any description of such authorities, the Secretary of State shall consult such representatives of local government and relevant professional bodies as appear to him to be appropriate; and, before making a determination or giving a direction relating to a particular local housing authority, he shall consult that authority.

(3)As soon as practicable after making a determination under this Part, the Secretary of State shall send a copy of the determination to the local housing authority or authorities to which it relates.

[F321(4)References in this section to sending to a local housing authority a copy of a determination under this Part include references to using electronic communications for sending a copy of a determination to such address as may for the time being be notified to the Secretary of State by that authority for that purpose.

F322(5)For the purposes of this section a copy of a determination under this Part is also to be treated as sent to a local housing authority where—

(a)the Secretary of State and that authority have agreed to the authority instead having access to determinations on a web site;

(b)the determination is a determination to which that agreement applies;

(c)the Secretary of State has published the determination on a web site;

(d)that authority is notified, in a manner for the time being agreed for the purpose between that authority and the Secretary of State, of—

(i)the publication of the determination on a web site;

(ii)the address of that web site; and

(iii)the place on that web site where the determination may be accessed, and how it may be accessed.

F323(6)A local housing authority which is no longer willing to accept electronic communications for the sending of copies of determinations under this Part, may withdraw a notification of an address given to the Secretary of State for the purposes of subsection (4) above and such a withdrawal shall take effect on a date specified by the authority being a date no less than one month after the date on which the authority informs the Secretary of State that it wants to withdraw the notification of the address given.

F324(7)A local housing authority which has entered into an agreement with the Secretary of State under paragraph (a) of subsection (5) above may revoke the agreement and such a revocation shall take effect on a date specified by the authority being a date no less than one month after the date on which the authority informs the Secretary of State that it wants to revoke the agreement.]

Textual Amendments

F321S. 87(4)-(7) inserted (E.) (10.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3056, art. 3 and the said insertion extended to Wales (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/605, art. 2(2)

F322S. 87(4)-(7) inserted (E.) (10.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3056, art. 3 and the said insertion extended to Wales (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/605, art. 2(2)

F323S. 87(4)-(7) inserted (E.) (10.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3056, art. 3 and the said insertion extended to Wales (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/605, art. 2(2)

F324S. 87(4)-(7) inserted (E.) (10.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3056, art. 3 and the said insertion extended to Wales (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/605, art. 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C210S. 87 extended (W.) (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/605, art. 2(1), Sch.

[F32587AOrders amending Part 6E+W

(1)The appropriate person may by order—

(a)amend, repeal or re-enact provisions of sections 74 to 76 and 78 of, and Schedule 4 to, this Act;

(b)provide for any such provisions—

(i)not to apply, whether at all or in cases specified by the order or to authorities so specified;

(ii)to apply, whether generally or in cases so specified or to authorities so specified, subject to modifications so specified.

(2)An order under this section may (in particular)—

(a)add items to, or remove items from, Part 1 or 2 of Schedule 4 to this Act, or vary items of those Parts;

(b)confer discretions, or expand, curtail or repeal discretions conferred, on the appropriate person or any other person;

(c)be made before, during or after the end of any year to which it relates.

(3)In subsection (2)(b) above “discretion” includes power to make a determination or give a direction.

(4)An order under this section may—

(a)contain such incidental, consequential, transitional or supplementary provisions (including provisions amending or repealing enactments), and such savings, as the appropriate person considers appropriate;

(b)make different provision for different cases or authorities.

(5)The power to make an order under this section is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(6)The Secretary of State shall not make an order under this section unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

88 Construction and application of Part VI.E+W

(1)In this Part—

(a)expressions which are used in Part XIII of the M78Housing Act 1985 (general financial provisions) have the same meaning as in that Part;

[F326(aa)“the appropriate person” means—

(i)in relation to England, the Secretary of State, and

(ii)in relation to Wales,] [F327Welsh Ministers];

(b)references to a local housing authority’s Housing Revenue Account or Housing Repairs Account include, where the context so admits, references to the corresponding account kept by them under that Part;

(c)references to a revenue account of a local housing authority other than their Housing Revenue Account do not include references to a Housing Repairs Account; [F328 and]

(d)references to proper practices shall be construed in accordance with [F329section 21 of the Local Government Act 2003] [F330; and

F331(e)“electronic communication” means a communication transmitted (whether from one person to another, from one device to another or from a person to a device or vice versa)—

F332(i)by means of [F333an electronic communications network]; or

(ii)by other means but while in an electronic form;

F334(f)“address”, in relation to electronic communications, includes any number or address used for the purposes of such communications.]

F335(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)F336... This Part has effect for years beginning on or after 1st April 1990.

F337(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F337(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)Any consultation undertaken before the passing of this Act in connection with a determination proposed to be made under this Part shall be as effective, in relation to that determination, as if this Part had been in force at the time the consultation was undertaken.

Textual Amendments

F326S. 88(1)(aa) inserted (18.11.2003 for E. and 27.11.2003 for W. for the purpose of and in relation to financial years beginning on or after 1.4.2004) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), ss. 89(6), 128(6); S.I. 2003/2938, art. 3(a) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

F327Words in s. 88(1)(aa)(ii) substituted (22.9.2008) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), ss. 313(2), 325(2)(a)

F328Word in s. 88(1)(c) deleted (E.) (10.12.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/3056, art. 4(a)

F329Words in s. 88(1)(d) substituted (27.11.2003 for W. for the purpose of and in relation to financial years beginning on or after 1.4.2004, and 1.4.2004 for E.) by Local Government Act 2003 (c. 26), s. 128(6), Sch. 7 para. 32; S.I. 2003/2938, art. 7(a) (with art. 8, Sch.); S.I. 2003/3034, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I

F330Word in s. 88(1)(c) deleted (E.) (10.12.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/3056, art. 4(a)

F331S. 88(1)(e)(f) and the preceding "and" inserted (E.) (10.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3056, art. 4(b) and the said insertion extended to Wales (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/605, art. 2(2)

F333Words in s. 88(1)(e)(i) substituted (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 17 para. 100 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)

F334S. 88(1)(e)(f) and the preceding "and" inserted (E.) (10.12.2000) by S.I. 2000/3056, art. 4(b) and the said insertion extended to Wales (1.4.2001) by S.I. 2001/605, art. 2(2)

Marginal Citations

Part VIIE+W Renewal Areas

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C213Pt. VII (ss. 89-100) amended (24.9.1996) by 1996 c. 52, ss. 221, 232(2)

89 Declaration of renewal area.E+W

(1)Where a local housing authority, upon consideration of [F338a report containing particulars of the matters] mentioned in subsection (3) below and of any other matters which the authority consider relevant, are satisfied—

(a)that the living conditions in an area within their district consisting primarily of housing accommodation are unsatisfactory, and

(b)that those conditions can most effectively be dealt with by declaring the area to be a renewal area,

then, subject to the following provisions of this Part, they may cause the area to be defined on a map and by resolution declare it to be a renewal area [F339for the period specified in the declaration] .

(2)F340. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F341(3)The matters referred to in subsection (1) above are—

(a)the living conditions in the area concerned;

(b)the ways in which those conditions may be improved (whether by the declaration of a renewal area or otherwise);

(c)the powers available to the authority (including powers available apart from this Act) if the area is declared to be a renewal area;

(d)the authority’s detailed proposals for the exercise of those powers during the period that the area will be a renewal area (if so declared);

(e)the cost of those proposals;

(f)the financial resources available, or likely to be available, to the authority (from whatever source) for implementing those proposals; and

(g)the representations (if any) made to the authority in relation to those proposals,

and the report shall contain a recommendation, with reasons, as to whether a renewal area should be declared and, if so, the period for which the area should be a renewal area.

(4)Subject to section 95 below, an area which is declared to be a renewal area shall be such an area—

(a)until the end of the period specified in the declaration, or

(b)if at any time during that period the local housing authority by resolution extend the period for which the area is to be a renewal area, until the end of the period specified in the resolution (unless further extended under this paragraph).

(5)In considering whether—

(a)to declare an area to be a renewal area, or

(b)to extend the period for which an area is to be a renewal area,

a local housing authority shall have regard to such guidance as may from time to time be given by the Secretary of State.

(6)Before exercising their power—

(a)to declare an area to be a renewal area, or

(b)to extend (or further extend) the period for which an area is to be a renewal area,

a local housing authority shall take the steps required by subsection (7) below.

(7)Those steps are such as appear to the authority best designed to secure—

(a)that the detailed proposals referred to in subsection (3)(d) above or, where the authority are considering the extension of the period for which an area is to be a renewal area, such of those proposals as remain to be implemented, are brought to the attention of persons residing or owning property in the area; and

(b)that those persons are informed of the name and address of the person to whom should be addressed inquiries and representations concerning those proposals.

(8)A resolution under subsection (1) or (4)(b) above has effect from the day on which it is passed and is a local land charge.]

Textual Amendments

F340S. 89(2) repealed (19.7.2002) by The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1860), arts. 1, 14(1), 15 {Sch. 5 para. 2(3)}, {Sch. 6} (with art. 14(2))

90 Conditions for declaration of renewal area.E+W

F342. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F34391 Renewal area: steps to be taken after declaration or extensionE+W

(1)As soon as may be after—

(a)declaring an area to be a renewal area; or

(b)extending (or further extending) the period for which an area is to be a renewal area,

a local housing authority shall take the steps required by subsection (2) below.

(2)Those steps are such as appear to the authority best designed to secure—

(a)that the resolution to which the declaration, or extension (or further extension) of the period, relates is brought to the attention of persons residing or owning property in the area; and

(b)that those persons are informed of the name and address of the person to whom should be addressed inquiries and representations concerning action to be taken with respect to the renewal area.]

Textual Amendments

92 Duty to publish information.E+W

(1)Where a local housing authority have declared an area to be a renewal area, they shall from time to time publish, in such manner as appears to them best designed to secure that the information is brought to the attention of persons residing or owning property in the area, information with respect to—

(a)the action they propose to take in relation to the area,

(b)the action they have taken in relation to the area, and

(c)the assistance available for the carrying out of works in the area,

being such information as appears to them best designed to further the purpose for which the area was declared a renewal area.

(2)F344. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

93 General powers of local housing authority.E+W

(1)Where a local housing authority have declared an area to be a renewal area, the authority may exercise the powers conferred by this section.

(2)For the purpose of securing or assisting in securing all or any of the objectives mentioned in subsection (3) below, the authority may acquire by agreement, or be authorised by the Secretary of State to acquire compulsorily, any land in the area on which there are premises consisting of or including housing accommodation or which forms part of the curtilage of any such premises; and the authority may provide housing accommodation on land acquired under this subsection.

(3)The objectives referred to in subsection (2) above are—

(a)the improvement or repair of the premises, either by the authority or by a person to whom they propose to dispose of the premises;

(b)the proper and effective management and use of the housing accommodation, either by the authority or by a person to whom they propose to dispose of the premises comprising the accommodation; and

(c)the well-being of the persons for the time being residing in the area.

(4)For the purpose of effecting or assisting the improvement of the amenities in the area, the authority may acquire by agreement, or be authorised by the Secretary of State to acquire compulsorily, any land in the area (including land which the authority propose to dispose of to another person who intends to effect or assist the improvement of those amenities).

(5)The authority may—

(a)carry out works (including works of demolition) on land owned by the authority in the area (whether or not that land was acquired under subsection(2) or subsection (4) above); F345...

F345(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F345....

(6)The authority may enter into an agreement with a housing association or other person under which, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, F346... the authority’s functions under subsection (5) above are to be exercisable by that association or other person.

(7)If after—

(a)the authority have entered into a contract for the acquisition of land under subsection (2) or subsection (4) above, or

(b)a compulsory purchase order authorising the acquisition of land under either of those subsections has been confirmed,

the renewal area concerned ceases to be such an area or the land is excluded from the area, the provisions of the subsection in question shall continue to apply as if the land continued to be in a renewal area.

(8)The powers conferred by this section are without prejudice to any power which a local housing authority may have under or by virtue of any other enactment.

Textual Amendments

94 Power to apply for orders extinguishing right to use vehicles on highway.E+W

(1)A local housing authority who have declared a renewal area may exercise the powers of a local planning authority under [F347sections 249 and 250 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990] (extinguishment of right to use vehicles on certain highways) with respect to a highway in that area notwithstanding that they are not the local planning authority, but subject to the following provisions.

(2)The local housing authority shall not make an application under [F348subsection (2) or subsection (6) of section 249] (application to Secretary of State to make or revoke order extinguishing right to use vehicles) except with the consent of the local planning authority.

(3)If the local housing authority are not also the highway authority, any such application made by them shall in the first place be sent to the highway authority who shall transmit it to the Secretary of State.

(4)Where an order under [F349subsection (2) of section 249] (order extinguishing right to use vehicles) has been made on an application made by a local housing authority by virtue of this section, any compensation under [F349subsection (1) of section 250] (compensation for loss of access to highway) is payable by them instead of by the local planning authority.

Textual Amendments

F347Words substituted by Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act1990 (c. 11, SIF 123: 1, 2), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 84(a)

F348Words substituted by Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act1990 (c. 11, SIF 123: 1, 2), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 84(b)

F349Words substituted by Planning (Consequential Provisions) Act1990 (c. 11, SIF 123: 1, 2), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 84(c)

95 Exclusion of land from, or termination of, renewal area.E+W

(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, a local housing authority may by resolution—

(a)exclude land from a renewal area; or

(b)declare that an area shall cease to be a renewal area;

and as soon as may be after passing such a resolution the authority shall take the steps required by [F350subsection (5)] below.

[F351(2)Before exercising any power under subsection (1) above, an authority shall take such steps as appear to the authority best designed to secure—

(a)that the proposed exclusion or cessation, as the case may be, is brought to the attention of persons residing or owning property in the area; and

(b)that those persons are informed of the name and address of the person to whom should be addressed representations concerning the proposed exclusion or cessation.]

(3)F352. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)F352. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)The authority shall take such F353. . . steps as appear to them best designed to secure that the resolution is brought to the attention of persons residing or owning property in the renewal area.

(6)A resolution under subsection (1) above has effect from the day on which it is passed.

(7)A resolution under subsection (1) above does not affect the continued operation of the provisions of this Part, or any other enactment relating to renewal areas, in relation to works begun before the date on which the exclusion or cessation takes effect; but the resolution does have effect with respect to works which have not been begun before that date, notwithstanding that expenditure in respect of the works has been approved before that date.

Textual Amendments

96 Contributions by the Secretary of State.E+W

(1)The Secretary of State may pay contributions to local housing authorities towards such expenditure incurred by them under this Part as he may determine.

(2)The rate or rates of the contributions, the calculation of the expenditureto which they relate and the manner of their payment shall be such as may be determined by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury; and any determination under this subsection or subsection (1) above may be made generally, or with respect to a particular local housing authority ordescription of authority, including a description framed by reference to authorities in a particular area.

(3)Contributions under this section shall be payable subject to such conditions as to records, certificates, audit or otherwise as the Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, impose.

(4)If, before the declaration of a renewal area, a local housing authority are satisfied that the rate of contributions which, in accordance with a determination under subsection (2) above, would otherwise be applicable to the authority will not be adequate, bearing in mind the action they propose to take with regard to the area, they may, before making the declaration, apply to the Secretary of State for contributions at a higher rate in respect of that area.

(5)An application under subsection (4) above shall be made in such form and shall contain such particulars as the Secretary of State may determine; and, if such an application is made, the authority shall not declare the area concerned to be a renewal area until the application is approved, refused or withdrawn.

(6)If an application under subsection (4) above is approved, the Secretary of State may pay contributions under subsection (1) above in respect of the area concerned at such higher rate as he may determine under subsection (2)above.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C214S. 96 amended (28.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 54

97 Powers of entry and penalty for obstruction.E+W

(1)A person authorised by the local housing authority or the Secretary of State may at any reasonable time, on giving not less than seven days’ notice of his intention to the occupier, and to the owner if the owner is known, enter premises—

(a)for the purpose of survey and examination where it appears to the authority or the Secretary of State that survey or examination is necessary in order to determine whether any powers under this Part should be exercised;or

(b)for the purpose of survey or valuation where the authority are authorised by this Part to acquire the premises compulsorily.

[F354(1A)A person may not be authorised by a local housing authority under subsection (1)(a) to enter and survey or value land in connection with a proposal to acquire an interest in or a right over land (but see section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016).]

(2)An authorisation for the purposes of this section—

(a)shall be in writing stating the particular purpose or purposes for which the entry is authorised; and

(b)shall, if so required, be produced for inspection by the occupier or anyone acting on his behalf.

(3)It is a summary offence intentionally to obstruct an officer of the local housing authority or of the Secretary of State, or a person authorised to enter premises under subsection (1) above, in the performance of anything which that officer, authority or person is by this Part required or authorised to do.

(4)A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) above is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5)In this section “owner”, in relation to premises,—

(a)means a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who is for the time being entitled to dispose of the fee simple in the premises, whether in possession or reversion, and

(b)includes also a person holding or entitled to the rents and profits of the premises under a lease of which the unexpired term exceeds three years.

Textual Amendments

98 Part VIII of Housing Act 1985.E+W

(1)The provisions of this Part have effect in place of Part VIII of the M79Housing Act 1985 (housing action areas and general improvement areas) and, accordingly, after the appointed day, a local housing authority shall no longer have power under that Part to declare an area a housing action area or a general improvement area.

(2)If, apart from this subsection, a general improvement area would remainin existence on the first anniversary of the appointed day, the area shall, by virtue of this section cease to be a general improvement area on that first anniversary.

(3)In any case where, immediately before the appointed day, the period for which a housing action area has effect exceeds two years, the duration of that area shall, by virtue of this section, be such that, subject to subsection (4) below, it ends on the first anniversary of the appointed day.

(4)Nothing in subsection (3) above affects the power of a local housing authority,—

(a)by resolution under section 250(1)(b) of the Housing Act 1985, to bring a housing action area to an end; or

(b)by resolution under section 251 of that Act, to extend, on one occasion only, the duration of a housing action area by a period of two years.

(5)In the application of section 245 of the Housing Act 1985 (contributions by Secretary of State towards expenditure of local housing authorities relating to environmental works in housing action areas) in relation to expenditure—

(a)which was incurred on or after 14th June 1989, and

(b)in respect of which no contribution under that section was paid before the appointed day,

for subsection (2) of that section there shall be substituted the following subsection—

“(2)In the case of any expenditure, the contribution—

(a)shall be equal to one-half of the amount of the expenditure; and

(b)shall be payable in one sum or by two or more instalments, according as the Secretary of State may determine.”

(6)In the application of section 259 of the Housing Act 1985 (contributions by Secretary of State towards expenditure of local housing authorities relating to general improvement areas) in relation to expenditure—

(a)which was incurred on or after 14th June 1989, and

(b)in respect of which no contribution under that section was paid before the appointed day,

for subsection (2) of that section there shall be substituted the following subsection—

“(2)In the case of any expenditure, the contribution—

(a)shall be equal to one-half of the amount of the expenditure; and

(b)shall be payable in one sum or by two or more instalments, according as the Secretary of State may determine.”

(7)In the preceding provisions of this section “the appointed day” means the day appointed for the coming into force of this section.

Marginal Citations

99 Directions and guidance.E+W

Any power under this Part to give F355. . . guidance may be so exercised as to make different provision for different cases, different descriptions of cases and different areas and, in particular, with respect to different local housing authorities or descriptions of authority (including a description framed by reference to authorities in a particular area).

Textual Amendments

100 Interpretation of Part VII.E+W

(1)In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires,—

  • “dwelling” means a building or part of a building occupied or intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling, together with any yard, garden, outhouses and appurtenances belonging to or usually enjoyed with it;

  • [F356“house in multiple occupation” means a house in multiple occupation as defined by sections 254 to 259 of the Housing Act 2004, as they have effect for the purposes of Part 1 of that Act (that is, without the exclusions contained in Schedule 14 to that Act), but does not include any part of such a house which is occupied as a separate dwelling by persons who form a single household;]

  • “housing accommodation” means dwellings, houses in multiple occupation and hostels;

  • “local housing authority” and any reference to the district of such an authority shall be construed in accordance with sections 1 and 2 of the Housing Act 1985.

(2)Part XVII of the Housing Act 1985 (compulsory purchase and land compensation) applies in relation to this Part as if it were contained in that Act.

Textual Amendments

F356Words in s. 100 substituted (6.4.2006 for E., 16.6.2006 for W.) by Housing Act 2004 (c. 34), s. 270(4)(5)(f), Sch. 15 para. 34; S.I. 2006/1060, art. 2(1)(d) (with Sch.); S.I. 2006/1535, art. 2(b) (with Sch.)

F357Part VIIIE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F357Pt. VIII (ss. 101-138) repealed (17.12.1996) by 1996 c. 53, s. 147, Sch. 3 Pt. I; S.I. 1996/2842, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in arts. 5, 8)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C215Pt. VIII (ss. 101-138) excluded (17.12.1996) by 1996 c. 53, s. 102(1)(2); S.I. 1996/2842, art. 3

Part IXE+W+S Miscellaneous and General

Local Government Finance Act 1988, local finance (Scotland) and block grantsE+W+S

139 Local Government Finance Act 1988: amendments.E+W

Schedule 5 to this Act (which amends the M102Local Government Finance Act 1988) shall have effect.

Marginal Citations

F371140 Scottish non-domestic rates: interim provisions.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F371Ss. 140-144 repealed (1.4.1993 for the repeal of ss. 140 and 141, 26.3.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 119(2), Sch. 14; S.I. 1993/575, art. 2(d), Sch.; S.S.I. 2015/59, art. 2

F371141. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F371Ss. 140-144 repealed (1.4.1993 for the repeal of ss. 140 and 141, 26.3.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 119(2), Sch. 14; S.I. 1993/575, art. 2(d), Sch.; S.S.I. 2015/59, art. 2

F371142 Powers to vary incidence of standard community charge: Scotland.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F371Ss. 140-144 repealed (1.4.1993 for the repeal of ss. 140 and 141, 26.3.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 119(2), Sch. 14; S.I. 1993/575, art. 2(d), Sch.; S.S.I. 2015/59, art. 2

F371143 Reduced liability for personal community charges: Scotland.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F371Ss. 140-144 repealed (1.4.1993 for the repeal of ss. 140 and 141, 26.3.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 119(2), Sch. 14; S.I. 1993/575, art. 2(d), Sch.; S.S.I. 2015/59, art. 2

F371144 Community charge grants: Scotland.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F371Ss. 140-144 repealed (1.4.1993 for the repeal of ss. 140 and 141, 26.3.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 119(2), Sch. 14; S.I. 1993/575, art. 2(d), Sch.; S.S.I. 2015/59, art. 2

145 Amendment of Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 andother enactments: Scotland.E+W+S

Schedule 6 to this Act (which amends the M103Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 and other enactments) shall have effect.

Marginal Citations

F372146. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F372S. 146 repealed (1.4.1993) by Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14), s. 117(2), Sch.14 (with s. 118(1)(2)(4)); S.I. 1992/2454 art.3 (with saving in art. 4) and subject to an amendment (28.11.1194) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 40

F373147 Adjustment of block grant.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F374148 Rate support grant, 1985/86.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

149 Statutory references to rating.E+W

(1)In the case of a provision which is made by or under any enactment and refers to a rate or a rateable value or any other factor connected with rating, the Secretary of State may make regulations—

(a)providing that the reference shall instead be to some other factor (whether or not connected with rating); or

(b)providing for the factor to be amended (whether by limiting its operation or in any other way);

and this section shall have effect in place of section 119 of the M104Local Government Finance Act 1988.

(2)Regulations under this section—

(a)may make provision in such manner as the Secretary of State thinks fit (whether by amending provisions or otherwise);

(b)may provide for a factor expressed by reference to valuation, rent, a premium, the length of a lease, anything connected with rating, or any other matter whatever;

(c)may provide for a factor expressed by reference to a combination of matters (whether expressed in terms of a formula or otherwise);

(d)may provide for a factor which includes a method of adjustment (whether by reference to indexation or otherwise);

(e)may make provision with respect to the resolution of disputes (whether by a court or otherwise); and

(f)may contain such supplementary, incidental, consequential or transitional provisions as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient.

(3)A factor expressed by reference to rent may be by reference to ground rent, rent of premises at a market rate, rent as limited by law, or otherwise.

(4)Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the power conferred by section 14 of the M105Interpretation Act 1978 to revoke, amend or vary regulations previously made under this section.

(5)In this section “enactment” means an enactment contained in Schedule 10 to this Act, or in any other Act whether passed before or in the same Session as this Act; and for this purpose “Act” includes a private or local Act.

(6)Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by this section, section 37 of the M106Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (which provides for compensation by reference to rateable values) shall be amended in accordance with Schedule 7 to this Act.

Marginal Citations

Charges by certain authoritiesE+W+S

150 Power to allow charges.E+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may make regulations providing that a charge may be imposed in respect of anything—

(a)which is done by any relevant authority or by any relevant authority of a prescribed description,

(b)which is prescribed or falls within a prescribed description,

(c)in respect of which there is no power or duty to impose a charge apart from the regulations, and

(d)which is not done in the course of exercising an excepted function.

(2)The regulations may include such provision as the Secretary of State sees fit as regards charges for which the regulations provide; and nothing in subsections (3) to (5) below or section 190(1) below is to prejudice this.

(3)The regulations—

(a)may be made as regards services rendered, documents issued, or any other thing done by an authority (whether in pursuance of a power or a duty);

(b)may provide that the amount of a charge (if imposed) is to be at the authority’s discretion or to be at its discretion subject to a maximum.

(4)Where the regulations provide that a charge may not exceed a maximum amount they may—

(a)provide for one amount, or a scale of amounts to cover different prescribed cases;

(b)prescribe, as regards any amount, a sum or a method of calculating the amount.

(5)The regulations may include such supplementary, incidental, consequential or transitional provisions as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient.

(6)No regulations may be made under this section unless a draft of them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

151 Power to amend provisions about charges.E+W+S

(1)Subject to subsection (4) below, this section applies in the case of an existing provision to the extent that the provision allows (as opposed to requires) a charge to be imposed in respect of anything which is done by relevant authorities (or any of them) and which is not done in the course of exercising an excepted function.

(2)The Secretary of State may make regulations—

(a)repealing the provision concerned to the extent that it so provides,

(b)amending the provision to that extent, or

(c)repealing the provision to that extent and replacing it with new provisions;

and subsection (6) of section 150 above applies in relation to regulations under this section as it applies in relation to regulations under that section.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (1) above—

(a)the charge may be expressed in terms of making a charge, paying a fee, or otherwise;

(b)the charge may relate to services rendered, documents issued, or any other thing done by a relevant authority (whether in pursuance of a power or a duty).

(4)A charge does not fall within subsection (1) above if—

(a)it is one whose proceeds fall (or part of whose proceeds falls) to be paid into the Consolidated Fund; [F375or

(b)it is a charge amounting to local taxation.]

(5)Regulations under subsection (2) above may not require the imposition of a charge; and subsection (6) below shall have effect subject to this.

(6)The regulations may include such provision as the Secretary of State sees fit as regards charges; and nothing in subsections (7) to (9) below or section 190(1) below is to prejudice this.

(7)The regulations may provide that the amount of a charge (if imposed) is to be at the authority’s discretion or to be at its discretion subject to a maximum.

(8)Where the regulations provide that a charge may not exceed a maximum amount they may—

(a)provide for one amount, or a scale of amounts to cover different prescribed cases;

(b)prescribe, as regards any amount, a sum or a method of calculating the amount.

(9)The regulations—

(a)may confer discretion as to the amount in a case where an existing provision confers none (or vice versa);

(b)may, in a case where an existing provision confers a discretion as to the amount, confer a different one; and

(c)may include such supplementary, incidental, consequential or transitional provisions as appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient.

(10)For the purposes of this section an existing provision is a provision of an Act passed before, or in the same Session as, this Act.

(11)In this section “Act” includes a private or local Act.

Textual Amendments

F375S. 151(4)(b) and word substituted (S.) (1.4.1996) for s. 151(4)(b)(c) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(10) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C219S. 151 extended (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 65(7), 125(2), Sch. 8 para. 11 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

S. 151 amended (1.4.2001 for E. and 1.5.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, s. 87(6), Sch. 14 para. 7 (with s. 84(4)-(6)); S.I. 2001/114, art. 2(2)(e); S.I. 2001/1410, art. 2(g)

152 Interpretation, consultation and commencement of ss. 150 and 151.E+W+S

(1)For the purposes of sections 150 and 151 above the following are excepted functions—

(a)functions relating to education in schools;

(b)functions relating to the provision of a public library service;

(c)functions relating to fire fighting, that is to say, the extinction of fire and the protection of life and property in case of fire;

(d)functions relating to the registration of electors;

(e)functions relating to the conduct of elections;

F376(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)For the purposes of those sections in their application to England and Wales, each of the following is a relevant authority—

(a)a county council;

[F377(aa)a county borough council;]

(b)a district council;

(c)a London borough council;

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

(e)the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

[F378(f)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;]

[F379(fa)a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of that Act;]

F380(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h)an authority established under section 10 of the M107Local Government Act 1985 (waste disposal authorities);

(i)a joint authority established by Part IV of that Act [F381(fire and rescue services and transport)];

[F382(iza)an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;

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

[F383(izc)a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023;]

F384(ia). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(j)an authority or board constituted a port health authority at any time by an order under section 2 of the M108Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984;

[F385(ja)a National Park authority];

[F386(jb)a conservation board established by order under section 86 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000;]

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

(l)the Broads Authority; F387...

[F388(m)a joint planning board constituted for an area in Wales outside a National Park by an order under section 2(1B) of the M109Town and Country Planning Act 1990];

[F389(n)the London Fire Commissioner.]

(3)For the purposes of those sections in their application to Scotland, each of the following is a relevant authority—

[F390(a)a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994],

F391(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F392(e)a joint board or joint committee within the meaning of section 235(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.]

(4)The Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument provide for any other body to be, or for a body to cease to be, a relevant authority for the purposes of those sections; and a statutory instrument containing an order under this subsection shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5)In those sections “prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations concerned.

(6)Before exercising any power to make regulations under section 150 or section 151 above, the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a)as respects England and Wales, such representatives of local government, and

(b)as respects Scotland, such associations of local authorities,

as appear to him to be appropriate.

(7)This section and sections 150 and 151 above shall come into force at the expiry of the period of two months beginning on the day this Act is passed.

Textual Amendments

F376S. 152(1)(f) repealed (1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, ss. 43, 93, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 41, Sch. 9 Pt. 1; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4 Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in art. 5(2)-(8))

F377S. 152(2)(aa) inserted (7.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3071, art. 2, Sch. para. 3(7)

F378S. 152(2)(f) substituted (1.10.2004 except in relation to W., 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 1 para. 71(4); S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2; S.I. 2004/2917, art. 2

F379S. 152(2)(fa) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 65; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F380S. 152(2)(g) repealed (1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, ss. 43, 93, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 41, Sch. 9 Pt. 1; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4 Sch. (subject to transitional provision in art. 5(2)-(8))

F385S. 152(2)(ja) inserted (19.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, ss. 65(7), 125(2), Sch. 8 para. 11 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7)

F386S. 152(2)(jb) inserted (1.4.2001 for E. and 1.5.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 37, s. 87(6), Sch. 14 para. 7 (with s. 84(4)-(6)); S.I. 2001/114, art. 2(2)(e); S.I. 2001/1410, art. 2(g)

F387S. 152(2)(l) word repealed (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 423, Sch. 34 Pt. 8 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4(i)

F388S. 152(2)(m) and word “and” immediately preceding it inserted (23.11.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 78, Sch. 10 para. 31(4) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117, Sch. 8 para. 7); S.I. 1995/2950, art. 2

F389S. 152(2)(n) substituted (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. 90; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F390S. 152(3)(a) substituted (1.4.1996) for paras. (a)(b)(c) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(11)(a) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

F392 S. 152(3)(e) and the word “and” immediately preceding it substituted (1.4.1996) for paras. (e)(f) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(11)(b) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

Marginal Citations

153 Charges: temporary traffic signs.E+W+S

(1)In section 65 of the M110Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (powers and duties of highways authorities and roads authorities as to placing of traffic signs) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(3A)No charge may be made—

(a)in England and Wales, by a highway authority which is the council of acounty, metropolitan district or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London, or

(b)in Scotland, by a local roads authority,

with respect to the exercise of their power under subsection (1) above to permit a traffic sign to be placed on or near any road in their area if—

(i)the sign conveys information of a temporary nature or is otherwise intended to be placed only temporarily; and

(ii)the sign is to be placed by a body which is prescribed for the purposes of this subsection as being a body appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of the interests of road users or any class of road users.”

(2)Subsection (1) above does not apply in any case where, before this section comes into force, the payment of a charge has been agreed.

Marginal Citations

154 Charges: library services.E+W

(1)For subsections (2) to (5) of section 8 of the M111Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 (exceptions to restrictions on charging for library facilities) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

“(2)Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, the Minister may by regulations—

(a)authorise library authorities to make charges for such library facilities made available by them as may be specified in the regulations; and

(b)make such provision as regards charges by library authorities for library facilities, other than provision requiring the making of charges, as he thinks fit.

(3)Nothing in any regulations under this section shall authorise any charges to be made by a library authority for lending any written material to any person where—

(a)it is the duty of the authority under section 7(1) above to make facilities for borrowing available to that person;

(b)the material is lent in the course of providing such facilities to that person on any library premises;

(c)the material is lent in a form in which it is readable without the use ofany electronic or other apparatus; and

(d)that person is not a person who has required any such apparatus to be used, or made available to him, for putting the material into such a form in order that he may borrow it;

but this subsection shall not prevent any regulations under this section from authorising the making of charges in respect of the use of any facility for the reservation of written materials or in respect of borrowed materials which are returned late or in a damaged condition.

(4)Nothing in any regulations under this section shall authorise any charges to be made by a library authority for making facilities available for any person to do any of the following on any library premises, that is to say—

(a)reading the whole or any part of any of the written materials for the time being held by the authority in a form in which they are readable without the use of any electronic or other apparatus or in microform;

(b)consulting (whether or not with the assistance of any such apparatus or of any person) such catalogues, indexes or similar articles as are maintained, in any form whatever, exclusively for the purposes of that authority’s public library service.

(5)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, the power to make regulations under this section shall include power—

(a)to confer a discretion as to the amount of any charge made under theregulations;

(b)to provide for such a discretion to be exercisable subject to such maximum amount or scale of maximum amounts as may be specified in or determined under the regulations;

(c)to require library authorities to take such steps as may be specified or described in the regulations for making the amounts of their charges for library facilities known to the public;

(d)to make such other incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Minister thinks necessary or expedient; and

(e)to make different provision for different cases, including different provision in relation to different persons, circumstances or localities.

(5A)The power to make regulations under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument; and no regulations may be made under this section unless a draft of them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.”

(2)After subsection (6) of that section there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(7)In this section—

  • “library premises” means—

    (a)

    any premises which are occupied by a library authority and are premises where library facilities are made available by the authority, in the course of their provision of a public library service, to members of the public;

    (b)

    any vehicle which is used by a library authority for the purpose of providing such a service and is a vehicle in which facilities are so made available;

  • “the Minister” means—

    (a)

    in relation to library authorities whose areas are in England, the Lord President of the Council; and

    (b)

    in relation to library authorities whose areas are in Wales, the Secretary of State;

    and

  • “written material” means—

    (a)

    any book, journal, pamphlet or other similar article; or

    (b)

    any reprographic copy (within the meaning of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988) of any article falling within paragraph (a) above or any other reproduction of such an article made by any means whatever.”

(3)This section shall come into force on such day as the Lord President of the Council and the Secretary of State, acting jointly, may by order made by statutory instrument appoint; and different days may be so appointed for different provisions or for different purposes.

Commencement Information

I7S. 154 wholly in force at 01. 01. 1992 see S.I. 1991/2940, art. 2

Marginal Citations

Miscellaneous local government provisionsE+W+S

155 Emergency financial assistance to local authorities.E+W+S

(1)In any case where—

(a)an emergency or disaster occurs involving destruction of or danger to life or property, and

(b)as a result, one or more local authorities incur expenditure on, or in connection with, the taking of immediate action (whether by the carrying out of works or otherwise) to safeguard life or property, or to prevent suffering or severe inconvenience, in their area or among its inhabitants,

the Secretary of State may establish a scheme under this section for the giving of financial assistance to those authorities in respect of that expenditure.

[F393(1A)Expenditure incurred as mentioned in subsection (1) above by—

[F394(a)the London Fire Commissioner,]

[F395(b)the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, or]

(c)Transport for London, in respect of places or areas within Greater London,

shall be treated for the purposes of this section as expenditure so incurred by the Greater London Authority (and, accordingly, as so incurred by a local authority).

(1B)To the extent that any financial assistance given to the Greater London Authority under this section is referable to expenditure incurred by a body mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1A) above, the financial assistance shall be treated for the purposes of section 103 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 as a payment made to the Greater London Authority for the purposes of that body.]

(2)Financial assistance given pursuant to a scheme under this section shall take the form of grants paid by the Secretary of State with the consent of theTreasury and, subject to that, the terms and conditions of a scheme shall be such as the Secretary of State considers appropriate to the circumstances of the particular emergency or disaster concerned.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, a scheme under this section may—

(a)make the payment of grants conditional upon the making of claims of a description specified in the scheme;

(b)make provision with respect to the expenditure qualifying for grant and the rates and amounts of grants;

(c)make provision in certain specified circumstances for the repayment of any grant, in whole or in part; and

(d)make different provision for different local authorities or descriptions of authority and for different areas.

(4)In the application of this section to England and Wales, any reference to a local authority is a reference to—

(a)a county council;

[F396(aa)a county borough council;]

(b)a district council;

[F397(bb)the Greater London Authority;]

(c)a London borough council;

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

(e)the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

[F398(ea)a police and crime commissioner;]

(eb)F399. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F400(f)the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District; or]

(g)a joint authority established by Part IV of the M112Local Government Act 1985, other than [F401an Integrated Transport Authority]; F402...

[F403(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];

[F404(ha)a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of that Act;]

[F405(i)a National Park authority; or]

[F405(j)the Broads Authority.]

(5)In the application of this section to Scotland, any reference to a local authority is a reference to

  • [F406a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]

  • F407... a joint board or joint committee within the meaning of the M113Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

(6)The reference in subsection (1)(b) above to expenditure incurred by a local authority includes, in the case of an authority in England and Wales, expenditure incurred in defraying, or contributing towards defraying, expenditure incurred by a parish or community council.

(7)This section shall come into force on 1st April 1990.

Textual Amendments

F393S. 155(1A)(1B) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 104(1)(2) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3434, art. 4

F394S. 155(1A)(a) substituted (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. 91; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F395S. 155(1A)(b) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), ss. 27(2), 157(1); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1 and the words “Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime” also expressed to be substituted for the words “Metropolitan Police Authority” in s. 155(1A)(b) (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 206(2); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F396S. 155(4)(aa) inserted (7.1.1997) by S.I. 1996/3071, art. 2 Sch. para. 3(8)

F397S. 155(4)(bb) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 104(1)(3)(a) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3434, art. 4

F399S. 155(4)(eb) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 128(1), 137, Sch. 6 Pt. II para. 53(b), Sch. 7 Pt. V(1); S.I. 2002/344, art. 3 (with transitional provisions in art. 4)

F400S. 155(4)(f) ceased to have effect (3.7.2000) by virtue of 1999 c. 29, s. 104(1)(3)(c) (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 1999/3434, art. 4

F403S. 155(4)(h) substituted (1.10.2004 except in relation to W., 10.11.2004 for W.) by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), s. 61, Sch. 1 para. 71(5); S.I. 2004/2304, art. 2; S.I. 2004/2917, art. 2

F404S. 155(4)(ha) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 66; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F406S. 155(5) words substituted (1.4.1996) for paras. (a)(b)(c) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(12)(a) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)(d)

F407S. 155(5): letter “(d)” repealed (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(12)(b), Sch. 14 (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C220S. 155 amended (28.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 41

S. 155 power to deal with matters of the kind dealt with in this part conferred (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 50, s. 44(1), Sch. 4 para. (j)(iv); S.I. 1997/1930, art. 2(m)

Marginal Citations

156 Contingency planning and co-ordination in respect of emergencies ordisasters.E+W

(1)In section 138 of the M114Local Government Act 1972 (powers of principal councils with respect to emergencies or disasters) after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A)If a principal council are of the opinion that it is appropriate to undertake contingency planning to deal with a possible emergency or disaster which, if it occurred,—

(a)would involve destruction of or danger to life or property, and

(b)would be likely to affect the whole or part of their area,

they may incur such expenditure as they consider necessary on that planning (whether relating to a specific kind of such possible emergency or disaster or generally in relation to possible emergencies or disasters falling within paragraphs (a) and (b) above).”

(2)In subsection (3) of that section—

(a)for the words from the beginning to “authorise” there shall be substituted “ Nothing in this section authorises ”; and

(b)for the words “the power conferred by that subsection is” there shall be substituted “ the powers conferred by subsections (1) and (1A) above are ”.

(3)At the end of the section there shall be added the following subsections—

“(5)With the consent of the Secretary of State, a metropolitan county fire and civil defence authority and the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority may incur expenditure in co-ordinating planning by principal councils in connection with their functions under subsection (1) above.

(6)In this section “contingency planning” means the making, keeping under review and revising of plans and the carrying out of training associated with the plans.”

Marginal Citations

157 Commutation of, and interest on, periodic payments of grants etc.E+W+S

(1)In any case where, by virtue of any enactment, the Secretary of State has a power or duty to make to a local authority any annual or other periodic payments by way of contribution, grant or subsidy towards expenditure incurred or to be incurred by the local authority, the Secretary of State—

(a)may determine to commute any such payments which would otherwise fall due on or after 1st April 1990 either into a single payment or into such number of payments (being less than would otherwise be payable) as he considers appropriate; and

(b)may, if he thinks it appropriate, pay to the [F408Treasury, in respect of local loans made under section 3 of the National Loans Act 1968] the whole or any part of any single or other payment determined under paragraph (a) above so as to reduce or extinguish such debt (whether then due or not) of the local authority to [F409the Treasury] as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(2)The amount required to reduce or extinguish a debt as mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above shall be such as may be determined by the [F410Treasury] and where, by virtue of that paragraph, only part of a commuted payment is paid to [F411the Treasury], the balance shall be paid to the local authority concerned.

(3)Subsection (1) above applies whether the annual or other periodic payments began, or would otherwise begin, before, on or after the passing of this Act and applies notwithstanding anything in any enactment requiring the paymentsto be made over a period of twenty years or any other specified period.

(4)A single or other payment falling to be made by virtue of subsection (1) above is in this section referred to as a “commuted payment” and the calculation of the amount of any commuted payment shall be such as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(5)In any case where the amount of any annual or other periodic payment such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above is, at the passing of this Act, calculated by reference to a rate of interest which varies from time to time, the Secretary of State may substitute a fixed rate of interest.

(6)In this section “local authority”, as respects England and Wales, means any of the following—

(a)a county council;

[F412(aa)a county borough council;]

(b)a district council;

(c)a London borough council;

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

(e)the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

(f)the Metropolitan Police Athority;

[F413(g)a police authority established under [F414section 3 of the M115Police Act 1996];]

(ga)F415. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h)a joint authority established by Part IV of the M116Local Government Act 1985; and

(i)a residuary body established under Part VII of that Act;

[F416(j)an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009; F417...

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

[F418(l)a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023;]

and, as respects Scotland, means a [F419a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]or a joint board or joint committee within the meaning of section 235(1) of the M117Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

(7)If, after a commuted payment has been made to a local authority or to the [F420Treasury], it appears to the Secretary of State that the payment was smaller or greater than it should have been (whether by virtue of a miscalculation, the occurrence of any event, the failure to comply with any condition or otherwise) the Secretary of State may, as the case may require,—

(a)make a further payment to the authority concerned or to [F421the Treasury]; or

(b)require the repayment or payment to him by that authority of such sum as he may direct.

(8)Without prejudice to the operation of the preceding provisions of this section, with respect to—

(a)any contribution in respect of an expense incurred on or after 1st April 1990; and

[F422(b)so much of any contributions in respect of an expense incurred on or after 1st April 1989 and before 1st April 1990 as have not been made before 1st April 1990]

section 569 of the M118Housing Act 1985 (contribution by Secretary of State to certain expenses incurred by local housing authorities) shall be amended as follows -

(i)in subsection (2) (which relates to contributions as annual payments) for the words following “shall be” there shall be substituted the words “ equal to the relevant percentage of the amount of the expense incurred ”;and

(ii)subsection (5) (which relates to annual loan charges) shall cease to have effect.

(9)Without prejudice to the generality of section 230 of the M119Local Government Act M1201972 or section 235(1) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (local authorities’ duty to make reports and returns to the Secretary of State), every local authority and the Inner London Education Authority shall furnish to the Secretary of State such information as he may by notice in writing reasonably require for the purposes of this section and, if the notice so specifies, any such information shall be certified and audited in such manner and supplied not later than such dateand in such form as may be so specified.

(10)Nothing in this section applies in relation to any payments to which, under Part IV of Schedule 15 to the Housing Act 1985 (superseded contributions etc.: town development subsidy), provision already exists for the commutation of payments.

Textual Amendments

F412S. 157(6)(aa) inserted (7.1.1997) by S.I. 1997/3071, art. 2, Sch. para. 3(9)

F413S. 157(6)(g) substituted (1.10.1994 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 43, Sch. 4 Pt. 1 para. 43; S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch. (subject to art. 5)

F414Words in s. 157(6)(g) substituted (22.8.1996) by 1996 c. 16, ss. 103, 104(1), Sch. 7 Pt. 1 para. 1(2)(zd)

F415S. 157(6)(ga) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 128(1), 137, Sch. 6 Pt. 2 para. 54, Sch. 7 Pt. 5; S.I. 2002/344, art. 3 (with transitional provision in art. 4)

F419Words in s. 157(6) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(13) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

F422S. 157(8)(b) substituted (E.W.) (retrospective to 1.1.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 138(1)(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C223S. 157 amended (28.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 42(1)(a)

S. 157 extended (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 39, 66(2)(b), Sch. 13 para. 20(n) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2))

S. 157 power to apply conferred (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 50, s. 44(1), Sch. 4 para. (j)(v); S.I. 1997/1930, art. 2(m)

C224S. 157(1) amended (28.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 42(3)(a)

C225S. 157(1)(b) amended (28.11.1994) by S.I. 1994/2825, reg. 42(3)(b)

Marginal Citations

158 Electronic transfer of documents.E+W

(1)In subsection (2) of section 9 of the M121Local Land Charges Act 1975, the words “A requisition under this section must be in writing, and” shall be omitted.

(2)In subsection (2) of section 14 of that Act after the word “include” there shall be inserted “ (a) ”, and at the end of that subsection there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

“(b)power to make rules providing for the use of electronic means in the making of requisitions for, and in the issue of, official search certificates, notwithstanding subsection (3) of section 231 of the Local Government Act 1972 (service of documents on local authorities) provided that—

(i)such rules shall not provide that a requisition is duly made by electronic means, except where the local authority to whom it is made consents to the useof those means, or that an official search certificate is duly issued by electronic means, except where the person requiring the search consents to the use of those means; and

(ii)such consent may be given either generally or in relation to a specified document or description of documents, and either before or after the making of the requisition or the issue of the certificate; and

(c)power to make rules modifying the application of sections 10 and 11 abovein cases where—

(i)the rules provide for the making of a requisition for, or the issuing of,an official search certificate by electronic means, and

(ii)there has been any error or failure in those means.”

Marginal Citations

159 Prevention of continuance or recurrence of default of local authority: Scotland.E+W+S

(1)Section 211 of the M122Local Government (Scotland) Act1973 (provision for default of local authority) shall be amended in accordance with this section.

(2)After subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsections—

“(2A)If the Secretary of State or appropriate Minister—

(a)is about to make an order under subsection (2) above; and

(b)is satisfied that the failure to which the order relates has continued or recurred,

he may, in that order and without any local inquiry, declare theauthority to be in default in respect of the continuance or recurrence of the failure and direct them for the purpose of remedying the default to take such steps and within such time or times as may be specified in the order.

(2B)The Secretary of State or appropriate Minister may, in an order undersubsection (2) above, notify the local authority that any continuance or recurrence of the failure in respect of which the authority have been declared to be in default happening after the date of the order may be made the subject of an application to the Court of Session under subsection (3A) below.”

(3)After subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(3A)If—

(a)a local authority have been notified under subsection (2B) above; and

(b)there has been any such continuance or recurrence as is mentioned in that subsection of the failure to which the notification relates,

the Court of Session may, on the application of the Lord Advocate onbehalf of the Secretary of State or appropriate Minister, order specific performance of the functions in respect of which there has been such continuance or recurrence of the failure and do otherwise as to the court appears to be just.”

Marginal Citations

F423160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F423S. 160 omitted (7.1.1997) by virtue of S.I. 1996/3071, art. 2, Sch. para. 3(10)

Miscellaneous housing provisionsE+W+S

161 Housing authorities not required to keep a housing stock.E+W+S

(1)At the end of section 9 of the M123Housing Act 1985 (provision of housing accommodation) there shall be added the following subsection—

“(5)Nothing in this Act shall be taken to require (or to have at any time required) a local housing authority itself to acquire or hold any houses or other land for the purposes of this Part.”

(2)At the end of section 2 of the M124Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (powers of local authorities to provide housing accommodation) there shall be added the following subsection—

“(6)Nothing in this Act shall be taken to require (or to have at any time required) a local authority itself to acquire or hold any houses or other land for the purposes of this Part.”

Marginal Citations

162 Determination of rents.E+W

In section 24 of the Housing Act 1985 (rents), there shall be added at the end the following subsections—

“(3)In exercising their functions under this section, a local housing authority shall have regard in particular to the principle that the rents of houses of any class or description should bear broadly the same proportion to private sector rents as the rents of houses of any other class or description.

(4)In subsection (3) “private sector rents”, in relation to houses of any classor description, means the rents which would be recoverable if they were let on assured tenancies within the meaning of the Housing Act 1988 by a person other than the authority.”

163 Exchanges between secure and assured tenants.E+W

(1)Section 92 of the Housing Act 1985 (assignment of secure tenancies by way of exchange) shall be amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3) below.

(2)At the end of subsection (1) there shall be added the words “ or to anassured tenant who satisfies the conditions in subsection (2A) ”.

(3)After subsection (2) there shall be inserted the followingsubsection—

“(2A)The conditions to be satisfied with respect to an assured tenant are—

(a)that the landlord under his assured tenancy is either the Housing Corporation, Housing for Wales, a registered housing association or a housing trust which is a charity; and

(b)that he intends to assign his assured tenancy to the secure tenant referred to in subsection (1) or to another secure tenant who satisfies the condition in subsection (2).”

(4)In section 117 of the Housing Act 1985 (index of defined expressions for Part IV) before the entry relating to “cemetery” there shall be inserted—

“ assured tenancy »section 622 ”.

F424164 Exception to the right to buy in case of certain dwelling-houses forpersons of pensionable age.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

165 Unfit housing etc.E+W

(1)In the Housing Act 1985,—

F425(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)Part IX (slum clearance) shall be amended in accordance with Part II of that Schedule;

F426(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)Part XVII (compulsory purchase and land compensation) shall be amended in accordance with Part IV of that Schedule; and

(e)Part XVIII (miscellaneous and general) shall be amended in accordance with Part V of that Schedule.

(2)Part VII of the Housing Act 1985 (improvement notices) shall cease to have effect.

(3)For any financial year beginning after the day appointed for the coming into force of this subsection the following provisions of this section shall have effect in place of sections 312 to 314 of the Housing Act 1985 (slum clearance subsidy); and in those provisions “slum clearance functions” means any of the functions under the provisions of Part IX of that Act relating to—

(a)the demolition, closing or purchase of unfit premises,

(b)the demolition of obstructive buildings, and

(c)clearance areas,

but does not include functions under sections 308 to 311 of that Act (owner’s redevelopment or improvement).

(4)On such conditions as he may determine the Secretary of State may pay slum clearance subsidy to a local housing authority in respect of any financial year for which, applying such method of calculation as may be determined by the Secretary of State, the authority have incurred a loss in connection with the exercise of their slum clearance functions; and the rate or rates of the subsidy and the manner in which it is paid shall be such as may be determined by him.

(5)If for any financial year, applying such method of calculation as is referred to in subsection (4) above, a local housing authority have incurred a surplus in connection with the exercise of their slum clearance functions, the Secretary of State may require the authority to pay to him such sum as he may determine in respect of that surplus, together with interest thereon from such time and at such rate or rates as he may determine.

(6)Any determination of the Secretary of State under subsection (4) or subsection (5) above—

(a)shall be made with the consent of the Treasury;

(b)may be made generally or with respect to a particular local housing authority or description of authority, including a description framed by reference to authorities in a particular area; and

(c)may make different provision for different cases or descriptions of case.

(7)If, before the declaration of a renewal area under Part VII of this Act,a local housing authority are satisfied that the rate of slum clearance subsidy which, in accordance with a determination under subsection (4) above, would otherwise be applicable to the authority will not be adequate, bearing in mind the action they propose to take with regard to the area, they may, before making the declaration, apply to the Secretary of State for a subsidy at a higher rate in respect of that area.

(8)An application under subsection (7) above shall be made in such form and contain such particulars as the Secretary of State may determine; and, if such an application is made, the authority shall not declare the area concerned to be a renewal area until the application is approved, refused or withdrawn.

(9)If an application under subsection (7) above is approved, the Secretary of State may pay slum clearance subsidy in respect of the area concerned at such higher rate as he may determine under subsection (4) above.

Textual Amendments

166 Amendments relating to defective housing.E+W+S

(1)Part XVI of the M125Housing Act 1985 (in this section referred to as “the 1985 Act”) and Part XIV of the M126Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (in this section referred to as “the 1987 Act”) (assistance for owners of defective housing)shall each be amended in accordance with this section.

(2)In section 537 of the 1985 Act and section 265 of the 1987 Act (determination of form of assistance to which applicant is entitled) insubsection (1) after the word “determine” there shall be inserted “ assoon as reasonably practicable ”.

(3)In section 539 of the 1985 Act and section 267 of the 1987 Act (meaning of “work required for reinstatement” etc.) after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A)In any case where—

(a)the most satisfactory way of dealing with the qualifying defect issubstantially to demolish the building that consists of or includes the defective dwelling or a part of that building, and

(b)it is practicable to rebuild the building or part concerned on, or substantially on, its existing foundations and reconstruct the dwelling to the same, or substantially the same, plan,

the work required to carry out those operations shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as work required to reinstate the defective dwelling.”

(4)In section 561 of the 1985 Act and section 289 of the 1987 Act (Secretary of State’s control over designation, variation or revocation)—

(a)in subsection (2) after the word “before” there shall be inserted “ the cut-off date or if it is later ” and after the words “twomonths” there shall be inserted “ or such longer period as the Secretary of State may direct for the purposes of this subsection under subsection (2A)below ”;

(b)after that subsection there shall be inserted the subsection specified insubsection (5) below; and

(c)in subsection (3) for the words “within that period” there shall be substituted “ before the cut-off date or, if it is later, the expiry of the period for the time being specified in or for the purposes of subsection (2) above ”.

(5)The subsection referred to in subsection (4)(b) above is as follows—

“(2A)If, within the period for the time being specified in or (by virtue of the previous operation of this subsection) for the purposes of subsection (2)above, the Secretary of State is satisfied that he does not have reasonably sufficient information to enable him to come to a decision with respect to there solution concerned, he may direct for the purposes of that subsection that it shall have effect as if for the period so specified there were substituted such longer period as is specified in the direction.”

(6)In section 567 of the 1985 Act (modifications of Part XVI in relation to shared ownership leases) for subsections (1) to (3) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

“(1)If it appears to a local housing authority that the interest of a person eligible for assistance in respect of a defective dwelling in their area is—

(a)a shared ownership lease, or

(b)the freehold acquired under the terms of a shared ownership lease,

the authority shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of State a scheme providing for the provisions of this Part to have effect, in their application to such a case, subject to such modifications as may be specified in the scheme.

(2)A scheme under subsection (1) above shall not have effect unless approved by the Secretary of State; and any such approval may be made conditional upon compliance with requirements specified by him.”

(7)Any power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under subsection (4) of section 567 of the 1985 Act shall cease to have effect; and in paragraph (d) of that subsection after the word “class” there shall be inserted “ or description ”.

Marginal Citations

F427167 Reports to tenants etc. on local housing authority functions.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

168 Contributions towards costs of housing mobility arrangements.E+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may with the consent of the Treasury make grants or loans towards the cost of arrangements for enabling or assisting persons to move and become,—

(a)in England and Wales, tenants or licensees of dwellings; and

(b)in Scotland, tenants of houses.

(2)The grants or loans may be made subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may determine and may be made so as to be repayable or, as the case may be, repayable earlier if there is a breach of such a condition.

(3)In this section—

  • “dwelling” means a building or a part of a building occupied or intended to be occupied as a separate dwelling;

  • “house” has the same meaning as in the M127Housing (Scotland) Act 1987; and

  • “tenant” does not include a tenant under a long lease within the meaning of the M128Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 or, as respects Scotland, under a lease for a period exceeding 20 years.

(4)Section 107 of the M129Housing Act 1985 and section 80 ofthe Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (which make provision similar to that made by the preceding provisions of this section, but limited to secure tenants) shall cease to have effect.

Marginal Citations

169 Powers of local authorities and Secretary of State as respects services etc. for owners and occupiers of houses for work on them.E+W

(1)A relevant authority shall have power to provide professional, technical and administrative services for owners or occupiers of dwellings in connection with their arranging or carrying out relevant works or to encourage or facilitate the carrying out of such works, whether or not on payment of such charges as the authority may determine.

(2)Works are relevant works in relation to a dwelling or, as the case may be, a dwelling in any area, if they are works of any of the following descriptions, that is to say—

(a)works to cause the dwelling to be fit for human habitation,

(b)where the occupant is disabled, works for any of the purposes specified in [F428section 23 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (disabled facilities grants: purposes)],

F429(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F429(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority exercising any power conferred by subsection (1) above—

(a)to consider whether or not to make a charge for exercising it; and

(b)to take such measures as are reasonably available to them to secure contributions from other persons towards the cost of exercising it.

(4)A relevant authority shall have power to give financial assistance in any form to—

(a)any housing association,

(b)any charity, or

(c)any body, or body of any description, approved by the Secretary of State,

towards the cost of the provision by that association, charity or body of services of any description for owners or occupiers of dwellings in arranging works of maintenance, repair or improvement or the encouraging or facilitating the carrying out of such works.

(5)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority—

(a)in deciding whether to exercise any power conferred by subsection (4)above in relation to any association, charity or body, to have regard to the existence and extent of any financial assistance available from other persons to that association, charity or body; and

(b)in exercising any power conferred by subsection (4) above in relation to any association, charity or body—

(i)to have regard to whether that association, charity or body has made or will make charges and their amount; and

(ii)to encourage the association, charity or body to take such measures as are reasonably available to them to secure contributions from other persons.

(6)The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, give financial assistance in any form to any person in respect of expenditure incurred or to be incurred by that person in connection with the provision, whether or not by that person, of services of any description for owners or occupiers of dwellings in arranging or carrying out works of maintenance, repair or improvement, or in connection with the encouraging or facilitating, whether or not by that person, the carrying out of such works.

(7)The giving of financial assistance under subsection (6) above shall be on such terms (which may include terms as to repayment) as the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Treasury, considers appropriate.

(8)The person receiving assistance shall comply with the terms on which itis given and compliance may be enforced by the Secretary of State.

(9)In this section—

  • F430...

  • “housing association” means a housing association within the meaning of section 1(1) of the M130Housing Associations Act 1985, or a body established by such a housing association for the purpose of, or having among its purposes or objects, those mentioned in section 4(3)(e) of that Act (providing services of any description for owners or occupiers of houses in arranging or carrying out works of maintenance, repair or improvement, or encouraging or facilitating the carrying out of such [F431works];

  • “local housing authority” shall be construed in accordance with section 1 of the M131Housing Act 1985; and

  • “relevant authority” means a local housing authority or county council.

Textual Amendments

F428Words in s. 169(2)(b) substituted (17.12.1996) by 1996 c. 53, s. 103, Sch. 1 para. 15(1)(2); S.I. 1996/2842, art. 3

F430Words in s. 169(9) omitted (14.3.2012 immediately before the Charities Act 2011 (c. 25) comes into force) by virtue of The Charities (Pre-consolidation Amendments) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1396), art. 1, Sch. paras. 40(1)(2)(b)

F431S. 169(9): words in definition of "housing association" substituted (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/2325, art. 5(1), Sch. 2 para. 19(6)

Marginal Citations

170 Powers of local authorities and Secretary of State as respects services,etc., for owners and occupiers of houses for work on them: Scotland.E+W+S

(1)A relevant authority shall have power to provide professional, technical and administrative services for owners or occupiers of houses in connection with their arranging or carrying out relevant works or to encourage or facilitate the carrying out of such works, whether or not on payment of such charges as the authority may determine.

(2)Relevant works are such works as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State and such works may be so specified by reference to such factors (including factors relating to persons of such descriptions as may be so specified) as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(3)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority exercising any power conferred by subsection (1) above—

(a)to consider whether or not to make a charge for exercising it; and

(b)to take such measures as are reasonably available to them to secure contributions from other persons towards the cost of exercising it.

(4)A relevant authority shall have power to give financial assistance in any form to—

(a)any housing association,

(b)any charity, or

(c)any body, or body of any description, approved by the Secretary of State,

towards the cost of the provision by that association, charity or body of services of any description for owners or occupiers of houses in arranging works of maintenance, repair or improvement or the encouraging or facilitating the carrying out of such works.

(5)It shall be the duty of a relevant authority—

(a)in deciding whether to exercise any power conferred by subsection (4) above in relation to any association, charity or body, to have regard to the existence and extent of any financial assistance available from other persons to that association, charity or body; and

(b)in exercising any power conferred by subsection (4) above in relation toany association, charity or body—

(i)to have regard to whether that association, charity or body has made or will make charges and their amount; and

(ii)to encourage the association, charity or body to take such measures as are reasonably available to them to secure contributions from other persons.

(6)The Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, give financial assistance in any form to any person in respect of expenditure incurred or to be incurred by that person in connection with the provision, whether or not by that person, of services of any description for owners or occupiers of houses in arranging or carrying out works of maintenance, repair or improvement or in connection with the encouraging or facilitating, whether or not by that person, the carrying out of such works.

(7)The giving of financial assistance under subsection (6) above shall be on such terms (which may include terms as to repayment) as the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Treasury, considers appropriate.

(8)The person receiving assistance shall comply with the terms on which itis given and compliance may be enforced by the Secretary of State.

(9)In this section—

  • “charity” means any body, corporate or not, established for charitable purposes;

  • “charitable purposes” shall be construed in the same way as if it were contained in the Income Tax Acts;

  • “house” has the meaning given by section 338 of the M132Housing (Scotland) Act 1987;

  • “housing association” means a housing association within the meaning of section 1(1) of the M133Housing Associations Act 1985, or a body established by such a housing association for the purpose of, or having among its purposes or objects, those mentioned in section 4(3)(e) of that Act (providing services of any description for owners or occupiers of houses in arranging or carrying out works of maintenance, repair or improvement, or encouraging or facilitating the carrying out of such works);

  • “relevant authority” means a [F432council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government .etc. (Scotland) Act 1994]

Textual Amendments

F432S. 170(9): words in definition of

“relevant authority”

substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 39, s. 180(1), Sch. 13 para. 161(1)(14) (with s. 128(8)); S.I. 1996/323, art. 4(1)(c)

Marginal Citations

M1321987c. 26.

171 Winding up of home purchase assistance scheme.E+W+S

(1)The Secretary of State may by order make provision for the purpose of bringing to an end the scheme for assistance for first-time buyers which—

(a)as respects England and Wales, is contained in sections 445 to 450 of the M134Housing Act 1985, and

(b)as respects Scotland, is contained in sections 222 to 227 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987,

and in the following provisions of this section, the enactments specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) above together with any orders and directions made under those enactments are referred to as “the assistance legislation”.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by subsection (1) above, an order under that subsection—

(a)may specify a date or dates with effect from which account will no longer be taken under the assistance legislation of matters specified in the order;

(b)may vary the terms of advances to lending institutions so as to commute what would otherwise be a number of payments or repayments to or by such an institution into a single payment or a smaller number of payments of such amount and payable at such time or times as may be determined in accordance with the order; and

(c)may provide for the amendment or repeal, in whole or in part, of theassistance legislation with effect from such date or dates and subject to such transitional provisions as may be specified in the order.

(3)The following powers, namely,—

(a)the powers conferred on the Secretary of State by subsection (3) ofsection 446 of the Housing Act 1985 and subsection (3) of section 223 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 to relax or modify the conditions in subsection (2) of each of those sections respectively (conditions qualifying a purchaser for assistance), and

(b)any power to make an order under any provision of the assistance legislation,

may be so exercised as to make provision for the purpose referred to in subsection (1) above.

(4)The power to make an order under subsection (1) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Marginal Citations

172 Transfer of new town housing stock.E+W

(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for requiring and authorising each new town corporation to take such steps as may be prescribed for making and giving effect to proposals for disposing of their housing stock, either by transferring it as a whole to a prescribed person or by transferring different parts of it to different prescribed persons.

(2)Regulations under subsection (1) above shall not require a new town corporation to transfer any dwelling or associated property, rights, liabilities or obligations to any person other than—

(a)the district council [F433or Welsh county council or county borough council]within whose [F434area] the dwelling is situated; or

(b)a person approved for the purposes of, and in accordance with, the regulations by the [F435Regulator of Social Housing] F436. . ..

(3)Regulations under subsection (1) above shall not require a new town corporation to give effect to a proposal for the transfer of any dwelling if the dwelling is one in respect of which a notice has been served under section 122 of the M135Housing Act 1985 (notice of a claim to exercise the right to buy) before the prescribed time and such other conditions as maybe prescribed are satisfied.

(4)A new town corporation shall not, in pursuance of any regulations under subsection (1) above, transfer any dwellings, or any associated property, rights, liabilities or obligations, to any person except with the consent of the Secretary of State; and the Secretary of State shall not give his consent to a proposed transfer unless he is satisfied—

(a)that there has been compliance with all such requirements with respect to the publication of information about the proposal and matters connected with its implementation, and with respect to consultation about the proposal, as are prescribed;

(b)that all such steps have been taken as are prescribed for the purpose of protecting the interests of the occupiers of the dwellings or the interests of the occupiers of any dwellings excluded from the proposal by virtue of subsection (3) above or any such consultation; and

(c)that the terms on which the transfer is made—

(i)require such price to be paid for the property transferred as appears to him to be the price which, on the prescribed assumptions, it would realise if sold on the open market by a willing vendor; and

(ii)include all such other terms as are prescribed.

(5)Regulations under subsection (1) above may contain such incidental provision and such supplemental, consequential and transitional provision in connection with their other provisions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, provision corresponding to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) of paragraph 2 of Schedule 12 to the M136Housing Act 1988 (matters relating to registration of title).

(6)Subject to subsection (7) below, Part III of the M137New Towns Act 1981 (transfer of dwellings and associated property to district councils) shall cease to have effect.

(7)Nothing in subsection (6) above shall—

(a)affect the operation after the time when that subsection comes into force of so much of any transfer scheme made under Part III of the said Act of 1981before that time as contains management arrangements with respect to land in which a new town corporation have an interest;

(b)affect the application after that time of section 50 of that Act (financial arrangements) in relation to any transfer scheme made under that Part before that time; or

(c)prevent the Secretary of State from exercising his power to make grants to a district council [F433or Welsh county council or county borough council] under section 51A of that Act (grants in respect of defects in transferred dwellings) where the grants are paid before the 1st April 1990 or such later date as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint in relation to that council;

and a statutory instrument containing an order under this subsection shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(8)In this section—

  • “dwelling” means any building or part of a building occupied, or erected or adapted for occupation, as a dwelling or as a hostel (including any land belonging to it or usually enjoyed with it);

  • “housing stock”, in relation to a new town corporation, means—

(a)the dwellings (whether or not in the area of a particular new town) which are vested in that corporation and were erected, adapted or acquired for occupation as dwellings; and

(b)except so far as may be prescribed, any associated property, rights, liabilities and obligations of that corporation;

  • “liabilities and obligations”, in relation to a new town corporation, includes liabilities and obligations which, apart from the regulations, would not be capable of being assigned or transferred by the corporation, including liabilities and obligations under Part V of the M138Housing Act 1985 (the right to buy);

  • “new town corporation” means F437... a development corporation,within the meaning of the New Towns Act 1981; and

  • “prescribed” means prescribed by or determined under regulations under subsection (1) above.

(9)For the purposes of this section the following property, rights, liabilities and obligations of a new town corporation shall be treated as associated with any dwellings comprised in their housing stock, that is to say—

(a)any interest of the corporation in any land occupied or set aside for occupation or use with the dwellings;

(b)any interest of the corporation in land in the vicinity of the dwellings which is held by them for the benefit or use of the persons living in those dwellings (rather than the inhabitants of a new town as a whole) or for providing facilities for the persons living in those dwellings, and any other property and any rights of the corporation so held;

(c)any property and rights held by the corporation—

(i)for the administration of an estate comprising the dwellings or any associated property;

(ii)for the maintenance or service of the dwellings or any associated property; or

(iii)otherwise in connection with any such property;

(d)any rights, liabilities and obligations which the corporation have in connection with any of the dwellings or any associated property or in connection with any dwellings which were previously part of their housing stock;

(e)any interest of the corporation in land set aside by them as an open space for the use or enjoyment of persons living in the dwellings (rather than for the use of the inhabitants of a new town as a whole).

Textual Amendments

F433Words in s. 172(2)(a)(7)(c) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(2), Sch. 8 para. 10(3)(a) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 para. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3

F434Word in s. 172(2)(a) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(2), Sch. 8 para. 10(3)(b) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 para. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3

F436Words in s. 172(2)(b) repealed (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, ss. 140, 152, Sch. 16 para. 75, Sch. 18 Pt. VI (with ss. 137(1), 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

173 Consent required for subsequent disposals.E+W

(1)Where a dwelling which is for the time being subject to a secure tenancy [F438or, in Wales, a secure contract] is transferred under section 172 above to a person approved as mentioned in subsection (2)(b) of that section (in this section referred to as an “approved person”), that person shall not dispose of it except—

(a)with the consent of the [F439appropriate authority], which may be given either unconditionally or subject to conditions; or

(b)by an exempt disposal, as defined in [F440section 133(11)] of the M139Housing Act 1988;

and any reference in the following provisions of this section to an initial transfer is a reference to the transfer of a dwelling to an approved person under section 172 above.

[F441(1ZA)Subsection (1) does not apply to a disposal of land by a private registered provider of social housing.]

[F442(1A)In this section “the appropriate authority” means—

F443(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)in relation to [F444a] disposal of land in England, the Secretary of State, and

(c)in relation to a disposal of land in Wales, the Welsh Ministers.]

(2)Where an estate or interest in a dwelling of the approved person who acquired it on the initial transfer has been mortgaged or charged, the prohibition in subsection (1) above applies also to a disposal by the mortgagee or chargee in exercise of a power of sale or leasing, whether or not the disposal is in the name of the approved person; and in any case where—

(a)by operation of law or by virtue of an order of a court, the dwelling which has been acquired on the initial transfer passes or is transferred from the approved person to another person, and

(b)that passing or transfer does not constitute a disposal for which consent is required under this section,

this section (including, where there is more than one such passing or transfer, this subsection) shall apply as if the other person to whom the dwelling passes or is transferred were the approved person.

(3)Where subsection (1) above applies—

(a)the new town corporation by whom the initial transfer is made shall furnish to the approved person a copy of the consent of the Secretary of State under section 172(4) above; and

(b)the instrument by which the initial transfer is effected shall contain a statement in a form approved by the Chief Land Registrar that the requirement of this section as to consent applies to a subsequent disposal of the dwelling by the approved person.

(4)For the purposes of this section the grant of an option to purchase the fee simple or any other interest in a dwelling is a disposal and a consent given to such a disposal extends to a disposal made in pursuance of the option.

(5)Before giving any consent required by virtue of this section, the [F445appropriate authority]—

(a)shall satisfy [F446itself] that the person who is seeking the consent has taken appropriate steps to consult every tenant of any dwelling proposed to be disposed of; and

(b)shall have regard to the responses of any such tenants to that consultation.

F447(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)No consent shall be required under F448... [F449section F450... 42 of the Housing Act 1996 or section 9 of the Housing Associations Act 1985] for any disposal in respect of which consent is given [F451under this section].

(8)Where the title of the new town corporation to the dwelling which is transferred by the initial transfer is not registered, and the initial transfer is a [F452transfer or grant] of a description mentioned in [F453section 4 of the Land Registration Act 2002] (compulsory registration of title)—

F454(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)the corporation shall give the approved person a certificate in a form approved by the Chief Land Registrar stating that the corporation is entitled to make the transfer subject only to such encumbrances, rights and interests as are stated in the instrument by which the initial transfer is effected or summarised in the certificate; and

(c)for the purpose of registration of title, the Chief Land Registrar shall accept such a certificate as evidence of the facts stated in it, but if as a result he has to meet a claim against him under the [F455Land Registration Act 2002] the corporation by whom the initial transfer was made is liable to indemnify him.

[F456(9)Where the Chief Land Registrar approves an application for registration of—

(a)a disposition of registered land, or

(b)a person’s title under a disposition of unregistered land,

and the instrument effecting the initial transfer contains the statement required by subsection (3) above, he shall enter in the register a restriction reflecting the limitation under this section on subsequent disposal.]

(10)In this section—

(a)“dwelling” and “new town corporation” have the same meaning as in section 172 above;F457...

(b)“secure tenancy” has the meaning assigned by section 79 of the M140Housing Act 1985 [F458; and]

[F459(c)“secure contract” has the same meaning as in section 8 of the Renting Homes Wales Act 2016 (anaw 1).]

Textual Amendments

F449Words in s. 173(7) substituted (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/2325, art. 5(1), Sch. 2 para. 19(7)(b)

F451Words in s. 173(7) substituted (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 140, Sch. 16 para. 76(1)(3) (with ss. 137(1), 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 5

F454S. 173(8)(a) repealed (1.4.1998) by 1997 c. 2, s. 4(2), Sch. 2 Pt. I; S.I. 1997/3036, art. 2(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C227S. 173: transfer of functions (1.4.2010) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), ss. 190(c), 325(1) (with s. 189); S.I. 2010/862, art. 2 (with Sch.)

Marginal Citations

F460174. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

F460S. 174 repealed (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 52, s. 227, Sch. 19, Pt. IX; S.I. 1996/2402, art. 3 (subject to transitional provisions and savings in Sch.)

175 Repeal of the Town Development Act 1952.E+W

No undertaking shall be given under section 2 or 4 of the M141Town Development Act 1952 (Government and local authority contributions for the purposes of town development), and no payment shall be made in pursuance of any such undertaking, at any time after 31st March 1990; and that Act shall cease to have effect except for the purposes of any town development (within the meaning of that Act) in relation to which any undertaking has been given before that date under section 2 of that Act.

Marginal Citations

176 Amendment of definition of occupation for purposes of purchase of house by secure tenant: Scotland.E+W+S

(1)In section 61(10) of the M142Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (definition of occupation of house for purposes of purchase by secure tenant)—

(a)in paragraph (a)(v) (occupation by member of tenant’s family succeeding to tenancy may be treated, at discretion of landlord, as occupation for purposes of right to buy) the words “in the discretion of the landlord” shall be omitted; and

(b)in paragraph (b) (rules for determining period of occupation) there shall be added at the end— “and

(iii)there shall be added to the period of occupation of a house by a joint tenant any earlier period during which he was at least 16 years of age and occupied the house as a member of the family of the tenant or of one or more of the joint tenants of the house.”.

(2)This section does not apply in any case where the application to purchase the house under section 63(2) of that Act has been served before the coming into force of this section.

Marginal Citations

[F461177 Sale to secure tenants of houses provided for persons of pensionable age: Scotland.E+W+S

In section 69 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (Secretary of State’s power to authorise refusal to sell certain houses provided for persons of pensionable age) after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A)This section applies only to houses first let on a secure tenancy before 1st January 1990.”]

Textual Amendments

F461S. 177 repealed (S.) (30.9.2002 subject to arts. 3-5 of the commencing S.S.I.) by 2001 asp 10, s. 112, Sch. 10 para. 16; S.S.I. 2002/321, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3-5)

178 Application of secure tenant’s right to buy to cases where landlord is lessee: Scotland.E+W+S

[F462(1)In section 76 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (duty of landlords toprovide information to secure tenants)—

(a)in subsection (1)(a)—

(i)for the word “not” there shall be substituted the word “ neither ”; and

(ii)after the word “house” there shall be inserted the words “ nor holds the interest of the landlord under a registered lease of the house or of land which includes it" ”;

(b)in subsection (2) for the words “heritable proprietor of the house” there shall be substituted the words “ either the heritable proprietor of the house or the holder of the interest of the landlord under a registered lease of the house or of land which includes it ”; and

(c)in subsection (3)(b) at the end there shall be inserted the words “ or a local authority is the holder of the interest of the landlord under a registered lease of the house or of land which includes it. ”]

(2)After section 84 of that Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“84A Application of right to buy to cases where landlord is lessee.

(1)Sections 61 to 84 (but not 76 or 77) and 216 (the “right to buy” provisions) shall, with the modifications set out in this section, apply so as to provide for—

(a)the acquisition by the tenant of a house let on a secure tenancy of the landlord’s interest in the house as lessee under a registered lease of the house or of land which includes it or as assignee of that interest; and

(b)the obtaining of a loan by the tenant in that connection,

as these sections apply for the purposes of the purchase of a house by the tenant from the landlord as heritable proprietor of it and the obtaining by the tenant of a loan in that connection.

(2)References in the right to buy provisions to the purchase or sale of a house shall be construed respectively as references to the acquisition or disposal of the landlord’s interest in the house by way of a registered assignation of that interest and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly.

(3)The reference in section 61(2)(b) to the landlord’s being the heritable proprietor of the house shall be construed as a reference to the landlord’s being the holder of the interest of the lessee under a registered lease of the house or of land which includes it.

(4)References in the right to buy provisions to the market value of or price to be paid for a house shall be construed respectively as references to the market value of the landlord’s interest in the house and to the price to be paid for acquiring that interest.

(5)References in section 64(1) to the tenant’s enjoyment and use of a house as owner shall be construed as references to his enjoyment and use of it as assignee of the landlord’s interest in the house.

(6)The reference in subsection (4) of section 64 to an option being offered to the landlord or to any other person to purchase the house in advance of its sale to a third party shall be construed as a reference to an option being offered to have the interest acquired by the tenant re-assigned to the landlord or assigned to the other person in advance of its being disposed of to a third party; and the references in subsection (5) and (9) of that section to an option to purchase shall be construed accordingly.

(7)In this section and section 76—

  • “registered lease” means a lease—

    (a)

    which is recorded in the general register of sasines; or

    (b)

    in respect of which the interest of the lessee is registered in the Land Register of Scotland

    under the Registration of Leases (Scotland) Act 1857; and

  • “registered assignation” means, in relation to such a lease,an assignation thereof which is so recorded or in respect of which the interest of the assignee has been so registered.”

Textual Amendments

F462S. 178(1) repealed (S.) (30.9.2002 subject to arts. 3-5 of the commencing S.S.I.) by 2001 asp 10, s. 112, Sch. 10 para. 16; S.S.I. 2002/321, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3-5)

[F463179 Amendment of powers of Scottish Homes to dispose of land.E+W+S

(1)In section 2 of the M143Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 (which, amongst other things, enables Scottish Homes to dispose of land)—

(a)in subsection (2) (powers of Scottish Homes), after “(3)” there shall be inserted “ and (3A) ”;

(b)in subsection (3)(b)—

(i)after “above” there shall be inserted the words “ , other than the power under paragraph (h) to dispose of land, ”; and

(ii)for the word “with” where secondly occurring there shall be substituted the words “ between it and ”;

(c)after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(3A)The power conferred by subsection (2)(h) above upon Scottish Homes to dispose of land may be exercised only with the consent of the Secretary of State (which consent may be given in relation to particular cases or classes of case and may be made subject to conditions).”; and

(d)subsection (6) (certain land not to be disposed of, without consent, for less than best price) shall be omitted.]

Textual Amendments

F463S. 179 repealed (S.) (30.9.2002 subject to arts. 3-5 of the commencing S.S.I.) by 2001 asp 10, s. 112, Sch. 10 para. 16; S.S.I. 2002/321, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3-5)

Marginal Citations

F464180 Race relations: codes of practice in housing field.E+W+S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

[F465181 Duty of landlord to inform secure tenant seeking to buy house about changes in law: Scotland.E+W+S

In section 76 of the M144Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (duty of landlords to provide information to secure tenants) there shall be added at the end the following subsections—

“(4)Where—

(a)by way of any enactment (including an enactment made under this Act), any change is to be made in the law relating to the calculation of the price at which the tenant of a house is entitled under this Act to purchase it, being a change which does not come into force upon the passing or making of that enactment but which, when it does come into force will affect the price of the house, and

(b)the house is one in respect of which an application to purchase has, in the period ending with the coming into force of the change, been served under section 63(1) and not withdrawn but no contract of sale of the house has been constituted under section 66(2),

the landlord shall, upon the passing or making of that enactment or, if later, upon the service of the application to purchase, forthwith give written notice to the tenant stating the nature of the change and how it will affect the price and suggesting that the tenant should seek appropriate advice.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (4), a change in the law will affect the price of a house if, on the day it falls to be calculated under the law as changed, the price will be different from what it would have been that day had there been no such change.”]

Textual Amendments

F465S. 181 repealed (S.) (30.9.2002 subject to arts. 3-5 of the commencing S.S.I.) by 2001 asp 10, s. 112, Sch. 10 para. 16; S.S.I. 2002/321, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3-5)

Marginal Citations

Other provisionsE+W+S

F466182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F466S. 182 repealed (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 52, s. 227, Sch. 19 Pt. I; S.I. 1996/2402, art. 3 (subject to transtitional provisions and savings in Sch.)

183 Extension of powers of Housing Corporation and Housing for Wales to give financial assistance.E+W

For section 87 of the M145Housing Associations Act 1985 (grants towards expenses in promoting or assisting registered housing associations) there shall be substituted the following section—

“87 Financial assistance with respect to formation, management, etc. of certain housing associations.

(1)The Corporation may give financial assistance to any person in respect of the following activities—

(a)promoting and giving advice on the formation of registered housing associations and co-operative housing associations (in this section referred to collectively as “relevant associations”);

(b)managing, providing services for, and giving advice on the running of, relevant associations; and

(c)assisting tenants and licensees of a relevant association to take part in the management of the association or of some or all of the dwellings provided by the association.

(2)Assistance under this section may be in the form of grants, loans, guarantees or incurring expenditure for the benefit of the person assisted or in such other way as the Corporation considers appropriate, except that the Corporation may not, in giving any form of financial assistance, purchase loan or share capital in a company.

(3)With respect to financial assistance under this section, the following—

(a)the procedure to be followed in relation to applications for assistance,

(b)the circumstances in which assistance is or is not to be given,

(c)the method for calculating, and any limitations on, the amount of assistance, and

(d)the manner in which, and the time or times at which, assistance is to be given,

shall be such as may be specified by the Corporation, acting in accordance with such principles as it may from time to time determine.

(4)In giving assistance under this section, the Corporation may provide that the assistance is conditional upon compliance by the person to whom the assistance is given with such conditions as it may specify.

(5)Where assistance under this section is given in the form of a grant, subsections (1), (2) and (7) to (9) of section 52 of the Housing Act 1988 (recovery, etc. of grants) shall apply as they apply in relation to a grant to which that section applies, but with the substitution, for any reference in those subsections to the registered housing association to which the grant has been given, of a reference to the person to whom assistance is given under this section.

(6)Section 53 of the Housing Act 1988 (determinations under Part II) shall apply in relation to a determination under this section as it applies to a determination under sections 50 to 52 of that Act.”

Marginal Citations

184 Extension of functions of Audit Commission.E+W

(1)

F467F468(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)F467

Textual Amendments

F468S. 184(2) repealed (11.9.1998) by 1998 c. 18, ss. 54(3), 55(2), Sch. 5

185 Publication of reports of Controller of Audit: Scotland.E+W+S

In section 102 of the M146Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (reports to Commission for Local Authority Accounts by Controller ofAudit)—

(a)in subsections (1) and (2) there shall, in each case, be added at the end the words “ and may send a copy of any report so made to any other person he thinks fit" ”; and

(b)after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(2A)A local authority shall, forthwith upon their receiving a copy of a report sent to them under subsection (1) or (2) above, supply a copy of that copy report to each member of the authority and make additional copies available for public inspection.”

Marginal Citations

186 Security of tenure on ending of long residential tenancies. E+W

(1)Schedule 10 to this Act shall have effect (in place of Part I of the M147Landlord and Tenant Act 1954) to confer security of tenure on certain tenants under long tenancies and, in particular, to establish assured periodic tenancies [F469or standard occupation contracts] when such long tenancies come to an end.

[F470(1A)In this section, “standard occupation contract” has the same meaning as in section 8 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 1).]

(2)Schedule 10 to this Act applies, and section 1 of the Landlord and TenantAct 1954 does not apply, to a tenancy of a dwelling-house—

(a)which is a long tenancy at a low rent, as defined in Schedule 10 to this Act; and

(b)which is entered into on or after the day appointed for the coming into force of this section, otherwise than in pursuance of a contract made before that day.

(3)If a tenancy—

(a)is in existence on 15th January 1999, and

(b)does not fall within subsection (2) above, and

(c)immediately before that date was, or was deemed to be, a long tenancy at a low rent for the purposes of Part I of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954,

then, on and after that date (and so far as concerns any notice specifying a date of termination on or after that date and any steps taken in consequence thereof), section 1 of that Act shall cease to apply to it and Schedule 10 to this Act shall apply to it unless, before that date, the landlord has served a notice under section 4 of that Act specifying a date of termination which is earlier than that date.

(4)The provisions of Schedule 10 to this Act have effect notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary, but nothing in this subsection or that Schedule shall be construed as preventing the surrender of a tenancy.

(5)Section 18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (duty of tenants of residential property to give information to landlords or superior landlords) shall apply in relation to property comprised in a long tenancy at a low rent, within the meaning of Schedule 10 to this Act, as it applies to property comprised in a long tenancy at a low rent within the meaning of Part I of that Act, except that the reference in that section to subsection (1) of section 3 of that Act shall be construed as a reference to sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 of Schedule 10 to this Act.

(6)Where, by virtue of subsection (3) above, Schedule 10 to this Act applies to a tenancy which is not a long tenancy at a low rent as defined in that Schedule, it shall be deemed to be such a tenancy for the purposes of that Schedule.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Marginal Citations

187 Construction industry: grants and guarantees.E+W

(1)The Secretary of State may, for the purpose of promoting or facilitating the carrying on of any of the activities specified in subsection (2) below, do one or both of the following, that is to say—

(a)make grants to any person who carries on any such activities;

(b)guarantee the repayment of the principal of, the payment of interest on and the discharge of any other financial obligation in connection with sums borrowed temporarily by any such person.

(2)The activities mentioned in subsection (1) above are—

(a)the assessment of, and of applications of, materials, products, systems and techniques used or proposed for use in the construction industry; and

(b)the issue of certificates, promotion of common standards and publication of information with respect to any such materials, products, systems or techniques.

(3)The consent of the Treasury shall be required for the exercise by the Secretary of State of his power under this section to make a grant or give a guarantee; but, subject to that consent and to the following provisions of this section, that power shall be a power to make a grant or give a guarantee in such manner and on such conditions as he thinks fit.

(4)Immediately after a guarantee is given under this section, the Secretary of State shall lay a statement of the guarantee before each House of Parliament.

(5)Where any sums are paid out in fulfilment of a guarantee given under this section in respect of any person’s borrowing, that person shall make to the Secretary of State, at such times and in such manner as the Secretary of State may, with the consent of the Treasury, from time to time direct—

(a)payments, of such amounts as the Secretary of State may so direct, in or towards repayment of those sums; and

(b)payments of interest, at such rate as the Secretary of State may so direct, on what is outstanding for the time being in respect of those sums.

(6)As soon as possible after the end of any financial year in which—

(a)any sums are paid out in fulfilment of a guarantee given under this section, or

(b)any liability in respect of the principal of sums so paid out, or in respect of interest on any such sums, is outstanding,

the Secretary of State shall lay before each House of Parliament a statement relating to the sums.

188 Repeal of s. 2 of the Education (Grants and Awards) Act 1984.E+W

Section 2 of the M148Education (Grants and Awards) Act 1984 (limit on expenditure approved for grant purposes) shall not apply in relation to any expenditure approved for the financial year beginning with 1st April 1990 or any subsequent financial year.

Marginal Citations

F471189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

Textual Amendments

SupplementaryE+W+S

190 Regulations.E+W+S

(1)Under any power to make regulations conferred by any provision of this Act, different provision may be made for different cases and different descriptions of cases (including different provision for different areas).

(2)Any power to make regulations conferred by any provision of this Act shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which, except in the case of a statutory instrument containing regulations under section 150 or section 151or Schedule 10, shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

191 Separate provisions for Wales.E+W

(1)Where any provision of this Act which extends to England and Wales confers (directly or by amendment of another Act) a power on the Secretary of State to make regulations, orders, rules or determinations or to give directions or specify any matter, the power may be exercised differently for England and Wales, whether or not it is exercised separately.

(2)This section is without prejudice to section 190(1) above and to any other provision of this Act or of any Act amended by this Act by virtue of which powers may be exercised differently in different cases or in any other circumstances.

192 Financial provisions.E+W+S

(1)There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament—

(a)any sums required for the payment by the Secretary of State of grants, subsidies or contributions under this Act;

(b)any sums required by the Secretary of State for fulfilling any guarantees under this Act;

(c)any other expenses of the Secretary of State under this Act; and

(d)any increase attributable to this Act in the sums so payable under anyother enactment.

(2)Any sums received by the Secretary of State under this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

193 Application to Isles of Scilly.E+W

(1)This Act applies to the Isles of Scilly subject to such exceptions, adaptations and modifications as the Secretary of State may by order direct.

(2)The power to make an order under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

194 Amendments and repeals.E+W+S

(1)Schedule 11 to this Act, which contains minor amendments and amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act, shall have effect.

(2)The enactments specified in Part I of Schedule 12 to this Act, which relate to or are superseded by the provisions of Part IV of this Act, are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule; and the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument make provision (in consequence of the said Part IV) amending, repealing or revoking (with or without savings) any provision of an Act passed before or in the same session as this Act, or of an instrument made under an Act before the passing of this Act.

(3)In subsection (2) above “Act” includes a private or local Act and a statutory instrument by which the power in that subsection is exercised shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(4)The other enactments specified in Part II of Schedule 12 to this Act,which include some that are spent, are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule, but subject to any provision at the end of that Schedule.

Commencement Information

I8S. 194(1). partly in force; s. 194(1) in force for certain purposes at 27.2.1991 see s. 195(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/344, art. 3(1), Sch.

S. 194(1) partly in force; s.194(1) in force for certain purposes at 1.4.1991 see s. 195(2)(3) and S.I. 1991/344, art. 3(2)(a), Sch.

S. 194(1) partly in force; s. 194(1) in force at 1.4.1991 so far as it relates to Sch. 11 para. 113, see s. 195(2) and S.I. 1991/953, art. 2

S. 194(1) partly in force: s. 194(1) in force at 8.5.1992 so far as it relates to Sch. 11 para. 30, see s. 195(2) and S.I. 1992/760, art. 2

S. 194(1) partly in force: s. 194(1) in force at 25.1.1993 so far as it relates to Sch. 11 para. 14, see s. 195(2) and S.I. 1993/105, art. 2

I9S. 194(4) partly in force; s. 194(4) in force for certain purposes at 1.4.1991 see s. 195(2)(3) and S. I. 1991/344, art. 3(2)(b), Sch.

195 Short title, commencement and extent.E+W+S

(1)This Act may be cited as the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

(2)The provisions of sections 1 and 2, 9, 10, 13 to 20 above, Parts II to V (with the exception in Part II of section 24), VII and VIII and (in this Part) sections 140 to 145, 156, 159, 160, 162, 164, 165, [F472168] to 173, 175 to 180, 182 and 183, 185, 186 and 194, except in so far as it relates to paragraphs 104 to 106 of Schedule 11, shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint, and different days may be so appointed for different provisions or for different purposes.

(3)An order under subsection (2) above may contain such transitional provisions and savings (whether or not involving the modification of any statutory provision) as appear to the Secretary of State necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions brought into force by the order.

(4)Subject to subsection (5) below, this Act, except Parts I and II and sections 36(9), 140 to 145, 150 to 152, 153, 155, 157, 159, 161, 166, 168, 170, 171, 176 to 182, 185, 190, 192, 194(1), 194(4) and this section, extendsto England and Wales only.

(5)Notwithstanding anything in subsection (4) above, any provision of Schedule 11 or Part II of Schedule 12 to this Act which amends or repeals any provision of the following enactments does not extend to Scotland—

(a)the M149Military Lands Act 1892;

(b)the M150Local Authorities (Expenditure Powers) Act 1983.

(6)This Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C229Power of appointment conferred by s. 195(2) partly exercised: S.I. 1989/2180, 2186, 2445, 1990/191, 431, 762, 961, 1274, 1335,1552, 2581

Marginal Citations

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