Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Local Government Act 2000

Changes to legislation:

Local Government Act 2000 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 27 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.

  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I Promotion of economic, social or environmental well-being etc

    1. Interpretation

      1. 1. Meaning of “local authority” in Part I.

    2. Promotion of well-being

      1. 2. Promotion of well-being.

      2. 3. Limits on power to promote well-being.

      3. 4. Strategies for promoting well-being.

      4. 4A.Strategies: parishes

      5. 5. Power to amend or repeal enactments.

    3. Modification of certain enactments

      1. 6. Power to modify enactments concerning plans etc.

      2. 7. Power to modify enactments concerning plans etc: Wales.

      3. 8. Modification of section 137 of the 1972 Act.

    4. Procedure for orders under section 5 or 6

      1. 9. Procedure for orders under section 5 or 6.

      2. 9A.Procedure for orders under section 7

  3. PART 1A Arrangements with respect to local authority governance in England

    1. CHAPTER 1 Permitted forms of governance

      1. 9B.Permitted forms of governance for local authorities in England

      2. 9BA.Power of Secretary of State to prescribe additional permitted governance arrangements

    2. CHAPTER 2 Executive arrangements

      1. Local authority executives

        1. 9C.Local authority executives

      2. Executive functions

        1. 9D.Functions which are the responsibility of an executive

        2. 9DA.Functions of an executive: further provision

      3. Discharge of functions

        1. 9E.Discharge of functions: general

        2. 9EA.Discharge of functions of and by another local authority

        3. 9EB.Joint exercise of functions

      4. Overview and scrutiny committees

        1. 9F.Overview and scrutiny committees: functions

        2. 9FA.Overview and scrutiny committees: supplementary provision

        3. 9FB.Scrutiny officers

        4. 9FC.Reference of matters to overview and scrutiny committee etc

        5. 9FD.Dealing with references under section 9FC(1)(c)

        6. 9FE.Duty of authority or executive to respond to overview and scrutiny committee

        7. 9FF.Reports and recommendations of overview and scrutiny committees: duties of certain partner authorities

        8. 9FG.Publication etc of reports, recommendations and responses: confidential and exempt information

        9. 9FH.Overview and scrutiny committees: flood risk management

        10. 9FI.Overview and scrutiny committees: provision of information etc by certain partner authorities

      5. Further provision in relation to executives

        1. 9G.Meetings and access to information etc

        2. 9GA.Meetings and access to information etc: further provision and regulations

        3. 9GB.Further provision

        4. 9GC.Absence of requirement for political balance

      6. Elected mayors etc

        1. 9H.Elected mayors etc

        2. 9HA.Election as elected mayor and councillor

        3. 9HB.Time of elections etc

        4. 9HC.Voting at elections of elected mayors

        5. 9HD.Entitlement to vote

        6. 9HE.Power to make provision about elections

      7. Leader and cabinet executives (England)

        1. 9I.Election and term of office of leader

        2. 9IA.Removal of leader

        3. 9IB.Leader to continue to hold office as councillor

        4. 9IC.No other means of removing leader

        5. 9ID.Regulations

    3. CHAPTER 3 The committee system

      1. 9J.Secretary of State's power to prohibit delegation of functions etc

      2. 9JA.Overview and scrutiny committee

      3. 9JB.Overview and scrutiny: flood risk management

    4. CHAPTER 4 Changing governance arrangements

      1. Changes to governance arrangements by local authorities: general provision

        1. 9K.Changing from one form of governance to another

        2. 9KA.Executive arrangements: different form of executive

        3. 9KB.Executive arrangements: other variation of arrangements

        4. 9KC.Resolution of local authority

      2. Implementation of certain changes to governance arrangements

        1. 9L.Implementation: change in form of governance or change in form of executive

      3. Referendums

        1. 9M.Cases in which change is subject to approval in a referendum in accordance with sections 9MA and 9MB

        2. 9MA.Referendum: proposals by local authority

        3. 9MB.Requirement to hold and give effect to referendum

        4. 9MC.Referendum following petition

        5. 9MD.Referendum following direction

        6. 9ME.Referendum following order

        7. 9MF.Further provision with respect to referendums

        8. 9MG.Voting in and conduct of referendums

      4. Further provisions as to mayor and cabinet executive

        1. 9N.Requiring referendum on change to mayor and cabinet executive

        2. 9NA.Effect of section 9N order

        3. 9NB.Variation of mayoral executive

      5. Miscellaneous

        1. 9O.General

        2. 9OA.Interpretation

    5. CHAPTER 5 Supplementary

      1. Local authority constitution

        1. 9P.Local authority constitution

      2. Guidance

        1. 9Q.Guidance

      3. Interpretation

        1. 9R.Interpretation of Part 1A

  4. Part II Local authorities in Wales: arrangements with respect to executives etc.

    1. Executive arrangements

      1. 10. Executive arrangements.

    2. Local authority executives

      1. 11. Local authority executives.

      2. 12. Additional forms of executive.

    3. Executive functions

      1. 13. Functions which are the responsibility of an executive.

    4. Provisions with respect to executive arrangements

      1. 14. Discharge of functions: mayor and cabinet executive

      2. 15. Discharge of functions: leader and cabinet executive (Wales)

      3. 16. Discharge of functions: mayor and council manager executive.

      4. 17. Discharge of functions: s. 11(5) executive.

      5. 18. Discharge of functions by area committees.

      6. 19. Discharge of functions of and by another local authority.

      7. 20. Joint exercise of functions.

      8. 21. Overview and scrutiny committees.

      9. 21ZA.Scrutiny officers

      10. 21A.Reference of matters to overview and scrutiny committee etc

      11. 21B.Duty of authority or executive to respond to overview and scrutiny committee

      12. 21C.Reports and recommendations of overview and scrutiny committees: duties of certain partner authorities

      13. 21D.Publication etc of reports, recommendations and responses: confidential and exempt information

      14. 21E.Overview and scrutiny committees of certain district councils: functions with respect to partner authorities

      15. 21F.Overview and scrutiny committees: flood risk management

      16. 21G. Designated persons

      17. 22. Access to information etc.

      18. 22A.Overview and scrutiny committees of certain authorities in England: provision of information etc by certain partner authorities

      19. 23. Further provision.

      20. 24. Absence of requirement for political balance.

    5. Procedure with respect to operation of executive arrangements

      1. 25. Proposals.

      2. 26. Proposals not requiring referendum.

      3. 27. Referendum in case of proposals involving elected mayor.

      4. 28. Approval of outline fall-back proposals.

      5. 29. Operation of, and publicity for, executive arrangements.

      6. 30. Operation of different executive arrangements.

    6. Alternative arrangements.

      1. 31. Alternative arrangements in case of certain local authorities.

      2. 32. Alternative arrangements.

      3. 33. Operation of alternative arrangements.

    7. Changing governance arrangements: general provisions

      1. 33ZA. Changing governance arrangements

      2. 33A.Executive arrangements: different form of executive

      3. 33B.Executive arrangements: other variation of arrangements

      4. 33C.Alternative arrangements: move to executive arrangements

      5. 33D.Alternative arrangements: variation of arrangements

      6. 33E.Proposals by local authority

      7. 33F.Resolution of local authority

      8. 33G.Implementation: new executive or move to executive arrangements

      9. 33H.Implementation: other change in governance arrangements

      10. 33I.General

    8. ...

      1. 33J.New form of executive or move to executive: general requirements

      2. 33K.Changes subject to approval in a referendum: additional requirements

      3. 33L.Change not subject to approval in a referendum: additional requirements

      4. 33M.Cases in which change subject to approval in referendum

      5. 33N.Variation of mayoral executive

    9. ...

      1. 33O.Interpretation

    10. Referendums

      1. 34. Referendum following petition.

      2. 35. Referendum following direction.

      3. 36. Referendum following order.

    11. Local authority constitution

      1. 37. Local authority constitution.

    12. Guidance

      1. 38. Guidance.

    13. Elected mayors etc.

      1. 39. Elected mayors etc.

      2. 40. Election as elected mayor and councillor.

      3. 41. Time of elections etc.

      4. 42. Voting at elections of elected mayors.

      5. 43. Entitlement to vote.

      6. 44. Power to make provision about elections.

    14. ...

      1. 44A. Election of leader: whole-council elections

      2. 44B. Election of leader: partial-council elections

      3. 44C.Removal of leader

      4. 44D. Term of office of leader: whole-council elections

      5. 44E. Term of office of leader: partial-council elections

      6. 44F.Leader to continue to hold office as councillor

      7. 44G.No other means of electing or removing leader

      8. 44H.Regulations

    15. Provisions with respect to referendums

      1. 45. Provisions with respect to referendums.

    16. Amendments to the 1972 Act

      1. 46. Amendments to the 1972 Act.

    17. Power to make further provision

      1. 47. Power to make incidental, consequential provision etc.

    18. Interpretation

      1. 48. Interpretation of Part II.

      2. 48A.Functions of the Lord President of the Council

  5. Part III Conduct of local government members and employees

    1. Chapter I Conduct of members

      1. Standards of conduct

        1. 49. Principles governing conduct of members of relevant authorities.

        2. 50. Model code of conduct.

        3. 51. Duty of relevant authorities to adopt codes of conduct.

        4. 52. Duty to comply with code of conduct.

      2. Standards committees

        1. 53. Standards committees.

        2. 54A.Sub-committees of standards committees

        3. 54. Functions of standards committees.

        4. 55. Standards committees ... for parish councils.

        5. 56. Standards committees or sub-committees for community councils.

        6. 56A.Joint committees of relevant authorities in England

    2. Chapter II Investigations etc: England

      1. Standards Board for England

        1. 57. Standards Board for England.

      2. Written allegations

        1. 57A.Written allegations: right to make, and initial assessment

        2. 57B.Right to request review of decision not to act

        3. 57C.Information to be given to subject of allegation

        4. 57D.Power to suspend standards committee's functions

        5. 58.Allegations referred to Standards Board

      3. Functions of ethical standards officers

        1. 59. Functions of ethical standards officers.

      4. Investigations by ethical standards officers

        1. 60. Conduct of investigations.

        2. 61. Procedure in respect of investigations.

        3. 62. Investigations: further provisions.

        4. 63. Restrictions on disclosure of information.

      5. Reports etc. by ethical standards officers

        1. 64. Reports etc.

        2. 65. Interim reports.

        3. 65A.Disclosure by monitoring officers of ethical standards officers' reports

      6. References to monitoring officers

        1. 66. Matters referred to monitoring officers.

        2. 66A.References to First-tier Tribunal for action in respect of misconduct

      7. Information to be provided to Standards Board by relevant authority

        1. 66B.Periodic returns

        2. 66C.Information requests

      8. Consultation with ombudsmen

        1. 67. Consultation with ombudsmen .

    3. Chapter III Investigations etc: Wales

      1. Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

        1. 68. Public Services Ombudsman for Wales .

      2. Investigations

        1. 69. Investigations by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

        2. 70. Investigations: further provisions.

      3. Reports etc.

        1. 71. Reports etc.

        2. 72. Interim reports.

      4. References to monitoring officers

        1. 73. Matters referred to monitoring officers.

        2. 74. Law of defamation.

    4. Chapter IV Adjudications

      1. The Adjudication Panel for Wales

        1. 75. Adjudication Panel for Wales.

      2. Case tribunals and interim case tribunals

        1. 76. Case tribunals and interim case tribunals.

      3. Adjudications

        1. 77. Adjudications.

        2. 78. Decisions of the First-tier Tribunal or interim case tribunals.

        3. 78A.Decisions of First-tier Tribunal

        4. 78B. Section 78A: supplementary

        5. 79. Decisions of case tribunals: Wales .

        6. 80. Recommendations by First-tier Tribunal or case tribunals.

    5. Chapter V Supplementary

      1. Disclosure and registration of members’ interests etc.

        1. 81. Disclosure and registration of members’ interests etc.

      2. Code of conduct for local government employees

        1. 82. Code of conduct for local government employees.

      3. Delegation by monitoring officers

        1. 82A.Monitoring officers: delegation of functions under Part 3

      4. Interpretation

        1. 83. Interpretation of Part III.

  6. Part IV Elections

    1. 84. Meaning of “local authority” and “principal council” in Part IV.

    2. 85. Options for elections.

    3. 86. Power to specify a scheme for elections.

    4. 87. Power to change years in which elections held.

    5. 88. Separate power to make incidental provisions etc.

    6. 89. Consequential electoral changes.

  7. Part V Miscellaneous

    1. Surcharge etc.

      1. 90. Surcharge etc.

      2. 91. Advisory notices.

    2. Maladministration etc.

      1. 92. Payments in cases of maladministration etc.

    3. Welfare services

      1. 93. Grants for welfare services.

      2. 94. Disclosure of information.

      3. 95. Unauthorised disclosure of information.

      4. 96. Housing benefit.

    4. Access to information

      1. 97. Background papers.

      2. 98. Meetings and documents: notice etc.

    5. Allowances and pensions

      1. 99. Allowances and pensions for certain local authority members.

      2. 100. Power to make provision about allowances.

    6. Indemnification of members and officers of relevant authorities

      1. 101. Indemnification of members and officers of relevant authorities.

    7. Social services functions

      1. 102. Social services functions.

    8. Recoupment by local authorities of cost of providing day care

      1. 103. Recoupment by local authorities of cost of providing day care.

    9. Prohibition on promoting homosexuality: bullying

      1. 104. Prohibition on promoting homosexuality: bullying.

  8. Part VI Supplemental

    1. 105. Orders and regulations.

    2. 106. Wales.

    3. 107. Minor and consequential amendments and repeals.

    4. 108. Commencement.

    5. 109. Short title and extent.

  9. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE A1

      Executive arrangements in England: further provision

      1. Mayor and cabinet executives

        1. 1.(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by...

      2. Leader and cabinet executives (England)

        1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by...

      3. Procedure

        1. 3.Executive arrangements by a local authority may include provision with...

      4. Meetings of executives and executive committees

        1. 4.A member of a local authority who is not a...

      5. Mayor's assistant

        1. 5.(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...

      6. Overview and scrutiny committees: education functions

        1. 6.(1) In paragraphs 7 and 8 “ relevant authority ”...

        2. 7.(1) In the case of a relevant authority that maintains...

        3. 8.(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations require an...

        4. 9.The following provisions of the Education Act 1996, namely—

        5. 10.(1) Except for the expression “local authority”, expressions used in...

      7. Overview and scrutiny committees: voting rights of co-opted members

        1. 11.(1) A local authority may permit a co-opted member of...

        2. 12.(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...

        3. 13.(1) A local authority which makes a scheme for the...

    2. SCHEDULE 1

      Executive arrangements in Wales: further provision

      1. Mayor and cabinet executives

        1. 1.(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by...

      2. ...

        1. 1A.(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by...

      3. Leader and cabinet executives (Wales)

        1. 2.(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by...

      4. Mayor and council manager executives

        1. 3.(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by...

      5. Procedure

        1. 4.Executive arrangements by a local authority may include provision with...

      6. Meetings of executives and executive committees

        1. 5.A member of a local authority who is not a...

      7. Mayor’s assistant

        1. 6.(1) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision for...

      8. Overview and scrutiny committees: education functions

        1. 7.(1) In this paragraph “ relevant English authority ” means...

        2. 8.(1) In this paragraph “relevant ... authority” means a local...

        3. 9.(1) In this paragraph “relevant authority” means a local authority...

        4. 10.The following provisions of the Education Act 1996, namely—

        5. 11.Except for the expression “local authority”, expressions used in paragraphs...

        6. 11A.In paragraphs 8 and 9 “education functions” has the meaning...

      9. ...

        1. 12.(1) A local authority in England may permit a co-opted...

        2. 13.(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision...

        3. 14.(1) A local authority which makes a scheme for the...

    3. SCHEDULE 2

      Election of elected mayor

      1. Application

        1. 1.This Schedule applies where there are three or more candidates...

      2. Candidate with overall majority of first preference votes

        1. 2.If one of the candidates to be the elected mayor...

      3. No candidate with overall majority of first preference votes

        1. 3.(1) If none of the candidates to be the elected...

    4. SCHEDULE 3

      Amendments to the 1972 Act

      1. 1.(1) Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1972 (constitution...

      2. 2.(1) Section 3 of that Act (chairman of principal council...

      3. 3.(1) Section 5 of that Act (vice-chairman of principal council...

      4. 4.(1) Section 21 of that Act (constitution of principal councils...

      5. 5.(1) Section 22 of that Act (chairman of principal council...

      6. 6.(1) Section 24 of that Act (vice-chairman of principal council...

      7. 7.(1) Section 25A of that Act (title of chairman or...

      8. 8.(1) Section 80 of that Act (disqualifications for election and...

      9. 9.(1) Section 83 of that Act (declaration of acceptance of...

      10. 10.(1) Section 84 of that Act (resignation) is amended as...

      11. 11.(1) Section 245 of that Act (status of certain districts,...

      12. 12.(1) Section 270 of that Act (general provisions as to...

      13. 13.(1) Schedule 2 to that Act (constitution and membership of...

      14. 14.(1) Schedule 12 to that Act (meetings and proceedings of...

    5. SCHEDULE 4

      Standards Board for England

      1. ...

        1. . . . . . . . . . ....

      2. . . . . . . . . . ....

      3. . . . . . . . . . ....

      4. . . . . . . . . . ....

      5. . . . . . . . . . ....

      6. . . . . . . . . . ....

      7. . . . . . . . . . ....

      8. . . . . . . . . . ....

      9. . . . . . . . . . ....

      10. . . . . . . . . . ....

      11. . . . . . . . . . ....

      12. . . . . . . . . . ....

      13. . . . . . . . . . ....

      14. . . . . . . . . . ....

      15. . . . . . . . . . ....

      16. . . . . . . . . . ....

      17. . . . . . . . . . ....

      18. . . . . . . . . . ....

      19. . . . . . . . . . ....

    6. SCHEDULE 5

      Minor and Consequential Amendments

      1. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)

        1. 1.In section 34A of the Children and Young Persons Act...

        2. 2.In section 55 of that Act (power to order parent...

      2. Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (c. 42)

        1. 3.In section 2 of the Local Authority Social Services Act...

        2. 4.In section 3 of that Act (business of social services...

        3. 5.In section 13 of that Act (orders and regulations), in...

        4. 6.In section 15 of that Act (citation, interpretation etc), in...

        5. 7.In Schedule 1 to that Act (enactments conferring functions assigned...

      3. Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)

        1. 8.In section 80 of the Local Government Act 1972 (disqualifications...

        2. 9.In section 85 of that Act (vacation of office by...

        3. 10.In section 86 of that Act (declaration by local authority...

        4. 11.In section 87(1) of that Act (date of casual vacancies)—...

        5. 12.Sections 94 to 98 of that Act (restrictions on voting)...

        6. 13.Section 105 of that Act (disability for voting on account...

      4. Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7)

        1. 14.In section 25(1) of the Local Government Act 1974 (authorities...

        2. 15.In section 30 of that Act (reports on investigation by...

      5. Adoption Act 1976 (c. 36)

        1. 16.In section 2 of the Adoption Act 1976 (local authorities’...

      6. National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49)

        1. 17.In section 28A of the National Health Service Act 1977...

      7. Registered Homes Act 1984 (c. 23)

        1. 18.In its application to a registration authority which are operating...

      8. Children Act 1989 (c. 41)

        1. 19.In section 22 of the Children Act 1989 (general duty...

        2. 20.In section 42 of that Act (right of guardian ad...

        3. 21.In section 81 of that Act (inquiries), in subsection (1)(a)...

        4. 22.In section 105 of that Act (interpretation), in subsection (5)...

        5. 23.In its application to a local authority (within the meaning...

      9. Local Government and Housing 1989 (c. 42)

        1. 24.(1) Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act...

        2. 25.Section 19 of that Act (members’ interests) ceases to have...

        3. 26.Sections 31 and 32(1) of that Act (National Code of...

        4. 27.Sections 33 to 35 of that Act (economic development and...

      10. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)

        1. 28.In Part I of Schedule 1 to the Tribunals and...

      11. Audit Commission Act 1998 (c. 18)

        1. 29.In section 37 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 (social...

        2. 30.In section 49 of that Act (restriction on disclosure of...

      12. Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29)

        1. 31.In section 6 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999...

        2. 32.Section 13 of that Act (failure of Mayor to attend...

        3. 33.In section 31 of that Act (limits of the general...

        4. 34.Section 66 of that Act (the Secretary of State’s guidance...

    7. SCHEDULE 6

      Repeals

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: