In this Act—

• “local authority” means the council of a county, F1county borough, . . . F2F3London borough or county district, F4the Broads AuthorityF5the Common Council of the City of LondonF6, a police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1964,F7 . . . F8, or a joint authority established by Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985 F9or an authority established under section 10 of that Act (waste regulation and disposal authorities),,, . . . F10or a parish council or parish meeting, or the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

• “records” means materials in written or other form setting out facts or events or otherwise recording information.

For the purposes of this Act records shall be treated as being under the control of a local authority if they are in the possession of the authority by virtue of section two of this Act or otherwise, or if the authority has power to give directions as to their custody.