8 Interpretation.E+W
(1)In this Act—
“local authority” means the council of a county, [F1county borough,] F2... [F3London borough] or county district, [F4the Broads Authority] [F5the Common Council of the City of London], [F6the London Fire Commissioner,] F7... F8[F9..., or a joint authority established by Part IV of the Local Government Act 1985 [F10or an authority established under section 10 of that Act (waste regulation and disposal authorities),] [F11or an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 or a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act [F12, or a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023]],], F13... or 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.
(2)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.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 8(1) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 66(6), Sch. 16 para. 20(2) (with s. 54(5)(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 4, Sch. 2
F2Words repealed by Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), Sch. 30
F3Words substituted by London Government Act 1963 (c. 33), Sch. 17 para. 27(b)
F4Words in s. 8(1) inserted by Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4, SIF 81:1), ss. 21, 27(2), Sch. 6 para. 4
F5Words in s. 8(1) inserted by S.I. 1986/148, art. 18(2)(c)
F6Words in s. 8(1) 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. 22; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)
F7Words in s. 8(1) omitted (16.1.2012) by virtue of Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 81; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1 (with Sch. 2 para. 18)
F8Words in s. 8(1) repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237, Sch. 13
F9Words in s. 8(1) inserted by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 84, Sch. 14 para. 39(b)
F10Words in s. 8(1) inserted by S.I. 1990/1765, art. 4(1)(b)
F11Words in s. 8(1) inserted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 119, 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 3(3); S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2
F12Words in s. 8(1) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 5 (with s. 247)
F13Words in s. 8(1) repealed by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 1, 102(3), Sch. 17
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Reference to parish council or parish meeting to be construed (W.) as reference to community council: Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70), s. 179(4)(b)