The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 44 and 105 of the Local Government Act 2000(), having consulted the Electoral Commission as required by subsection (3A) of section 44 of that Act(), hereby makes the following Regulations which, in so far as they make provision relating to the limitation of election expenses (and the creation of criminal offences in connection with the limitation of such expenses) give effect to a recommendation of the Electoral Commission, as required by subsection (3B) of that section, and of which a draft has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament: