The Local Government Act 2003 (Commencement No. 2 and Savings) Order 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force the provisions in the Local Government Act 2003 (“the Act”) set out in articles 2 and 3. Those provisions listed in article 2 come into force on the day after this Order is made and apply in relation to England and Wales. Those provisions listed in article 3 apply in relation to England only. The provisions in article 3(1) come into force on the day after this Order is made and those listed in article 3(2) come into force on 1st April 2005.

The provisions in sections 61, 62 and 65 of the Act amend the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (c. 41) to bring in a new small business rate relief and to amend the provisions relating to non-domestic rating multipliers and transitional relief. The remaining provisions of the Act being commenced are consequential on sections 61, 62 and 65 of the Act.

Article 4 makes savings so that—

(a) regulations made under section 58 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 continue to have effect and new regulations or amendments to those regulations can be made in respect of financial years ending before 1st April 2005 as if section 65 of the Act had not been commenced; and

(b) the provisions in the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the Local Government Finance Act 1992 relating to any non-domestic rating multiplier continue to apply in respect of financial years ending before 1st April 2005 as if section 62 of the Act (and the consequential amendments relating thereto) had not been commenced.