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Revised Statute from The UK Statute Law Database

Local Government Act 1972 (c.70)

This version of this statute is extracted from the UK Statute Law Database (SLD). It is not necessarily in the form in which it was originally enacted but is a revised version, which means that any subsequent amendments to the text and other effects are incorporated with annotations.

There are effects on this legislation that have not yet been applied to SLD for the following year: 2009. See the Tables of Legislative effects and the Update status of legislation page on the SLD website.

Royal arms

Local Government Act 1972

1972 CHAPTER 70

Contents

Go to Preamble

  1. Part I

    Local Government Areas and Authorities in England

    1. New local government areas

      1. 1. New local government areas in England

    2. Principal councils

      1. 2. Constitution of principal councils in England

    3. Members of principal councils

      1. 3. Chairman

      2. 4. Election of chairman

      3. 5. Vice-chairman

      4. 6. Term of office and retirement of councillors

      5. 7. Elections of councillors

      6. 8. Constitution and membership of Greater London Council and London borough councils

    4. Parishes

      1. 9.} Parish meetings and councils

      2. 10. Power to dissolve parish councils in small parishes

      3. 11. Orders for grouping parishes, dissolving groups and separating parishes from groups

      4. 11A.Grouping: alternative styles

      5. 11B.De-grouping: alternative styles

      6. 12. Provision supplementary to sections 9 to 11

      7. 13. Constitution of parish meeting, etc

      8. 14. Constitution and powers of parish council

      9. 15. Chairman and vice-chairman of parish council or meeting

      10. 16. Parish councillors

      11. 17.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. Miscellaneous

      1. 17A.Alternative styles: supplementary

      2. 18. Establishment of new authorities in England

      3. 19. Extent of Part I

  2. Part II

    Local Government Areas and Authorities in Wales

    1. New local government areas

      1. 20. New principal local government areas in Wales

    2. Principal councils

      1. 21. Constitution of principal councils in Wales

    3. Members of principal councils

      1. 22. Chairman

      2. 23. Election of chairman

      3. 24. Vice-chairman

      4. 25. Term of office and retirement of councillors

      5. 25A. Title of chairman or vice-chairman of county borough council

      6. 26. Elections of councillors

    4. Communities

      1. 27. Community meetings and continuation of community councils

      2. 28. Establishment or dissolution of community councils

      3. 29. Community councils for groups of communities

      4. 29A. Community councils for groups of communities: dissolution

      5. 29B. Community councils: applications under section 28, 29 or 29A

      6. 30. Restriction on community applications during and after reviews

      7. 31. Provision supplementary to sections 27 to 29

      8. 32. Constitution of community meeting

      9. 33. Constitution and powers of community councils

      10. 33A. Consultation with community councils

      11. 34. Chairman and vice-chairman of community council

      12. 35. Community councillors

      13. 36.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. Miscellaneous

      1. 37. Establishment of principal councils in Wales

      2. 38. Extent of Part II

  3. Part III

    1. 39–45.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  4. Part IV

    Changes in Local Government Areas

    1. Proposals by Local Government Boundary Commission for England

      1. 46.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 47.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 48.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 49.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 50.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 51.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 52.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Proposals by Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

      1. 53. Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

      2. 54. Proposals for changes in local government areas in Wales

      3. 55. Review of local government areas in Wales

      4. 56. Power of Secretary of State to direct holding of reviews

      5. 57. Substantive changes in electoral arrangements

      6. 58. Commission’s reports and their implementation

      7. 59. Directions about reviews

    3. Conduct of reviews

      1. 60. Procedure for reviews

      2. 61. Local inquiries

    4. Border between England and Wales

      1. 62.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. Initial reviews

      1. 63.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 64. Review of electoral arrangements for Welsh principal areas

    6. Supplementary provisions

      1. 65. Delegation of functions of Commission

      2. 66.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 67. Consequential and transitional arrangements relating to Part IV

      4. 68. Transitional agreements as to property and finance

      5. 69. Variation and revocation of orders under Part IV, etc

    7. Miscellaneous

      1. 70. Restriction on promotion of Bills for changing local government areas, etc

      2. 71. Modification of seaward boundaries of local government areas

      3. 72. Accretions from the sea, etc

      4. 73. Alteration of local boundaries consequent on alteration of water-course

      5. 74. Change of name of county, district or London borough

      6. 75. Change of name of parish

      7. 76. Change of name of community

      8. 77.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      9. 78. Supplementary

  5. Part V

    General Provisions as to Members and Proceedings of Local Authorities

    1. Qualifications and disqualifications

      1. 79. Qualifications for election and holding office as member of local authority

      2. 80. Disqualifications for election and holding office as member of local authority

      3. 81. Exceptions to provisions of section 80

      4. 82. Validity of acts done by unqualified persons

    2. Acceptance, resignation and vacation of office, and casual vacancies

      1. 83. Declaration of acceptance of office

      2. 84. Resignation

      3. 85. Vacation of office by failure to attend meetings

      4. 86. Declaration by local authority of vacancy in office in certain cases

      5. 87. Date of casual vacancies

      6. 88. Filling of casual vacancy in case of chairman, etc

      7. 89. Filling of casual vacancies in case of councillors

      8. 90. Term of office of persons filling casual vacancies

      9. 91. Temporary appointment of members of parish and community councils

    3. Proceedings for disqualification

      1. 92. Proceedings for disqualification

    4. Restrictions on voting

      1. 93.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 94. Disability of members of authorities for voting on account of interest in contracts, etc

      3. 95. Pecuniary interests for purposes of section 94

      4. 96. General notices and recording of disclosures for purposes of section 94

      5. 97. Removal or exclusion of disability, etc

      6. 98.Interpretation of sections 95 and 97

    5. Meetings and proceedings

      1. 99. Meetings and proceedings of local authorities

      2. 100. Admission of public and press to local authority committee meetings

  6. Part VA

    Access to Meetings and Documents of Certain Authorities, Committees and Sub-Committees

    1. 100A. Admission to meetings of principal councils (E)

    2. 100A. Admission to meetings of principal councils (W)

    3. 100B. Access to agenda and connected reports (E)

    4. 100B. Access to agenda and connected reports (W)

    5. 100C. Inspection of minutes and other documents after meetings

    6. 100D. Inspection of background papers

    7. 100E. Application to committees and sub-committees

    8. 100EA.Inspection of records relating to functions exercisable by members

    9. 100F. Additional rights of access to documents for members of principal councils (E)

    10. 100F. Additional rights of access to documents for members of principal councils (W)

    11. 100G. Principal councils to publish additional information

    12. 100H. Supplemental provisions and offences

    13. 100I. Exempt information and power to vary Schedule 12A

    14. 100J. Application to new authorities, Common Council, etc

    15. 100K. Interpretation and application of Part VA

  7. Part VI

    Discharge of Functions

    1. 101. Arrangements for discharge of functions by local authorities

    2. 102. Appointment of committes

    3. 103. Expenses of joint committees

    4. 104. Disqualification for membership of committees and joint committees

    5. 105. Disability for voting on account of interest in contracts, etc

    6. 106. Standing orders

    7. 107. Application of foregoing provisions to police authorities

    8. 108. Committees of parish meetings

    9. 109. Conferring functions of parish council on parish meeting

    10. 110.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  8. Part VII

    Miscellaneous Powers of Local Authorities

    1. Subsidiary powers

      1. 111. Subsidiary powers of local authorities

    2. Staff

      1. 112. Appointment of staff

      2. 113. Placing of staff of local authorities at disposal of other local authorities

      3. 114. Security to be taken in relation to officers

      4. 115. Accountability of officers

      5. 116. Members of local authorities not to be appointed as officers

      6. 117. Disclosure by officers of interest in contracts

      7. 118. Payment of salary, etc., due to mentally disordered person

      8. 119. Payments due to deceased officers

    3. Land transactions — principal councils

      1. 120. Acquisition of land by agreement by principal councils

      2. 121. Acquisition of land compulsorily by principal councils

      3. 122. Appropriation of land by principal councils

      4. 123. Disposal of land by principal councils

      5. 123A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. Land transactions—parish and community councils

      1. 124. Acquisition of land by agreement by parish and community councils

      2. 125. Compulsory acquisition of land on behalf of parish or community councils

      3. 126. Appropriation of land by parish and community councils and by parish meetings

      4. 127. Disposal of land held by parishes and communities

    5. Land transactions—general provisions

      1. 128. Consents to land transactions by local authorities and protection of purchasers

      2. 129. Payment of purchase or compensation money by one local authority to another

      3. 130. Acquisition by local authorities of lands belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster

      4. 131. Savings

    6. Premises and contracts

      1. 132. Provision of offices, etc. by principal councils

      2. 133. Provision of parish and community buildings

      3. 134. Use of schoolroom, etc. in parish or community

      4. 135. Contracts of local authorities

    7. Miscellaneous

      1. 136. Contributions towards expenditure on concurrent functions

      2. 137. Power of local authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised

      3. 137A. Financial assistance to be conditional on provision of information

      4. 138. Powers of principal councils with respect to emergencies or disasters

      5. 139. Acceptance of gifts of property

      6. 140. Insurance by local authorities against accidents to members

      7. 140A. Insurance of voluntary assistants of local authorities

      8. 140B. Insurance of voluntary assistants of probation committee

      9. 140C. Provisions supplementary to sections 140A, 140B

      10. 141. Research and the collection of information

      11. 142. Provision of information, etc., relating to matters affecting local government

      12. 143. Subscriptions to local government associations

      13. 144. Power to encourage visitors and provide conference and other facilities

      14. 145. Provision of entertainments

      15. 146. Transfer of securities on alteration of area, etc

      16. 146A. Joint Authorities and Inner London Education Authority

  9. Part VIII

    Finance

    1. Expenses and receipts

      1. 147.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 148. Principal councils’ funds and accounts

      3. 149.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 150. Expenses of parish and community councils

      5. 151. Financial administration

      6. 152. Revenues from undertakings

      7. 153. Application of capital money on disposal of land

      8. 154–167.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Miscellaneous provisions as to finance and rating

      1. 168. Local financial returns

      2. 169. Initial expenses of new authorities

      3. 170.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 171.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 172. Miscellaneous amendments of enactments relating to finance and rating

    3. Allowances to members of local authorities and other bodies

      1. 173. Attendance allowance and financial loss allowance

      2. 173A. Right to opt for financial loss allowance

      3. 174. Travelling allowance and subsistence allowance

      4. 175. Allowances for attending conferences and meetings

      5. 176. Payment of expenses of official and courtesy visits, etc

      6. 177. Provisions supplementary to sections 173 to 176

      7. 177A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 178. Regulations as to allowances

  10. Part IX

    Functions

    1. General

      1. 179. General provision for transfer of functions

    2. The environment

      1. 180. Public health

      2. 181. Water and sewerage

      3. 182. Town and Country Planning

      4. 183.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 184. National Park and countryside functions

      6. 185. Town development

      7. 186. Traffic and transportation functions

      8. 187. Local highway authorities and maintenance powers of district councils

      9. 188.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      10. 189. Commons

      11. 190. Sites for gipsy encampments

      12. 191. Ordnance survey

    3. Education, social and welfare services

      1. 192.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 193, 194... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 195. Social services functions

    4. Miscellaneous functions

      1. 196.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 197. Fire services

      3. 198, 199... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 200.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 201.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 202. Public transport in passenger transport areas

      7. 203.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 204. Licensing: licensed premises, cinemas, theatres and refreshment houses

      9. 205.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      10. 206. Public libraries and museums (England)

      11. 207.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      12. 208. Amendments of Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964

      13. 209.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      14. 210. Charities

      15. 211. Welsh Church funds

      16. 212.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      17. 213. Local licence duties

      18. 214. Cemeteries and crematoria

      19. 215. Maintenance of a closed churchyard

  11. Part X

    Judicial and Related Matters

    1. 216. Adaptation of law relating to old counties

    2. 217.

    3. 218.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. 219. Sheriffs and under-sheriffs

    5. 220.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    6. 221. Abolition of borough civil courts

  12. Part XI

    General Provisions as to Local Authorities

    1. Legal proceedings

      1. 222. Power of local authorities to prosecute or defend legal proceedings

      2. 223. Appearance of local authorities in legal proceedings

    2. Documents and notices, etc

      1. 224. Arrangements by principal councils for custody of documents

      2. 225. Deposit of documents with proper officer of authority, etc

      3. 226. Custody of parish and community documents

      4. 227. Provision of depositories for parish and community documents

      5. 228. Inspection of documents

      6. 229. Photographic copies of documents

      7. 230. Reports and returns

      8. 231. Service of notices on local authorities, etc

      9. 232. Public notices

      10. 233. Service of notices by local authorities

      11. 234. Authentication of documents

    3. Byelaws

      1. 235. Power of councils to make byelaws for good rule and government and suppression of nuisances

      2. 236. Procedure etc., for byelaws

      3. 237. Offences against byelaws

      4. 238. Evidence of byelaws

    4. Miscellaneous provisions

      1. 239. Power to promote or oppose local or personal Bills

      2. 240. Provisional orders and orders subject to special parliamentary procedure

      3. 241. Power to apply provisions of Act to joint boards, etc

      4. 242. Effect of inaccurate description

      5. 243. Computation of time and timing of elections, etc

      6. 244. Saving of transfer of certain powers under local Acts from Treasury to Secretary of State

      7. 244A. Application of this Part to London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority

  13. Part XII

    Miscellaneous and General

    1. Status, etc

      1. 245. Status of certain districts, parishes and communities

      2. 245A. Change of status of Welsh county to county borough

      3. 245B. Community having the status of a town

      4. 246. Preservation of powers, privileges and rights of existing cities or boroughs

      5. 247. Transfer of armorial bearings from old to new authorities

      6. 248. Freemen and inhabitants of existing boroughs

      7. 249. Honorary aldermen and freemen

    2. Inquiries

      1. 250. Power to direct inquiries

    3. General

      1. 251. Consequential and minor modifications and amendments

      2. 252. General power to adapt Acts and instruments

      3. 253. Transfer of powers of certain public bodies

      4. 254. Consequential and supplementary provision

      5. 255. Transfer of officers

      6. 256. Continuity of employment in cases of voluntary transfer

      7. 257. Staff commission for England

      8. 258. Staff commission for Wales

      9. 259. Compensation for loss of office

      10. 260. Provision for early retirement in lieu of compensation for loss of office

      11. 261. Remuneration of employees of existing local authorities outside Greater London

      12. 262. Local Acts and instruments

      13. 263. Existing joint boards and committees and port health districts

      14. 264.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      15. 265. Application of Act to Isles of Scilly

      16. 265A. Application in relation to the Broads Authority

      17. 266. Orders, rules and regulations

      18. 267. Expenses

      19. 268.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      20. 269. Meaning of “England” and “Wales”

      21. 270. General provisions as to interpretation

      22. 271. Savings

      23. 272. Repeals

      24. 273. Commencement

      25. 274. Short title and extent

  14. SCHEDULE 1

    Counties and Metropolitan Districts in England

  15. SCHEDULE 2

    Constitution and Membership of Greater London Council and London Borough Councils

  16. SCHEDULE 3

    Establishment of New Authorities in England

  17. SCHEDULE 4

    Local Government Areas in Wales

  18. Schedule 5

    Establishment of New Principal Councils

  19. SCHEDULE 6

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  20. SCHEDULE 7

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  21. SCHEDULE 8

    Constitution and Proceedings of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

  22. SCHEDULE 9

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  23. SCHEDULE 10

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  24. SCHEDULE 11

    Rules to be Observed in Considering Electoral Arrangements

  25. SCHEDULE 12

    Meetings and Proceedings of Local Authorities

  26. SCHEDULE 12A

    ACCESS TO INFORMATION: EXEMPT INFORMATION

  27. SCHEDULE 12B

    Appropriate sum under section 137(4)

  28. SCHEDULE 13

    Loans and Other Financial Provisions

  29. SCHEDULE 14

    Amendment and Modification of Public Health Acts, Etc

  30. SCHEDULE 15

  31. SCHEDULE 16

    Functions Under, and Amendment and Modification of, Enactments Relating to Town and Country Planning

  32. SCHEDULE 17

    Functions with Respect to National Parks and the Countryside

  33. SCHEDULE 18

    AMENDMENTS OF TOWN DEVELOPMENT ACT 1952

  34. SCHEDULE 19

    AMENDMENTS OF ENACTMENTS RELATING TO ROAD TRAFFIC AND ABANDONED VEHICLES

  35. SCHEDULE 20

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  36. SCHEDULE 21

    AMENDMENTS OF ENACTMENTS RELATING TO HIGHWAYS

  37. SCHEDULE 22

    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  38. SCHEDULE 23

    AMENDMENTS OF ENACTMENTS CONFERRING SOCIAL SERVICES FUNCTIONS

  39. SCHEDULE 24

    Amendments of Transport Act 1968, Part II

  40. SCHEDULE 25

    Amendments of Licensing Enactments

  41. SCHEDULE 26

    Cemeteries and Crematoria

  42. SCHEDULE 27

  43. SCHEDULE 28

  44. SCHEDULE 29

    Adaptation, Modification and Amendment of Enactments

  45. SCHEDULE 30

    Repeals

An Act to make provision with respect to local government and the functions of local authorities in England and Wales; to amend Part II of the Transport Act 1968; to confer rights of appeal in respect of decisions relating to licences under the Home Counties (Music and Dancing) Licensing Act 1926; to make further provision with respect to magistrates’ courts committees; to abolish certain inferior courts of record; and for connected purposes.

[26th October 1972]

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Act applied (12.3.1991) by S.I. 1991/993, arts. 1(1),28

Act construed as one with 1994 c. 19 (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 64(3), 66(2) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2))

Act restricted (3.4.1995) by 1994 c. 19, s. 30(2) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1995/852, art. 5

Act restricted (temp. 6.5.1996 to 31.3.1997) by S.I. 1995/1770, art. 16(a)

Act extended (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 532, 583(2) (with s. 1(4))

Act applied (1.7.1997) by 1997 c. 23, ss. 1(4), 9(2), Sch. 1 para. 2(c) (with s. 7(3), Sch. 2 para. 6)

Act: transfer of functions (subject to specified exceptions)(1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

C2Act extended by Charlwood and Horley Act 1974 (c. 11), s. 2

C3Words of enactment omitted under authority of Statute Law Revision Act 1948 (c. 62), s. 3

C4Act modified by S.I. 1979/1123, arts. 4(2), 5

C5Power to modify Act conferred by Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 39(6)(7)

C6Act modified by Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2, SIF 42), s. 40(2)

Commencement Information

I1Act partly in force at Royal Assent see s. 273; Act wholly in force 1.4.1974

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