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Revised Statute from The UK Statute Law Database

Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65)

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 It is not necessarily in the form in which it was originally enacted but is a revised version, which means that any subsequent amendments to the text and other effects are incorporated with annotations.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 years: 2008 and 2009. See the Tables of Legislative effects and the Update status of legislation page on the SLD website.

Royal arms

Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973

1973 CHAPTER 65

Contents

Go to Preamble

  1. Part I

    Local Government Areas, Authorities and Elections

    1. New areas and councils

      1. 1.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 2.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 3.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 3A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Election of Councillors

      1. 4.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 5.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 6–10.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 11.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

  2. Part II

    Changes in Local Government Areas

    1. Proposals by Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

      1. 12. Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

      2. 13. Proposals for changes in local government areas

      3. 14. Duty and power to review local government areas

      4. 15. Powers of Secretary of State in relation to reviews

      5. 16. Substantive changes in electoral arrangements

      6. 17. Commission’s reports and their implementation

    2. Conduct of Reviews

      1. 18. Procedure for reviews

      2. 19. Local inquiries

    3. Supplementary Provisions

      1. 20. First review of electoral arrangements

      2. 21. Delegation of functions of Commission

      3. 22. Restriction on promotion of private legislation for changing local government areas, etc

      4. 23. Change of name of local government area

      5. 24. Consequential and transitional arrangements relating to Part II

      6. 25. Transitional agreements as to property and finance

      7. 26. Variation and revocation of orders under Part II

      8. 27. Consultation with Boundary Commission on schemes for community councils

      9. 28. Supplementary

  3. Part III

    General Provisions as to Members of Local Authorities and Proceedings

    1. Qualifications and disqualifications

      1. 29. Qualifications for nomination, election and holding office as member of local authority

      2. 30. Re-election

      3. 31. Disqualifications for nomination, election and holding office as member of local authority

      4. 31A.Disqualification of officers, employees etc. from remaining members of local authority

      5. 32. Proceedings for disqualification

      6. 33. Validity of acts done by unqualified persons

    2. Acceptance of Office

      1. 33A. Declaration of acceptance of office of councillor

    3. Resignation and Vacation of Office

      1. 34. Resignation

      2. 35. Vacation of office by failure to attend meetings

      3. 36. Casual vacancies

      4. 37. Filling of casual vacancies

    4. Restrictions on voting

      1. 38. Disability of members of authorities for voting on account of interest in contracts, etc

      2. 39.Pecuniary interests for purposes of section 38

      3. 40.General notices and recording of disclosures for purposes of section 38

      4. 41. Removal or exclusion of disability, etc

      5. 42. Interpretation of sections 39 and 41

    5. Meetings and proceedings

      1. 43. Meetings and proceedings of local authorities

      2. 44.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    6. Allowances to members of local authorities and other bodies

      1. 45.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 45A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 46. Travelling allowance and subsistence allowance

      4. 47. Allowances for attending conferences and meetings

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

      6. 49. Provisions supplementary to sections 45 to 48

      7. 49A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 50. Regulations as to allowances

  4. Part IIIA

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

    1. 50A. Admission to meetings of local authorities

    2. 50B. Access to agenda and connected reports

    3. 50C. Inspection of minutes and other documents after meetings

    4. 50D. Inspection of background papers

    5. 50E. Application to committees and sub-committees

    6. 50F. Additional rights of access to documents for members of local authorities

    7. 50G. Local authorities to publish additional information

    8. 50H. Supplemental provisions and offences

    9. 50J. Exempt information

    10. 50K. Interpretation and application of Part IIIA

  5. Part IV

    Community Councils

    1. 51. Establishment and general purpose of community councils

    2. 52. Schemes

    3. 53. Amendment of schemes

    4. 54.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. 55. Assistance to community councils

  6. Part V

    Internal Organisation

    1. Discharge of functions

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

      2. 57. Appointment of committees

      3. 58. Expenses of joint committees

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

      5. 60. Disability for voting on account of interests in contracts, etc

      6. 61. Membership of bodies to cease on ceasing to be member of authority

      7. 62. Standing orders, etc

      8. 62A. Incorporation of joint committees

      9. 62B. Power of Secretary of State to establish joint boards

      10. 62C. Further provisions relating to joint boards

      11. 63. Application of foregoing provisions of Part V to police authorities and joint police committees

      12. 63A. Sections 62A to 62C not to apply to fire authority

    2. Staff

      1. 64. Appointment etc. of staff

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

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

      4. 67. Members of local authorities not to be appointed as officers etc

      5. 68. Disclosure by officers of interest in contracts

  7. Part VI

    Miscellaneous Powers of Local Authorities

    1. Subsidiary powers

      1. 69. Subsidiary powers of local authorities

    2. Land transactions

      1. 70. Acquisition of land by agreement

      2. 71. Acquisition of land compulsorily

      3. 72. Title to land

      4. 73. Appropriation of land

      5. 74. Disposal of land

      6. 74A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 75. Disposal, etc., of land forming part of the common good

      8. 76. Special provisions as to land acquired for public recreation from heir of entail

      9. 77. Payment of purchase or compensation money by one local authority to another

    3. Buildings, contracts, etc

      1. 78. Power to erect buildings, etc

      2. 79. Provision of offices, etc

      3. 80. Interpretation of “functions”

      4. 81. Contracts of local authorities

    4. Private legislation

      1. 82. Power of local authority to promote or oppose private legislation

    5. Miscellaneous

      1. 83. Power of local authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised

      2. 84. Powers of local authorities with respect to emergencies or disasters

      3. 85. Acceptance of gifts of property

      4. 86. Insurance by local authorities against accidents to members

      5. 87. Research and the collection of information

      6. 88. Provision of information, etc., relating to matters affecting local government

      7. 89. Subscriptions to local government associations

      8. 90. Powers of local authority to carry on tourism-related activities

      9. 90A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      10. 91.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      11. 92. Transfer of securities on alteration of area, etc

  8. Part VII

    Finance

    1. Funds, revenue and expenses

      1. 93. General fund

      2. 94. Capital expenses

      3. 95. Financial administration

    2. Accounts and audit

      1. 96. Accounts and audit

      2. 97. Establishment of Commission for Local Authority Accounts in Scotland

      3. 97A. Studies for improving economy etc. in services

      4. 97B. Furnishing of information and documents to Commission

      5. 98. Expenses and accounts of Commission

      6. 99. General duties of auditors

      7. 100. Auditor’s right of access to documents

      8. 101. Right of interested person to inspect and object to accounts: completion of audit

      9. 101A. Reference of social security matters to Secretary of State

      10. 102. Reports to Commission by Controller of Audit

      11. 103. Action by Commission on reports by Controller of Audit

      12. 103A. Publication of special reports

      13. 103B. Action by Commission on receipt of special reports

      14. 103C. Hearings on special reports

      15. 103D. Findings of hearings

      16. 103E. Action by local authorities on receipt of findings under section 103D

      17. 103F. Action on finding of failure, negligence or misconduct

      18. 103G. Interim reports on investigations and action thereon

      19. 103H. Protection from actions of defamation

      20. 103J. Appeals from Commission

      21. 104.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      22. 104A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      23. 105. Regulations as to accounts

      24. 105A. Studies of benefit administration at request of Secretary of State

      25. 106. Application of ss. 93 to 105 to bodies other than local authorities and to officers

    3. Rating

      1. 107.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 108–108C.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 109.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 110.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 110A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 111. Secretary of State may make regulations with respect to rates

      7. 112—114... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 115.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    4. Valuation

      1. 116.

      2. 117.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    5. Miscellaneous

      1. 118. Local financial returns

      2. 119.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 120. Rate support grant

      4. 121.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 122. Miscellaneous amendments of enactments relating to finance

      6. 122A. Duty of local authority to use resources efficiently

  9. Part VIII

    Functions

    1. Education

      1. 123. Education authorities

      2. 124. Membership of committees appointed by education authorities

      3. 125.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 126. Disqualification for membership of committees appointed by education authorities

      5. 127.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 128. Educational endowments

      7. 129.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Housing

      1. 130. Housing

      2. 131.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 132.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. The environment

      1. 133. Roads

      2. 134. Building

      3. 135.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 135A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 136. Deposit of poisonous waste

      6. 137. Flood prevention and flood warning systems

      7. 138. Coast protection

      8. 139.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      9. 140.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      10. 141. Public conveniences

      11. 142.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      12. 143.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      13. 144.†Diseases of animals, and plant health

      14. 145. Ordnance Survey

    4. Miscellaneous functions

      1. 146. Police

      2. 147. Fire services

      3. 148. Water

      4. 149.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 150. Schedule 18 to continue to have effect

      6. 151.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 152.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 153. Ferries

      9. 154. Piers and Harbours

      10. 154A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      11. 154B.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      12. 155. Factories

      13. 156. Offices, shops and railway premises

      14. 157.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      15. 158.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      16. 159.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      17. 160.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      18. 161.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      19. 162.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      20. 163. Public libraries, museums and art galleries

      21. 164.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      22. 165. Spray irrigation

      23. 166. Registration of births, deaths and marriages

      24. 167.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      25. 168.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      26. 169. Burial grounds, churchyards etc

      27. 170. War memorials

    5. Heating and electricity

      1. 170A. Production and supply of heat and electricity etc. by local authorities

      2. 170B. Provisions supplementary to s. 170A

      3. 171. Miscellaneous functions, etc

  10. Part XVIIIA

    Economic Development

    1. 171A. Functions to include promotion of economic development

    2. 171B. Restrictions on promotion of economic development

    3. 171C. Exercise of certain powers to be subject to provisions of sections 171A and 171B

  11. Part IX

    Planning

    1. Planning authorities and plans

      1. 172. Planning authorities

      2. 173.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 174.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      4. 175.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      5. 176.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 177.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 178.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Development control

      1. 179.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 180.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 181.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    3. Miscellaneous

      1. 182.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 183.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      3. 184. Amendment of enactments relating to planning etc

  12. Part X

    Licensing, etc

    1. 185, 186... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Betting, Gaming and Lotteries

      1. 187. Authorities for purposes of betting, gaming and lotteries, etc

    3. Miscellaneous licensing, registration and related matters

      1. 188. Part III of Schedule 24 to continue to have effect

  13. Part XI

    General Provisions as to Local Authorities

    1. Legal Proceedings, Notices, etc

      1. 189. Legal proceedings

      2. 190. Service of legal proceedings, notices, etc., on local authorities

      3. 191. Claims in sequestrations and liquidations

      4. 192. Service of notices, etc., by local authority

      5. 193. Authentication of documents

      6. 194. Execution of deeds by local authority and use of seal

      7. 195. Public notices

      8. 196. Misnomers, etc., not to affect validity of notices, etc

      9. 197. Inspection and deposit of documents

      10. 198. Photographic copies of documents

      11. 199. Reports and returns

      12. 200.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    2. Byelaws

      1. 201. Byelaws for good rule and government

      2. 202. Procedure, etc., for byelaws

      3. 202A. Review of byelaws

      4. 202B. Register of byelaws

      5. 202C. Revocation of byelaws by resolution

      6. 203. Offences against byelaws

      7. 204. Evidence of byelaws

    3. Miscellaneous provisions

      1. 205.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      2. 206. Admission of honorary freemen

      3. 207. Limitation of rights of freemen

      4. 208. Provisions as to Sundays etc

  14. Part XII

    Miscellaneous, General and Transitional

    1. Miscellaneous

      1. 209. Removal or relaxation of controls affecting certain local authority functions

      2. 210. Power to direct inquiries

      3. 210A. Recovery of expenses of local inquiry

      4. 211. Provision for default of local authority

      5. 212. Limitation of liability of certain owners

      6. 213. Tweed Fisheries Commissioners

    2. General

      1. 214. Consequential and minor modifications and amendments

      2. 215. Consequential and supplementary provisions

      3. 216. Transfer of officers

      4. 217. Continuity of employment in cases of voluntary transfer

      5. 218—221... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      6. 222.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      7. 223.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      8. 224.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      9. 225. Local Acts and instruments

      10. 226.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      11. 227. Abolition of Dean of Guild Court

      12. 228. Abolition of fiars courts for counties, etc

      13. 229.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      14. 230.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

      15. 231. Application to sheriff in cases of difficulty

      16. 232. Provisions regarding applications to court

      17. 233. Orders, rules and regulations

      18. 234. Expenses

      19. 235. General provisions as to interpretation

      20. 236. Savings

      21. 237. Repeals

      22. 238. Short title, commencement and extent

  15. SCHEDULE 1

  16. SCHEDULE 2

  17. SCHEDULE 3

  18. SCHEDULE 4

    Constitution and Proceedings of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

  19. SCHEDULE 5

  20. SCHEDULE 6

    Rules to be Observed in Considering Electoral Arrangements

  21. SCHEDULE 7

    Meetings and Proceedings of Local Authorities

  22. SCHEDULE 7A

    Access to Information: Exempt Information

  23. SCHEDULE 8

    Provisions as to the Accounts Commission for Scotland

  24. SCHEDULE 9

    Amendments with respect to Finance

  25. SCHEDULE 10

  26. SCHEDULE 11

  27. SCHEDULE 12

    Amendment of Enactments Relating to Housing

  28. Schedule 13

  29. Schedule 14

  30. SCHEDULE 15

    Amendment of Enactments Relating to Building

  31. Schedule 16

    Amendment of Enactments Relating to River Purification

  32. SCHEDULE 17

    Amendment of Enactments relating to Water

  33. SCHEDULE 18

    Amendment of certain Enactments Relating to Transport

  34. Schedule 19

    Amendment of Enactments Relating to Piers, Harbours, Etc

  35. SCHEDULE 20

  36. SCHEDULE 21

    Amendment of Enactments Relating to Public Libraries, Museums and Art Galleries

  37. SCHEDULE 22

  38. Schedule 23

    Amendment of Enactments Relating to Planning

  39. Schedule 24

    Amendment of Enactments Relating to Licensing, etc

  40. Schedule 25

    Relaxation of Controls

  41. Schedule 26

    Amendments of the Tweed Fisheries Act 1969

  42. SCHEDULE 27

    Adaptation and Amendment of Enactments

  43. Schedule 28

  44. Schedule 29

    Repeals

An Act to make provision with respect to local government and the functions of local authorities in Scotland; to amend Part II of the Transport Act 1968; and for connected purposes.

[25th October 1973]

Annotations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Act extended (1.4.2001) by 2001 asp 2, S. 69(3)(a); S.S.I. 2001/132, art. 2(2) Sch Pt. 1

C2Act excluded by District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 20), s. 12; modified by Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2), s. 43(3)

C3Act explained by National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 16, SIF 78), s. 20(1)(3)

C4Act modified by Dockyard Services Act 1986 (c. 52, SIF 58), s. 3(1)(c) and by Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 (c. 47, SIF 77:2), s. 1, Sch. 1 para. 1(4)

C5Act applied with modifications by School Boards (Scotland) Act 1988 (c. 47, SIF 41:2), s. 11, Sch. 2 para. 5

C6Act excluded (19.12.1991) by City of Edinburgh District Council Order Confirmation Act 1991 (c. xix), s. 1, Sch., Pt. III, s.5.

C7Act excluded (19.12.1991) by City of Edinburgh District Council Order Confirmation Act 1991 (c. xix), s. 1, Sch., Pt. XII, s.49.

Commencement Information

I1Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 238(2); Act wholly in force 16.5.1975

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