Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Local Government Act 2000

Type Public General Act

Publication 2000-07-28

Last updated 2026-03-10

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(b) section 9KA (change to a different form of executive).

(5) If the proposed change in governance arrangements would result in the local authority having executive arrangements, the proposals must state the extent to which the functions specified in regulations under section 9D(3)(b) are to be the responsibility of the executive which will be operated if the proposals are implemented.

(6) The proposals (particularly any provision about timetables and transitional matters included in accordance with subsection (3)) must be such as to ensure that the proposed change can take effect (so far as required to) in accordance with section 9L(2).

(7) After drawing up the proposals, the local authority must—

(a) secure that copies of a document setting out the proposals are available at its principal office for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable times, and

(b) publish in one or more newspapers circulating in its area a notice which—

(i) states that the authority has drawn up the proposals,

(ii) describes the main features of the proposals,

(iii) states that copies of a document setting out the proposals are available at the authority's principal office for inspection by members of the public at such times as may be specified in the notice, and

(iv) specifies the address of the authority's principal office.

9MB

(1) This section applies to a local authority which wishes to make a change in governance arrangements that is subject to approval in a referendum under section 9M.

(2) The local authority must, after complying with section 9MA(7), hold a referendum on its proposals before taking any steps to implement them.

(3) The local authority may not pass a resolution which makes the proposed change unless the result of the referendum is to approve the proposals.

(4) Any such resolution must be passed

(a) within the period of 28 days beginning with the day when the referendum is held, or

(b) where paragraph (b) of section 9ND(7) (transfer of functions: changes in governance arrangements) applies, within the period of 28 days beginning with the day when the regulations mentioned in that subsection are amended or revoked.

(5) Any such resolution must be passed at a meeting which is specially convened for the purpose of deciding the resolution with notice of the object.

(6) See section 9ND for further provision about referendums under section 9M.

9MC

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for or in connection with requiring a local authority which receives a petition which complies with the provisions of the regulations to hold a referendum, in such circumstances as may be prescribed in the regulations, on whether the authority should have a relevant type of governance arrangement.

(2) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, include provision—

(a) as to the form and content of petitions (including provision for petitions in electronic form),

(b) as to the minimum number of local government electors for a local authority's area who must support any petition presented to the authority during any period specified in the regulations,

(c) for or in connection with requiring an officer of a local authority to publish the number of local government electors for the authority's area who must support any petition presented to the authority,

(d) as to the way in which local government electors for a local authority's area are to support a petition (including provision enabling local government electors to support petitions by telephone or by electronic means),

(e) as to the action which may, may not or must be taken by a local authority in connection with any petition,

(f) as to the manner in which a petition is to be presented to a local authority,

(g) as to the verification of any petition,

(h) as to the date on which, or the time by which, a referendum must be held,

(i) as to the action which may, may not or must be taken by a local authority before or in connection with a referendum,

(j) as to the action which may, may not or must be taken by a local authority after a referendum, and

(k) for or in connection with enabling the Secretary of State, in the event of any failure by a local authority to take any action permitted or required by virtue of the regulations, to take that action.

(3) Provision made by virtue of subsection (2) may, in particular, apply or reproduce (with or without modifications) any provisions of, or made under, this Chapter.

(4) The number of local government electors mentioned in subsection (2)(b) is to be calculated at such times as may be provided by regulations under this section and (unless such regulations otherwise provide) is to be 5 per cent of the number of local government electors at each of those times.

(5) This section is subject to section 9NA (effect of order requiring, and giving effect to, referendum on change to mayor and cabinet executive).

9MD

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for or in connection with enabling the Secretary of State, in such circumstances as may be prescribed in the regulations, to direct a local authority to hold a referendum on whether it should have a relevant type of governance arrangements specified in the direction.

(2) Regulations under this section may, in particular, include provision—

(a) as to the date on which, or the time by which, a referendum must be held,

(b) as to the action which may, may not or must be taken by a local authority before or in connection with a referendum,

(d) for or in connection with enabling the Secretary of State, in the event of any failure by a local authority to take any action permitted or required by virtue of the regulations, to take that action.

(3) Provision made by virtue of subsection (2) may, in particular, apply or reproduce (with or without modifications) any provisions of, or made under, this Chapter.

(4) This section is subject to section 9NA (effect of order requiring, and giving effect to, referendum on change to mayor and cabinet executive).

9ME

(1) The Secretary of State may by order make provision requiring every local authority, or every local authority falling within a description of authority specified in the order, to hold a referendum on whether they should have a relevant type of governance arrangements specified in the order.

(2) An order under this section may, in particular, include provision—

(a) as to the date on which, or the time by which, a referendum must be held,

(b) as to the action which may, may not or must be taken by a local authority before or in connection with a referendum,

(d) for or in connection with enabling the Secretary of State, in the event of any failure by a local authority to take any action permitted or required by virtue of the order, to take that action.

(3) Provision made by virtue of subsection (2) may, in particular, apply or reproduce (with or without modifications) any provisions of, or made under, this Chapter.

(4) This section is subject to section 9NA (effect of order requiring, and giving effect to, referendum on change to mayor and cabinet executive).

9MF

(1) If a local authority holds a referendum under this Chapter (“Referendum A”) it may not hold, or be required to hold, another referendum under this Chapter (“Referendum B”) within the period of ten years beginning with the date of Referendum A, unless

(a) subsection (2) or (3) applies, or

(b) subsection (3A) applies and Referendum B is held in accordance with subsection (3E).

(2) This subsection applies if—

(a) Referendum A was held by the authority by virtue of an order under section 9N (power by order to require, and give effect to, referendum on change to mayor and cabinet executive), and

(b) the proposal for the authority to operate a mayor and cabinet executive was rejected in Referendum A.

(3) This subsection applies if Referendum B is required to be held by virtue of an order made under section 9N.

(3A) This subsection applies if Referendum B is held under section 9M to approve a change in governance arrangements—

(a) under section 9K for the local authority to start to operate executive arrangements, or

(b) under section 9KA for the local authority to vary its executive arrangements so that they provide for a mayor and cabinet executive.

(3B) Where subsection (3A) applies, the local authority may submit a proposal to the Secretary of State for consent to hold Referendum B within the period of 10 years beginning with the date of Referendum A.

(3C) A proposal must specify—

(a) the change in governance arrangements that is subject to approval in Referendum B, and

(b) how the change is likely to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in the area of the local authority.

(3D) The Secretary of State may consent to a proposal only if the Secretary of State considers that the change in governance arrangements is likely to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of some or all of the people who live or work in the area of the local authority.

(3E) If the Secretary of State consents to a proposal, the local authority may hold Referendum B—

(a) within the 10 year period beginning with the date of Referendum A, but

(b) not later than the end of the 3 year period beginning with the date consent is given.

(3F) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about—

(a) the matters which must be addressed by a proposal under this section, and

(b) how a proposal is to be considered by the Secretary of State.

(4) If the result of a referendum held by virtue of regulations, an order or a direction made under any provision of this Chapter is to approve the proposals to which the referendum relates, the local authority concerned must implement those proposals.

(5) If the result of a referendum held by virtue of regulations, an order or a direction made under any provision of this Chapter is to reject the proposals to which the referendum relates, the local authority concerned may not implement those proposals.

(6) Subsections (4) and (5) do not apply to a referendum held by virtue of section 9N (but see section 9N(2)(c)).

(7) See section 9ND (transfer of functions: changes in governance arrangements) for further provision about referendums under section 9MC.

9MG

(1) The persons entitled to vote in a referendum held by a local authority under this Chapter are those who on the day of the referendum—

(a) would be entitled to vote as electors at an election of councillors for an electoral area which is situated within the authority's area, and

(b) are registered in the register of local government electors at an address within the authority's area.

(2) The Secretary of State ... may by regulations make provision as to the conduct of referendums under this Chapter.

(3) The Secretary of State ... may by regulations make provision for the combination of polls at referendums under this Chapter with polls at any elections.

(4) Regulations under subsection (2) or (3) may apply or incorporate, with or without modifications or exceptions, any provision of any enactment (whenever passed or made) relating to elections or referendums.

(5) Regulations under subsection (2) may, in particular, include provision—

(a) as to the question to be asked in a referendum,

(b) as to the publicity to be given in connection with a referendum (including the publicity to be given with respect to the consequences of the referendum),

(c) about the limitation of expenditure in connection with a referendum (and the creation of criminal offences in connection with the limitation of such expenditure),

(d) as to the conduct of the authority, members of the authority and officers of the authority in relation to a referendum,

(e) as to when, where and how voting in a referendum is to take place,

(f) as to how the votes cast in a referendum are to be counted, and

(g) for disregarding alterations in a register of electors.

(6) Before making any regulations under this section that include provision as to the question to be asked in a referendum, the Secretary of State ... must consult the Electoral Commission.

Further provisions as to mayor and cabinet executive

9N

(1) The Secretary of State may by order require a specified local authority to hold a referendum on whether the authority should operate a mayor and cabinet executive.

(2) An order under this section may include provision—

(a) as to the date on which, or the time by which, a referendum must be held,

(b) as to the action which may, may not or must be taken by a local authority before or in connection with a referendum,

(c) as to the effect of a referendum and the action which may, may not or must be taken by a local authority after a referendum,

(d) for or in connection with enabling the Secretary of State, in the event of any failure by a local authority to take any action permitted or required by virtue of the order, to take that action.

(3) Provision made by virtue of subsection (2) may, in particular, apply or reproduce (with or without modifications) any provisions of, or made under, this Chapter.

(4) In this section “specified” means specified in an order made by the Secretary of State under this section.

9NA

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

9NB

(1) This section applies to a change in governance arrangements of the kind set out in section 9KB (variation of executive arrangements) if the local authority is operating a mayor and cabinet executive.

(2) The local authority may not resolve to make a change in governance arrangements unless the elected mayor has given written consent to the proposed change.

Miscellaneous

9O

(1) A local authority may not—

(a) cease to operate a form of governance, or

(b) vary executive arrangements,

other than in accordance with this Chapter.

(2) In making a change in governance arrangements, the local authority must comply with any directions given by the Secretary of State in connection with the making of such a change.

9OA

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Chapter.

(2) References to a change in governance arrangements are references to any change of a kind set out in sections 9K to 9KB.

(3) References to a relevant type of governance arrangement are references to—

(a) a leader and cabinet executive (England);

(b) a mayor and cabinet executive;

(d) any prescribed arrangements.

(4) References to a form of governance are references to—

(a) executive arrangements;

(b) a committee system;

CHAPTER 5 — Supplementary

Local authority constitution

9P

(1) A local authority must prepare and keep up to date a document (referred to in this section as its constitution) which contains—

(a) a copy of the authority's standing orders for the time being,

(b) a copy of the authority's code of conduct (if any) for the time being under section 28 of the Localism Act 2011,

(d) such other information (if any) as the authority considers appropriate.

(2) In the case of a committee system local authority, the authority's constitution must also contain a statement as to whether the authority has resolved to have an overview and scrutiny committee under section 9JA.

(3) A local authority must ensure that copies of its constitution are available at its principal office for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable hours.

(4) A local authority must supply a copy of its constitution to any person who requests a copy and who pays to the authority such reasonable fee as the authority may determine.

Guidance

9Q

(1) A local authority must have regard to any guidance for the time being issued by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this Part.

(2) Guidance under this section may make different provision for different cases or descriptions of local authority.

Interpretation

9R

(1) In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—

“committee system” has the meaning given by section 9B,

“committee system local authority” has the meaning given by section 9J(3),

“elected mayor” has the meaning given by section 9H,

“electoral area” has the meaning given by section 203(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983,

“enactment” includes an enactment contained in a local Act or comprised in subordinate legislation (within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978),

“executive”, in relation to a local authority, is to be construed in accordance with section 9C,

“executive arrangements” has the meaning given by section 9B,

“executive leader” has the meaning given by section 9C(3)(a),

“leader and cabinet executive (England)” has the meaning given by section 9C(3),

“local authority” means a county council in England, a district council or a London borough council,

“local government elector” has the meaning given by section 270(1) of the Local Government Act 1972,

“mayor and cabinet executive” has the meaning given by section 9C(2),

“ordinary day of election”, in relation to a local authority, means the day of ordinary elections of councillors of the authority,

“the political balance requirements” means the provisions made by or under sections 15 to 17 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Local Government and Housing Act 1989,

“prescribed arrangements” has the meaning give by section 9B, and

(2) In this Part “relevant election years”, in relation to a local authority, means the years specified in the second column of the following table in relation to that type of authority.

Type of local authority	Relevant election years
Metropolitan district	2014 and every fourth year afterwards
County	2013 and every fourth year afterwards
London borough	2014 and every fourth year afterwards
Non-metropolitan district	2011 and every fourth year afterwards

(3) Any reference in this Part to the chairman of a local authority—

(a) is a reference to that person whether or not the person is entitled to another style, and

(b) in the case of a London borough, is a reference to the person who (disregarding paragraphs 5B to 5I of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 1972) is referred to in Part 1 of that Schedule as the mayor of the borough.

(4) Any reference in this Part to the vice-chairman of a local authority—

(a) is a reference to that person whether or not the person is entitled to another style, and

(b) in the case of a London borough, is a reference to the person who (disregarding paragraphs 5B to 5I of Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 1972) is referred to in Part 1 of that Schedule as the deputy mayor.

(5) Any reference in this Part to the discharge of any functions includes a reference to the doing of anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of those functions.

(6) Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 does not apply to the function of the passing of a resolution under any provision made by or under this Part.

(7) Any functions conferred on a local authority by virtue of this Part are not to be the responsibility of an executive of the authority under executive arrangements.

(8) Any directions given by the Secretary of State under any provision of this Part—

(a) may be varied or revoked by subsequent directions given by the Secretary of State under that provision, and

(b) may make different provision for different cases, different local authorities or different descriptions of local authority.

SCHEDULE A1

Mayor and cabinet executives

1

(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by a local authority which provide for a mayor and cabinet executive.

(2) Subject to section 9C(5), the executive arrangements must include provision which enables the elected mayor to determine the number of councillors who may be appointed to the executive under section 9C(2)(b).

(3) The executive arrangements must include provision which requires the elected mayor to appoint one of the members of the executive to be the elected mayor's deputy (referred to in this paragraph as the deputy mayor).

(4) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), the person who is appointed deputy mayor, unless the person resigns as deputy mayor or ceases to be a member of the authority, is to hold office until the end of the term of office of the elected mayor.

(5) The elected mayor may, if the elected mayor thinks fit, remove the deputy mayor from office.

(6) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of deputy mayor, the elected mayor must appoint another person to be deputy mayor.

(7) If for any reason the elected mayor is unable to act or the office of elected mayor is vacant, the deputy mayor must act in the elected mayor's place.

(8) If for any reason—

(a) the elected mayor is unable to act or the office of elected mayor is vacant, and

(b) the deputy mayor is unable to act or the office of deputy mayor is vacant,

the executive must act in the elected mayor's place or must arrange for a member of the executive to act in the elected mayor's place.

Leader and cabinet executives (England)

2

(1) This paragraph applies in relation to executive arrangements by a local authority which provide for a leader and cabinet executive (England).

(2) Subject to section 9C(5), the executive arrangements must include provision which enables the executive leader to determine the number of councillors who may be appointed to the executive under section 9C(3)(b).

(3) The executive arrangements must include provision which requires the executive leader to appoint one of the members of the executive to be the executive leader's deputy (referred to in this paragraph as the deputy executive leader).

(4) Subject to sub-paragraph (5), the person who is appointed deputy executive leader, unless the person resigns as deputy executive leader or ceases to be a member of the authority, is to hold office until the end of any term of office of the executive leader (where the executive arrangements provide for such a term).

(5) The executive leader may, if the executive leader thinks fit, remove the deputy executive leader from office.

(6) Where a vacancy occurs in the office of deputy executive leader, the executive leader must appoint another person to be deputy executive leader.

(7) If for any reason the executive leader is unable to act or the office of executive leader is vacant, the deputy executive leader must act in the executive leader's place.

(8) If for any reason—

(a) the executive leader is unable to act or the office of executive leader is vacant, and

(b) the deputy executive leader is unable to act or the office of deputy executive leader is vacant,

the executive must act in the executive leader's place or must arrange for a member of the executive to act in the executive leader's place.

Procedure

3

Executive arrangements by a local authority may include provision with respect to—

(a) the quorum, proceedings and location of meetings of the executive,

(b) the appointment of committees of the executive, and

Meetings of executives and executive committees

4

A member of a local authority who is not a member of the authority's executive is entitled to attend, and speak at, a meeting of the executive, or of a committee of the executive, which is held in private only if invited to do so.

Mayor's assistant

5

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for or in connection with the appointment of a person (an “assistant”) to provide assistance to an elected mayor.

(2) Regulations under this paragraph may, in particular, include provision with respect to the terms and conditions of appointment of an assistant.

Overview and scrutiny committees: education functions

6

(1) In paragraphs 7 and 8 “relevant authority” means a local authority which has education functions.

(2) Paragraphs 7 and 8 apply to an overview and scrutiny committee of a relevant authority if the committee's functions under section 9F relate wholly or partly to any education functions which are the responsibility of the authority's executive.

(3) Paragraph 7 and 8 also apply to a sub-committee of an overview and scrutiny committee of a relevant authority if the sub-committee's functions under section 9FA relate wholly or partly to any education functions which are the responsibility of the authority's executive.

7

(1) In the case of a relevant authority that maintains one or more Church of England schools, an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee to which this paragraph applies must include at least one qualifying person.

(2) A person is a qualifying person for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) if the person is nominated by the Diocesan Board of Education for any Church of England diocese which falls wholly or partly in the authority concerned's area.

(3) In the case of a relevant authority that maintains one or more Roman Catholic Church schools, an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee to which this paragraph applies must include at least one qualifying person.

(4) A person is a qualifying person for the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) if the person is nominated by the bishop of any Roman Catholic diocese which falls wholly or partly in the authority concerned's area.

(5) A member of an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee appointed by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) or (3) is to be entitled to vote at a meeting of the committee or sub-committee on any question—

(a) which relates to any education functions which are the responsibility of the authority concerned's executive, and

(b) which falls to be decided at the meeting.

(6) The Secretary of State may by directions to a relevant authority require any of the authority's overview and scrutiny committees or sub-committees to which this paragraph applies to include persons who are appointed, in accordance with the directions, as representatives of the persons who appoint foundation governors for the foundation or voluntary schools maintained by the authority which are not Church of England schools or Roman Catholic Church schools but which are specified in the directions.

(7) Directions under sub-paragraph (6) may make provision with respect to the voting rights of persons appointed in accordance with such directions.

8

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations require an overview and scrutiny committee or sub-committee to which this paragraph applies to include one or more persons elected, in accordance with the regulations, as representatives of parent governors at maintained schools which are maintained by the relevant authority concerned.

(2) Regulations under this paragraph may make provision for—

(a) the number of persons who are to be elected in the case of any relevant authority,

(b) the procedure to be followed in connection with the election of such persons and the persons who are entitled to vote at such an election,

(c) the circumstances in which persons are qualified or disqualified for being so elected or for holding office once elected,

(d) the term of office of persons so elected and their voting rights,

(e) the application to any such committee or sub-committee, with or without any modification, of any enactment (whenever passed or made) relating to committees or (as the case may be) sub-committees of a local authority,

(f) such other matters connected with such elections or persons so elected as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3) Regulations under this paragraph may also make provision—

(a) enabling the Secretary of State to determine, where the Secretary of State considers it expedient to do so in view of the small number of maintained schools which are maintained by a relevant authority, that the requirement imposed on the committee or sub-committee by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) is to have effect as if it referred to representatives of parents of registered pupils (rather than representatives of parent governors) at those schools,

(b) for any regulations under this paragraph to have effect, where the Secretary of State makes any such determination, with such modifications as may be prescribed.

9

The following provisions of the Education Act 1996, namely—

(a) section 496 (powers of Secretary of State to require duties under that Act to be exercised reasonably), and

(b) section 497 (powers of Secretary of State where local authorities etc are in default),

are to apply to the performance of any duty imposed on a local authority by virtue of paragraphs 6 to 8 as they apply to the performance by a local authority of a duty imposed by that Act.

10

(1) Except for the expression “local authority”, expressions used in paragraphs 6 to 9 and the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 have the same meaning in those paragraphs as in that Act.

(2) In paragraphs 6 and 7 “education functions” has the meaning given by section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996.

Overview and scrutiny committees: voting rights of co-opted members

11

(1) A local authority may permit a co-opted member of an overview and scrutiny committee of the authority to vote at meetings of the committee.

(2) Permission under sub-paragraph (1) may only be given in accordance with a scheme made by the local authority.

(3) A scheme for the purposes of this paragraph may include—

(a) provision for a maximum or minimum in relation to the number of co-opted members of an overview and scrutiny committee entitled to vote at meetings of the committee, and

(b) provision for giving effect to any maximum or minimum established under paragraph (a).

(4) The power to make a scheme for the purposes of this paragraph includes power to vary or revoke such a scheme.

(5) In this paragraph, references to a co-opted member, in relation to an overview and scrutiny committee of a local authority, are to a member of the committee who is not a member of the authority.

12

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the exercise of the powers under paragraph 11.

(2) Regulations under sub-paragraph (1) may, in particular, require schemes for the purposes of paragraph 11 (“voting rights schemes”)—

(a) to provide for permission to be given only by means of approving a proposal by the committee concerned;

(b) to provide for a proposal for the purposes of the scheme (“a scheme proposal”) to specify—

(i) the person to whom the proposal relates,

(ii) the questions on which it is proposed the person should be entitled to vote, and

(iii) the proposed duration of the person's entitlement to vote,

and to include such other provision about the form and content of such a proposal as the regulations may provide;

(c) to provide for a scheme proposal to be made only in accordance with a published statement of the policy of the committee concerned about the making of such proposals;

(d) to include such provision about the procedure to be followed in relation to the approval of scheme proposals as the regulations may provide.

(3) Regulations under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision for the notification to the Secretary of State by local authorities of the making, variation or revocation of voting rights schemes.

(4) The Secretary of State may by direction require a local authority to vary a voting rights scheme.

13

(1) A local authority which makes a scheme for the purposes of paragraph 11 must, while the scheme is in force, make copies of it available at its principal office at all reasonable hours for inspection by members of the public.

(2) If a local authority makes a scheme for the purposes of paragraph 11, or varies or revokes such a scheme, it must as soon as reasonably practicable after doing so publish in one or more newspapers circulating in its area a notice which complies with this paragraph.

(3) In the case of the making of a scheme, the notice under sub-paragraph (2) must—

(a) record the making of the scheme,

(b) describe what it does,

(d) specify—

(i) the address of that office, and

(ii) the times when the scheme is available for inspection there.

(4) In the case of the variation of a scheme, the notice under sub-paragraph (2) must—

(a) record the variation,

(b) describe what it does,

(c) state that copies of the scheme as varied are available for inspection at the principal office of the local authority, and

(d) specify—

(i) the address of that office, and

(ii) the times when the scheme is available for inspection there.

(5) In the case of the revocation of a scheme, the notice under sub-paragraph (2) must record the revocation.

21G

(1) The Welsh Ministers may, by order, designate for the purposes of section 21—

(a) one or more persons, and

(b) one or more categories of person.

(2) But—

(a) the designation of a person has effect only if that person meets the following conditions, and

(b) the designation of a category of persons has effect only if, and to the extent that, each person in that category meets the following conditions.

(3) Condition A is that the person provides the public, or a section of the public, with services, goods or facilities of any description (whether on payment or not).

(4) Condition B is that the person—

(a) provides those services, goods or facilities in the exercise of functions of a public nature, or

(b) is wholly or partly funded by public money.

(5) Condition C is that the person is not a local authority.

Attendance of police and crime commissioner at meetings

4A

(1) A relevant police and crime commissioner may attend, speak at and vote at—

(a) a meeting of an executive of a local authority which is a fire and rescue authority, or

(b) a meeting of a committee of such an executive.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) applies—

(a) only if and to the extent that the business of the meeting relates to the functions of the authority as a fire and rescue authority, and

(b) only if the executive has consented to the participation of the relevant police and crime commissioner in such meetings in response to a request by the commissioner to do so.

(3) If a request under sub-paragraph (2)(b) is made to an executive of a local authority, the executive must—

(a) consider the request,

(b) give reasons for its decision to agree to or refuse the request, and

(4) In this paragraph “relevant police and crime commissioner” means a police and crime commissioner—

(a) whose area is the same as, or contains all of, the area of the local authority, or

(b) all or part of whose area falls within the area of the local authority.

52ZA

(1) A person who is a member or co-opted member of a corporate joint committee must observe a code of conduct adopted by the corporate joint committee under section 51, including a code revised under subsection (3)(b) of that section.

(2) In relation to a corporate joint committee whose members or co-opted members are subject to mandatory provisions by virtue of section 51(5)(b), the reference in subsection (1) to the code of conduct adopted by the corporate joint committee includes the mandatory provisions which for the time being apply to the members or co-opted members of the corporate joint committee.

52A

(1) A leader of a political group consisting of members of a county council or county borough council in Wales—

(a) must take reasonable steps to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by the members of the group, and

(b) must co-operate with the council's standards committee (and any sub-committee of the committee) in the exercise of the standards committee's functions.

(2) In complying with subsection (1), a leader of a political group must have regard to any guidance about the functions under that subsection issued by the Welsh Ministers.

(3) The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision for the purposes of this section about the circumstances in which—

(a) members of a county council or county borough council in Wales are to be treated as constituting a political group;

(b) a member of a political group is to be treated as a leader of the group.

(4) Before making regulations under subsection (3), the Welsh Ministers must consult such persons as they think appropriate.

56B

(1) As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year, a standards committee of a relevant authority must make an annual report to the authority in respect of that year.

(2) The annual report must describe how the committee's functions have been discharged during the financial year.

(3) In particular, the report must include a summary of—

(a) what has been done to discharge the general and specific functions conferred on the committee by section 54 or 56;

(b) reports and recommendations made or referred to the committee under Chapter 3 of this Part;

(d) notices given to the committee under Chapter 4 of this Part.

(4) An annual report by a standards committee of a county council or county borough council in Wales must include the committee's assessment of the extent to which leaders of political groups on the council have complied with their duties under section 52A(1) during the financial year.

(5) An annual report by a standards committee of a relevant authority may include recommendations to the authority about any matter in respect of which the committee has functions.

(6) A relevant authority must consider each annual report made by its standards committee before the end of 3 months beginning with the day on which the authority receives the report.

(7) The function of considering the report may be discharged only by the relevant authority (and accordingly is not a function to which section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 or, in the case of a relevant authority which is a corporate joint committee, regulation 13 of the Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (arrangements for discharge of functions) applies).

(8) In this section “financial year” means a period of 12 months ending with 31 March.

69A

(1) If subsection (2) or (4) applies in a case involving a member or co-opted member (or former member or co-opted member) of a relevant authority, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (“the Ombudsman”) must exercise the power in paragraph 14 of Schedule 1 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019 to delegate—

(a) the decision as to whether to investigate the case under section 69, and

(b) any investigation of the case.

(2) This subsection applies if at any time within the period of five years ending with the date mentioned in subsection (3) the Ombudsman was—

(a) a member,

(b) a member of a committee, sub-committee, joint committee or joint sub-committee, or

of the relevant authority concerned.

(3) The date is—

(a) if the case is within section 69(1)(a), the date on which the Ombudsman received the written allegation, or

(b) if the case is within section 69(1)(b), the date on which the Ombudsman received the written allegation investigated under section 69(1)(a).

(4) This subsection applies if the Ombudsman considers that the Ombudsman has, or is likely to have, an interest in the matters which may be investigated or the outcome of any investigation.

(5) If subsection (4) applies the Ombudsman must disclose the nature of the interest to the person to whom any investigation under section 69 would or does relate, and to any person who has made an allegation as described in section 69(1)(a).

(6) If the Ombudsman makes a decision as to whether to investigate a case, or investigates a case, in contravention of subsection (1), that contravention does not affect the validity of anything done by the Ombudsman.

69B

(1) If the Ombudsman conducts an investigation under section 69, the Ombudsman must give the person to whom the investigation relates an opportunity to comment on whether that person has failed to comply with the code of conduct of the relevant authority of which that person is or was a member or co-opted member.

(2) An investigation must be conducted in private.

(3) Subject to subsections (1) and (2), the procedure for conducting an investigation is that which the Ombudsman thinks appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

(4) The Ombudsman may, among other things—

(a) make any inquiries which the Ombudsman thinks appropriate;

(b) determine whether any person may be represented in the investigation by an authorised person or another person.

(5) In subsection (4) “authorised person” means a person who, for the purposes of the Legal Services Act 2007, is an authorised person in relation to an activity which constitutes the exercise of a right of audience or the conduct of litigation (within the meaning of that Act).

(6) The Ombudsman may pay to the person (if any) who made an allegation as described in section 69(1)(a) and to any other person who attends or supplies information for the purposes of the investigation—

(a) sums in respect of the expenses properly incurred by them, and

(b) allowances to compensate for the loss of their time.

(7) The Ombudsman may attach conditions to payments under subsection (6).

(8) The carrying out of an investigation under section 69 does not affect—

(a) the validity of any action taken by a relevant authority, or

(b) any power or duty of a relevant authority to take further action in respect of any matter under investigation.

69C

(1) The Ombudsman may require a person the Ombudsman thinks is able to supply information or produce a document relevant to an investigation under section 69 to do so.

(2) The Ombudsman has the same powers as the High Court in relation to—

(a) the attendance and examination of witnesses (including the administration of oaths and affirmations and the examination of witnesses abroad), and

(b) the production of documents.

(3) The Ombudsman may require a person the Ombudsman thinks is able to supply information or produce a document relevant to an investigation to provide any facility the Ombudsman may reasonably require.

(4) The Ombudsman may require the relevant authority concerned to provide any facility the Ombudsman may reasonably require.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), no person may be compelled to give any evidence or produce any document which the person could not be compelled to give or produce in civil proceedings before the High Court.

(6) The Crown is not entitled to any privilege in relation to the production of documents or the giving of evidence that would otherwise be allowed by law in legal proceedings.

(7) Where an obligation to maintain secrecy or other restriction on the disclosure of information obtained by or supplied to persons in Her Majesty's service has been imposed by an enactment or a rule of law, the obligation or restriction does not apply to the disclosure of information for the purposes of the investigation.

69D

(1) If the Ombudsman is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to a person, the Ombudsman may issue a certificate to that effect to the High Court.

(2) The condition is that the person—

(a) without lawful excuse, has obstructed the discharge of any of the Ombudsman's functions under this Part, or

(b) has done an act in relation to an investigation under section 69 which, if the investigation were proceedings in the High Court, would constitute contempt of court.

(3) But the condition in subsection (2) is not met in relation to a person merely because that person has taken action such as is mentioned in section 69B(8).

(4) If the Ombudsman issues a certificate under subsection (1), the High Court may inquire into the matter.

(5) If the High Court is satisfied that the condition in subsection (2) is met in relation to the person, it may deal with that person in the same manner as it may deal with a person who has committed contempt in relation to the High Court.

69E

(1) This section applies to information obtained in the exercise of the Ombudsman's functions under this Part by—

(a) the Ombudsman;

(b) a member of the Ombudsman's staff or other person acting on the Ombudsman's behalf;

(2) The information may be disclosed only—

(a) for the purposes of the Ombudsman's functions under—

(i) Chapter 3 or 4 of this Part;

(ii) Part 3 or 5 of the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019;

(b) for the purposes of the functions of the Adjudication Panel for Wales, including the functions of its President, Deputy President and tribunals, under Chapter 4 of this Part;

(d) if the disclosure is made to the Auditor General for Wales for the purposes of the Auditor General's functions under Part 2 of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2004;

(e) if the disclosure is made to the Electoral Commission for the purposes of any of its functions.

69F

The Welsh Ministers may by regulations amend this Chapter to make further or different provision about the exercise of the functions of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales under section 69.

Law of defamation

74

For the purposes of the law of defamation a publication of a matter is absolutely privileged if—

(a) the publication is made in the exercise of the functions of the Ombudsman under Chapters 3 and 4 of this Part;

(b) the publication—

(i) is made in communications with the Ombudsman or a person exercising a function of the Ombudsman, and

(ii) is made for the purposes of, or in connection with, the Ombudsman's functions under Chapters 3 and 4 of this Part.

2A

Executive arrangements by a local authority must include provision under which two or more councillors may be appointed to the executive to share office.

2B

(1) This paragraph applies where two or more councillors of a local authority are—

(a) appointed to a mayor and cabinet executive to share office,

(b) appointed to a leader and cabinet executive (Wales) to share office, or

(2) The members of the executive who share the same office have between them one vote in respect of any matter on which they have a right to vote because they are a member of the executive.

(3) Where any meeting is attended by more than one of the members who share the same office and those members are attending in their capacity as a member of the executive, they together count only as one person for the purpose of determining whether the meeting is quorate.

Assistants to the executive

3A

(1) Executive arrangements by a local authority may make provision for councillors of the authority to be appointed to assist the executive in discharging functions which are the responsibility of the executive.

(2) Such a councillor is referred to in this Schedule as an assistant to the executive of the authority.

(3) Assistants to the executive of an authority are to be appointed—

(a) in the case of an authority operating a mayor and cabinet executive, by the elected mayor;

(b) in the case of an authority operating a leader and cabinet executive (Wales), by the executive leader or the authority.

(4) Executive arrangements which make provision for the appointment of assistants to an executive may include provision about—

(a) the number of assistants that may be appointed,

(b) their term of office, and

(5) The assistants to the executive of a local authority may not include—

(a) the chairman and vice-chairman of the authority;

(b) the presiding member and deputy presiding member of the authority (if the authority has a presiding member).

(6) An assistant to the executive of an authority is not a member of the executive of the authority.

(7) Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 (arrangements for discharge of functions by local authorities) does not apply to a local authority's function of making appointments under sub-paragraph (3)(b).

9HF

(1) A local authority within subsection (8) may, by a resolution in accordance with subsection (2), change the title by which the elected mayor of the authority is to be known to one of the following alternative titles—

(a) county commissioner;

(b) county governor;

(d) governor;

(e) a title that the authority considers more appropriate than the alternative titles mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d), having regard to the title of other public office holders in the area of the authority.

(2) The following requirements must be met in relation to the resolution—

(a) the resolution must be considered at a relevant meeting of the authority,

(b) particulars of the resolution must be included in the notice of the meeting,

(c) where the resolution includes a proposed alternative title mentioned in subsection (1)(e), the resolution must specify why the authority considers that the title is more appropriate than the other alternative titles mentioned in subsection (1), and

(d) the resolution must be passed at the meeting by a simple majority of the members of the authority who vote on it.

(3) In subsection (2)(a) “relevant meeting” means—

(a) in the case of a local authority within subsection (8)(a), the first meeting of the authority held after a qualifying election for the return of the elected mayor,

(b) in the case of a local authority within subsection (8)(b), the meeting of the authority at which the resolution under section 9KC (resolution of local authority) is passed, and

(c) in the case of a local authority within subsection (8)(c), the first meeting of the authority held after the referendum mentioned in section 9N is held.

(4) Subsections (5) and (6) apply where under this section a local authority changes the title by which the elected mayor of the authority is to be known to an alternative title.

(5) The authority must—

(a) send notice of the change to the Secretary of State,

(b) publish the notice in the area of the authority in such manner as the authority considers appropriate, and

(6) Where this subsection applies—

(a) a reference in any enactment (whenever passed or made) to the elected mayor of the authority is, unless the context otherwise requires, to be read as a reference to the alternative title by which the elected mayor is to be known, and

(b) references to mayor, mayoral and deputy mayor are to be construed accordingly.

(7) A change of title under this section does not affect the rights or obligations of any person or render defective any legal proceedings; and any legal proceedings may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of title.

(8) A local authority is within this subsection if—

(a) it operates a mayor and cabinet executive,

(b) it passes a resolution in accordance with section 9KC (resolution of local authority) to make a change in governance arrangements which provides for the authority to operate a mayor and cabinet executive, or

(c) it holds a referendum by virtue of an order under section 9N (referendum on change to mayor and cabinet executive) and the proposal for the authority to operate a mayor and cabinet executive is approved in that referendum.

(9) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (1) to add, modify or remove a reference to an alternative title or a description of an alternative title.

(10) In this section—

“enactment”—includes an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978, butdoes not include this section or section 9HG;

“qualifying election” means an election for the return of the elected mayor, other than—the first election for the return of the elected mayor, andan election caused by a vacancy in the office of the elected mayor occurring before expiry of the elected mayor’s term of office.

(11) This section is subject to section 9HG.

9HG

(1) This section applies where a local authority has—

(a) by a resolution under section 9HF or by a previous resolution under this section, changed the title by which the elected mayor of the authority is to be known to an alternative title, or

(b) by a previous resolution under this section, provided that the elected mayor of the authority is no longer to be known by an alternative title.

(2) The authority may, by a resolution in accordance with subsection (4)—

(a) in a subsection (1)(a) case—

(i) provide that the elected mayor is no longer to be known by the alternative title, or

(ii) change the title by which the elected mayor is to be known to an alternative title mentioned in subsection (3);

(b) in a subsection (1)(b) case, change the title by which the elected mayor is to be known to an alternative title mentioned in subsection (3).

(3) The alternative titles are—

(a) county commissioner;

(b) county governor;

(d) governor;

(e) a title that the authority considers more appropriate than the alternative titles mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d), having regard to the title of other public office holders in the area of the authority.

(4) The following requirements must be met in relation to the resolution mentioned in subsection (2)—

(a) the resolution must be considered at a relevant meeting of the authority,

(b) particulars of the resolution must be included in the notice of the meeting,

(c) where the resolution includes a proposed alternative title mentioned in subsection (3)(e), the resolution must specify why the authority considers that the title is more appropriate than the other alternative titles mentioned in subsection (3), and

(d) the resolution must be passed at the meeting by a simple majority of the members of the authority who vote on it.

(5) In subsection (4)(a) “relevant meeting” means the first meeting of the authority held after a qualifying election for the return of the elected mayor, provided that the election is at least the third qualifying election since the resolution mentioned in subsection (1) was passed.

(6) Where under this section a local authority provides that the elected mayor of the authority is no longer to be known by an alternative title, the authority must—

(a) send notice of the change to the Secretary of State,

(b) publish the notice in the area of the authority in such manner as the authority considers appropriate, and

(7) Subsections (8) and (9) apply where under this section a local authority changes the title by which the elected mayor of the authority is to be known to an alternative title.

(8) The authority must—

(a) send notice of the change to the Secretary of State,

(b) publish the notice in the area of the authority in such manner as the authority considers appropriate, and

(9) Where this subsection applies—

(a) a reference in any enactment (whenever passed or made) to the elected mayor of the authority is, unless the context otherwise requires, to be read as a reference to the alternative title by which the elected mayor is to be known, and

(b) references to mayor, mayoral and deputy mayor are to be construed accordingly.

(10) A change of title under this section does not affect the rights or obligations of any person, or render defective any legal proceedings; and any legal proceedings may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of title.

(11) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (3) to add, modify or remove a reference to an alternative title or a description of an alternative title.

(12) In this section “enactment” and “qualifying election” have the same meaning as in section 9HF.

Transfer of functions: changes in governance arrangements

9NC

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the Secretary of State has made regulations under section 16 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (power to transfer etc public authority functions to certain local authorities) that provide for a function to be exercisable by a local authority,

(b) the local authority proposes to pass a resolution under section 9KC to make a relevant change in governance arrangements, and

(i) subject to approval in a referendum under section 9M, or

(ii) required to be implemented by the local authority in accordance with section 9MF(4) (referendums under sections 9MC to 9ME).

(2) The local authority may not pass the resolution unless the local authority complies with this section.

(3) The local authority must notify the Secretary of State of the proposed change in governance arrangements.

(4) Where the Secretary of State receives such a notification, the Secretary of State must consider whether, as a result of the proposed change in governance arrangements, the regulations mentioned in subsection (1)(a) should be amended or revoked (see section 17(1) of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016).

(5) The Secretary of State must notify the local authority of the decision under subsection (4).

(6) If the Secretary of State considers that the regulations should be amended or revoked, the local authority may not pass the resolution until the regulations have been so amended or revoked.

(7) If the Secretary of State considers that the regulations should not be amended or revoked, the local authority may pass the resolution.

(8) In this section—

“function” has the same meaning as in section 16 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016;

“relevant change in governance arrangements” means—a change under section 9K for the local authority to cease to operate executive arrangements, ora change under section 9KA for the local authority to vary its executive arrangements so that they provide for a leader and cabinet executive.

(9) This section is subject to section 9KC(3) and (4) (timing of change in governance arrangements).

9ND

(1) This section applies where—

(a) the Secretary of State has made regulations under section 16 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 (power to transfer etc public authority functions to certain local authorities) that provide for a function to be exercisable by a local authority,

(b) the local authority proposes to pass a resolution under section 9KC to make a relevant change in governance arrangements, and

(2) This section also applies where—

(a) the Secretary of State has made regulations under section 16 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 that provide for a function to be exercisable by a local authority, and

(b) the local authority is required by regulations under section 9MC (referendum following petition) to hold a referendum on whether the authority should make a relevant change in governance arrangements.

(3) The local authority may not—

(a) hold the referendum mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (2)(b), or

(b) pass a resolution which makes the proposed change in governance arrangements,

unless the local authority complies with this section.

(4) The local authority must notify the Secretary of State of the proposed change in governance arrangements.

(5) Where the Secretary of State receives such a notification, the Secretary of State must consider whether, as a result of the proposed change in governance arrangements, the regulations mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (2)(a) should be amended or revoked (see section 17(1) of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016).

(6) The Secretary of State must notify the local authority of the decision under subsection (5).

(7) If the Secretary of State considers that the regulations should be amended or revoked—

(a) the local authority may hold the referendum mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (2)(b), but

(b) if the result of the referendum is to approve the proposals, the local authority may not pass a resolution which makes the proposed change in governance arrangements until the regulations have been so amended or revoked.

(8) If the Secretary of State considers that the regulations should not be amended or revoked, the local authority may hold the referendum mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (2)(b) and (if the result of the referendum is to approve the proposals) pass the resolution.

(9) In this section “function” and “relevant change in governance arrangements” have the same meaning as in section 9NC.

(10) This section is subject to sections 9KC(3) and (4), 9MB and 9MF (timing of change in governance arrangements etc).

Reading this document does not replace reading the official text published on legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies arising from the conversion of the original CLML XML to this format.

This text is published under legislation.gov.uk's own terms of reuse, not a Legalize or public-domain licence. legislation.gov.uk
Open Government Licence v3.0 (attribution required)
© Crown and database right. Derived from content available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 from legislation.gov.uk.