Local Government Legislation
Legislative framework for local authority powers, council operations, municipal services, and community governance.
The Non-Domestic Rating (Designated Areas) Regulations 2025
The Non-Domestic Rating (Designated Areas) Regulations 2025 designate specific areas in England and Wales to retain a portion of their non-domestic rating income.
The regulations detail how to calculate this income and establish a baseline amount to determine the portion retained.
These calculations consider factors such as small and standard business rate multipliers and the aggregate rateable values of properties within designated areas.
The regulations also amend existing legislation to extend the designation of the Heart of the South West–Huntspill Energy Park designated area and specify the designation period (24-25 years) for all designated areas.
The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025
The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025 implements crucial updates to UK procurement law, including revised threshold amounts for contract values, amendments to international trade obligations, and comprehensive changes to primary and secondary legislation.
The regulations modernize procurement processes, strengthen security measures, and establish transitional provisions while ensuring alignment with international agreements.
The Associated British Ports (Immingham Green Energy Terminal) Order 2025
This Order grants development consent and authorises the construction, operation, and maintenance of a multi-user marine terminal at Immingham Port for importing and exporting bulk liquids.
It incorporates relevant provisions of the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847, addresses street works, land acquisition (including compulsory purchase powers), and temporary land possession, outlining compensation procedures and protective measures for various stakeholders.
The order also includes stipulations for environmental management, decommissioning, and compliance with maritime regulations, along with detailed operational and general provisions.
The Community Radio Order 2025
The Community Radio Order 2025, effective April 1, 2025, consolidates and amends existing legislation governing community radio in the UK. It defines community radio services, focusing on their non-commercial, community-beneficial nature and the obligations on licensees, such as promoting social gain and accountability to the served community.
The order modifies relevant sections of the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications Act 2003, revokes previous related orders, and includes transitional provisions for existing licences.
The focus is on fostering participation from community members, and ensuring that services are provided primarily for social gain.
The Walsall (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Walsall (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing wards in the borough of Walsall and establishing 20 new ones.
The order details the new ward names, boundaries (reference a provided map), and the number of councillors per ward (three).
It also establishes the election schedule, stipulating simultaneous elections in 2026, with subsequent elections staggered to return to the 'election by thirds' system.
The order's effective date is October 15th, 2025, for preliminary election-related procedures, with full implementation in 2026.
The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025
The Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025 revises the existing scheme for allocating policy development grants to UK political parties.
Effective March 6th, 2025, the order allocates £2 million annually, distributing funds among eligible parties based on a formula considering their representation in different UK regions’ electorates.
The Order replaces previous legislation relating to the same scheme and reflects the Electoral Commission’s recommendations, providing a foundation for transparent and equitable funding for policy development.
The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 alters county electoral division and borough ward boundaries in Maidstone, England.
These changes, effective from 2025 and 2028 respectively, implement recommendations by Maidstone Borough Council, reflecting parish boundary adjustments made in 2023.
The Order ensures election procedures align with updated community governance structures.
The Shropshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Shropshire (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 alters the boundary between two Shropshire county electoral divisions, namely Severn Valley and Sutton & Reabrook divisions.
This adjustment stems from recommendations made by Shropshire Council and approved by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
The changes, reflecting alterations made to parish boundaries, take effect for election proceedings after the Order's enactment and for all other purposes on the ordinary day of the 2025 councillor elections in England.
The Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Canterbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 alters Canterbury's electoral arrangements.
It abolishes existing wards and creates 24 new ones, defining their boundaries via a map and specifying the number of councillors for each.
The changes, based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, take effect in October 2026 for preliminary election processes and in 2027 for other purposes, applying only to England despite extending to England and Wales.
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025, effective March 31, 2025, establish exemptions to existing regulations regarding waste separation in England and Wales.
These exemptions permit the combined collection of certain recyclable waste streams (metal, glass, plastic) by English waste collection authorities.
Additionally, the regulations exempt micro-firms from certain waste collection requirements until March 31, 2027.
The regulations were drafted in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and following consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025
This Order shifts the ordinary elections for councillors in nine specified English local authorities from 2025 to 2026.
It adjusts councillor retirement dates accordingly, modifies procedures for filling casual vacancies, and makes consequential amendments to other related electoral Orders.
The changes primarily impact the timing of local elections and the terms of office for elected councillors, with provisions to manage casual vacancies during the transition.
The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2009 Regulations governing right-to-manage (RTM) companies in England.
Key changes include defining 'lease' according to the 2002 Act, restricting landlord voting power to one-third of tenant votes, and requiring landlords to be freeholders to qualify for votes.
These amendments aim to balance voting rights within RTM companies and improve governance clarity.
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective March 3, 2025, implement several sections of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 related to leaseholders' right to manage.
Specifically, they define non-residential limits on claims, detail cost allocation, ensure compliance with the 2002 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act, prohibit initial High Court applications for tribunal matters, and restrict the recovery of certain costs.
The aim is to clarify, simplify, and streamline the right-to-manage process for leaseholders.
The Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements comprehensive changes to electoral arrangements in the borough of Thurrock following recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
The Order abolishes existing electoral wards and establishes 20 new wards with specified numbers of councillors for each, ranging from two to three members per ward.
These changes will take effect for elections from 2025 onwards, with new boundaries defined by geographical features and documented in official mapping.
The Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 implements changes to UK television license fees effective April 1, 2025.
The regulations increase the standard color TV license fee from £169.50 to £174.50 and the black and white license fee from £57.00 to £58.50.
Various installment payment schemes are adjusted accordingly, with updates to premium, budget, easy entry, and simple payment plans.
The regulations apply across the UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, with certain provisions for specific territories.
The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2025
The Order transfers specific environmental assessment and planning data functions from the UK Secretary of State to Scottish Ministers, granting them concurrent powers over renewable energy projects.
It enables Scottish Ministers to make regulations regarding environmental outcomes reports and planning data for generating stations in Scotland and the Scottish Renewable Energy Zone, while requiring consultation with the Secretary of State.
The Order extends existing devolved powers to include offshore renewable energy developments and maintains coordination between UK and Scottish authorities.
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 establish a new combined county authority for Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire. The regulations create a directly elected mayoral position and grant significant powers over economic development, transport, housing, and planning.
The authority receives functions previously held by the Homes and Communities Agency, along with powers to establish development corporations, implement transport schemes, and coordinate strategic planning across the region.
The Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025
The Lancashire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 establish a new combined county authority covering Lancashire, Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen.
The regulations grant the authority significant powers over transport, housing, regeneration, and economic development.
The authority will be governed by appointed council members with specific voting requirements for key decisions.
It receives powers to coordinate transport planning, deliver housing and regeneration projects, and conduct strategic economic assessments across the region.
The regulations also establish funding mechanisms and transitional arrangements for the new authority's operations.
The Valuation Tribunal for England (Membership and Transitional Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective April 1st, 2025, amend the Valuation Tribunal for England (Membership and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2009.
Specifically, they increase the mandatory retirement age for Tribunal members from 72 to 75 years old, extending to England and Wales.
The changes are based on powers granted by the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and are claimed to have minimal impact on the public, private, or voluntary sectors.
The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Regulations 2025
The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 establish a new combined authority covering Devon and Torbay, granting it significant powers over transport, housing, regeneration, and economic development.
The authority gains concurrent powers with existing councils in areas including highway management, public transport, and strategic planning, while becoming the primary authority for local transport planning.
The regulations ensure democratic accountability through a carefully structured voting system and require consent from constituent councils for key decisions, particularly those involving financial commitments or compulsory land acquisition.
The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025
The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025 establishes a new combined authority covering the areas of Kingston upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire, with an elected mayor taking office from May 2025.
The order grants significant powers over transport, housing, regeneration, and economic development, while establishing clear governance structures and funding mechanisms.
The combined authority will have the ability to exercise functions previously held by constituent councils and other public bodies, aimed at improving economic, social, and environmental wellbeing across the region.
The Designation of Special Tax Sites (East Midlands Investment Zone) Regulations 2025
These regulations, enacted under the Finance Act 2021, designate three areas in the East Midlands as 'special tax sites' to boost economic activity within the East Midlands Investment Zone.
This designation provides enhanced capital allowances for plant, machinery, structures, and buildings, along with stamp duty land tax relief, for qualifying companies and investments within these zones.
The designated sites are explicitly defined by maps, and the regulations took effect on February 26, 2025.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Download Festival, Leicestershire) Regulations 2025
These regulations temporarily restrict unmanned aircraft flights within a one nautical mile radius of Donnington Park, Leicestershire, from 0500 UTC on June 10th to 2200 UTC on June 16th, 2025, during the Download Festival.
The restrictions, implemented at the request of Leicestershire Police for public safety reasons, allow exceptions for flights permitted by the police. The regulations are supported by the Air Navigation Order 2016.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Stonehenge) Regulations 2025
These regulations temporarily restrict flying within a three-nautical-mile radius of Stonehenge from 16:00 UTC on June 20th to 10:00 UTC on June 21st, 2025.
The restriction, made under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, is in response to the anticipated large gathering for the Summer Solstice and aims to ensure public safety.
Exemptions exist for certain emergency services and aircraft operating with specific permissions.