OpenLegislation

Local Government Act 1972 in Scotland

1972 c. 70 · Enacted 26 October 1972 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Not fully up to date. 30 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 5 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 80(1)(a)modifiedLocal Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 Sch. 6 para. 2(1)
s. 116modifiedLocal Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 Sch. 6 para. 2(2)
s. 233excludedBuilding Safety (Wales) Act 2026 s. 131(9)
s. 101(4)excludedBuilding Safety (Wales) Act 2026 s. 123(3) 124(6)
s. 231excludedBuilding Safety (Wales) Act 2026 s. 131(9)
s. 122excludedPlanning (Wales) Act 2026 s. 265(2)
Sch. 12 para. 43excludedPlanning (Wales) Act 2026 s. 362(3)
s. 101modifiedPlanning (Wales) Act 2026 s. 363(1)
s. 101excludedPlanning (Wales) Act 2026 s. 405(1)
s. 102modifiedPlanning (Wales) Act 2026 s. 363(1)
s. 123excludedPlanning (Wales) Act 2026 s. 265(2)
s. 122(2)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 89(a)(i)
s. 122(2)(a)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 89(a)(ii)
s. 122(2ZA)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 89(b)
Sch. 12A para. 20word omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 93
s. 126(4)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 90(a)(i)
s. 126(4)(a)words omittedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 90(a)(ii)
s. 126(4ZA)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 90(b)
s. 140A(2)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 91
s. 101(6A)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 88
s. 270words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 92
s. 250(2)-(5)applied by 1981 c. 69 Sch. 13A para. 10(1)(2) (as inserted)Deregulation Act 2015 Sch. 7 para. 6
s. 250(2)-(5)applied by 1981 c. 69 Sch. 14A para. 16(1)(2) (as inserted)Deregulation Act 2015 Sch. 7 para. 7
s. 250(2)-(5)power to apply conferred by 1991 c. 56, s. 39F(6) (as inserted)Environment Act 2021 s. 78(7)
s. 101(6ZA)insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Sch. 12 para. 2
s. 123(2C)insertedLevelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 s. 75
Pt. 5Amodified by 2023 c. 55, Sch. 1A para. 3(4) (as inserted)English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 4 para. 2
Pt. 5Amodified by 2009 c. 20, Sch. 5AA para. 3(4) (as inserted)English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 5 para. 2
s. 102(2)-(5)applied by 2023 c. 55, Sch. 1A para. 3(5) (as inserted)English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 4 para. 2
s. 102(2)-(5)applied by 2009 c. 20, Sch. 5AA para. 3(5) (as inserted)English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 5 para. 2

Contents

  1. New local government areas
  2. 1New local government areas in England.
  3. 4Election of chairman.
  4. 11BDe-grouping: alternative styles
  5. 16AAppointed councillors
  6. 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  7. 17AAlternative styles: supplementary
  8. 18Establishment of new authorities in England.
  9. 19Extent of Part I.
  10. New local government areas
  11. Principal councils
  12. 33AConsultation with community councils.
  13. 33BPrincipal council's response to a community poll Repealed
  14. 33CPrincipal council's explanation of its response to a community poll Repealed
  15. 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. Miscellaneous
  17. 38Extent of Part II.
  18. 39–45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. Proposals by Local Government Boundary Commission for England
  20. Conduct of reviews
  21. Border between England and Wales
  22. Initial reviews
  23. Supplementary provisions
  24. Miscellaneous
  25. 75Change of name of parish.
  26. 77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  27. 80ADisqualification for election or being a member of a local authority in Wales
  28. 80BDisqualification for being a member of a local authority in Wales and holding local office or employment
  29. 81ADisqualification relating to sexual offences etc (England)
  30. 88Filling of casual vacancy in case of chairman, etc.
  31. 93. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  32. Meetings and proceedings
  33. 100BAAccess to agenda and connected reports: principal councils in Wales
  34. 108Committees of parish meetings.
  35. 109Conferring functions of parish council on parish meeting.
  36. 110. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  37. Subsidiary powers
  38. 111Subsidiary powers of local authorities.
  39. 116AMembers of local authorities in Wales not to be appointed as officers
  40. 119Payments due to deceased officers.
  41. Land transactions — principal councils
  42. 121Acquisition of land compulsorily by principal councils.
  43. 122Appropriation of land by principal councils.
  44. 123A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  45. Land transactions—parish and community councils
  46. 124Acquisition of land by agreement by parish and community councils.
  47. 126Appropriation of land by parish and community councils and by parish meetings.
  48. 128Consents to land transactions by local authorities and protection of purchasers.
  49. Discharge of statutory trusts
  50. 128AStatutory trust discharge orders
  51. 128BApplications for statutory trust discharge orders
  52. 128CApplications where land has been divided up
  53. 128DThe qualifying conditions
  54. 128EThe new publicity requirements
  55. 128FPrevious advertisement procedure: co-operation by councils etc and presumption
  56. 128GMaking statutory trust discharge orders
  57. 128HSections 128A to 128G: interpretation and application to the Crown
  58. 129Payment of purchase or compensation money by one local authority to another.
  59. 130Acquisition by local authorities of lands belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster.
  60. Premises and contracts
  61. 132Provision of offices, etc. by principal councils.
  62. 133Provision of parish and community buildings.
  63. 136Contributions towards expenditure on concurrent functions.
  64. 137AFinancial assistance to be conditional on provision of information.
  65. 144Power to encourage visitors and provide conference and other facilities.
  66. Expenses and receipts
  67. 151Financial administration.
  68. 152Revenues from undertakings.
  69. 153Application of capital money on disposal of land. Repealed
  70. 154–167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  71. Miscellaneous provisions as to finance and rating
  72. 170. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  73. 171. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  74. 172Miscellaneous amendments of enactments relating to finance and rating.
  75. General
  76. 179General provision for transfer of functions.
  77. The environment
  78. 182Town and Country Planning.
  79. 183. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  80. 185Town development.
  81. 188. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  82. Education, social and welfare services
  83. 193, 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  84. Miscellaneous functions
  85. 198, 199. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  86. 201. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  87. 202Public transport in passenger transport areas.
  88. 203. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  89. 205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  90. 206Public libraries and museums (England).
  91. 208Amendments of Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.
  92. 209. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  93. 211Welsh Church funds.
  94. 212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  95. 216Adaptation of law relating to old counties.
  96. 217Section 217
  97. 218. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  98. 220. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  99. 237ZASection 235 byelaws: powers of seizure etc
  100. 237AFixed penalty notices
  101. 237BAmount of fixed penalty
  102. 237CPower to require name and address in connection with fixed penalty
  103. 237DUse of fixed penalty receipts
  104. 237EGuidance relating to sections 236A and 237A to 237D
  105. 237FFurther provision about regulations and orders under section 237A or 237B
  106. 240Provisional orders and orders subject to special parliamentary procedure.
  107. 241Power to apply provisions of Act to joint boards, etc.
  108. 242Effect of inaccurate description.
  109. 244Saving of transfer of certain powers under local Acts from Treasury to Secretary of State.
  110. 245BCommunity having the status of a town.
  111. Inquiries
  112. General
  113. 251Consequential and minor modifications and amendments.
  114. 252General power to adapt Acts and instruments.
  115. 253Transfer of powers of certain public bodies.
  116. 256Continuity of employment in cases of voluntary transfer.
  117. 259Compensation for loss of office.
  118. 260Provision for early retirement in lieu of compensation for loss of office.
  119. 262Local Acts and instruments.
  120. 263Existing joint boards and committees and port health districts.
  121. 264. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  122. 265Application of Act to Isles of Scilly.
  123. 266Orders, rules and regulations.
  124. 267Expenses.
  125. 268. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  126. 272Repeals.
  127. Part
  128. Part III: Rules as to Boundaries
  129. 1Paragraph 1
  130. 2Paragraph 2
  131. 3Paragraph 3
  132. 4Paragraph 4
  133. 5Paragraph 5
  134. 6Paragraph 6
  135. 7Paragraph 7
  136. 8Paragraph 8
  137. 9Paragraph 9
  138. 10Paragraph 10
  139. 11Paragraph 11
  140. 12Paragraph 12
  141. Part IV: Divided Parishes
  142. 1Paragraph 1
  143. 2Paragraph 2
  144. 3Paragraph 3
  145. 4Paragraph 4
  146. Part V: Constitution of Parishes by Reference to existing Urban District and Borough Boundaries
  147. 1Paragraph 1
  148. 2Paragraph 2
  149. 3Paragraph 3
  150. 4Paragraph 4
  151. Constitution
  152. 1Paragraph 1
  153. Chairman and mayor
  154. 2Paragraph 2
  155. Election of chairman and mayor
  156. 3Paragraph 3
  157. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  158. Power of mayor of London borough to appoint deputy
  159. 5Paragraph 5
  160. Modifications of preceding provisions
  161. 5AParagraph 5A
  162. 5BParagraph 5B
  163. 5DParagraph 5D
  164. 5EParagraph 5E
  165. 5FParagraph 5F
  166. 5GParagraph 5G
  167. 5HParagraph 5H
  168. 5IParagraph 5I
  169. Term of office and retirement of councillors
  170. 6Paragraph 6
  171. Electoral divisions and wards
  172. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  173. Part II
  174. 9–14Paragraph 9–14 Repealed
  175. Division of non-metropolitan counties into districts
  176. 1Paragraph 1
  177. County and district councillors
  178. 3Paragraph 3
  179. First elections and meetings of new councils
  180. Parish councillors
  181. Qualification for membership of local authority
  182. Suspension of elections
  183. 14Paragraph 14
  184. Annual meetings
  185. Supplementary
  186. 18Paragraph 18
  187. Election of councillors
  188. 1Paragraph 1
  189. Electoral divisions
  190. 2Paragraph 2
  191. First elections of new councils
  192. Declarations of acceptance of office
  193. First meetings of new principal councils
  194. Qualification for membership
  195. Suspension of elections
  196. Appropriate transition committee
  197. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  198. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  199. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  200. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  201. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  202. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  203. Officers and servants, remuneration and expenses Repealed
  204. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  205. Proof of documents Repealed
  206. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  207. Welsh counties and county boroughs
  208. 1AParagraph 1A Repealed
  209. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  210. Districts and London boroughs
  211. Parishes and communities
  212. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  213. 2Paragraph 2
  214. 3Paragraph 3
  215. 4AParagraph 4A
  216. 6Paragraph 6
  217. Part IA: Joint Authorities and Inner London Education Authority
  218. Part II: Parish Councils
  219. 7Paragraph 7
  220. 8Paragraph 8
  221. 9Paragraph 9
  222. 11Paragraph 11
  223. 12Paragraph 12
  224. 13Paragraph 13
  225. Part III: Parish Meetings
  226. 15Paragraph 15
  227. 16Paragraph 16
  228. 17Paragraph 17
  229. 19Paragraph 19
  230. 20Paragraph 20
  231. 21Paragraph 21
  232. 22Paragraph 22
  233. 23Paragraph 23
  234. 24Paragraph 24
  235. 25Paragraph 25
  236. 26AParagraph 26A Repealed
  237. 27Paragraph 27
  238. 27AParagraph 27A
  239. 28Paragraph 28
  240. 29Paragraph 29
  241. 29AParagraph 29A Repealed
  242. 33Paragraph 33
  243. 36Paragraph 36
  244. 37Paragraph 37
  245. 38Paragraph 38
  246. 38AParagraph 38A Repealed
  247. 38BParagraph 38B Repealed
  248. 39Paragraph 39
  249. 40Paragraph 40
  250. 42Paragraph 42
  251. 44Paragraph 44
  252. 45Paragraph 45
  253. Part 1: DESCRIPTIONS OF EXEMPT INFORMATION: ENGLAND
  254. Part 2: QUALIFICATIONS: ENGLAND
  255. Part 3: INTERPRETATION: ENGLAND
  256. Part 4: DESCRIPTIONS OF EXEMPT INFORMATION: WALES
  257. 12Paragraph 12
  258. 13Paragraph 13
  259. 14Paragraph 14
  260. 15Paragraph 15
  261. 16Paragraph 16
  262. 17Paragraph 17
  263. 18Paragraph 18
  264. Part 5: QUALIFICATIONS: WALES
  265. 20Paragraph 20
  266. 21Paragraph 21
  267. Part 6: INTERPRETATION: WALES
  268. 22Paragraph 22
  269. 1Paragraph 1
  270. 2Paragraph 2
  271. 4Paragraph 4
  272. 5Paragraph 5
  273. 6Paragraph 6
  274. 7Paragraph 7
  275. Part I
  276. 1–22Paragraph 1–22 Repealed
  277. Part II: Amendments with Respect to Finance and Rating
  278. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  279. The Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act 1944
  280. Parish Councils Act 1957
  281. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  282. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  283. The General Rate Act 1967
  284. 28Paragraph 28
  285. 29Paragraph 29
  286. Part I: The Public Health Act 1936
  287. 1Paragraph 1
  288. 2Paragraph 2
  289. 4Paragraph 4
  290. 5–7Paragraph 5–7 Repealed
  291. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  292. 9Paragraph 9
  293. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  294. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  295. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  296. 13, 14Paragraph 13, 14 Repealed
  297. 15, 16Paragraph 15, 16 Repealed
  298. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  299. 18Paragraph 18
  300. 20Paragraph 20
  301. 22Paragraph 22
  302. Part II: Other Enactments
  303. Public Health Acts 1875 to 1925
  304. 23Paragraph 23
  305. 26Paragraph 26
  306. 27Paragraph 27
  307. 29Paragraph 29
  308. 30Paragraph 30
  309. 31Paragraph 31
  310. 32Paragraph 32
  311. The Parish Councils Act 1957
  312. 34Paragraph 34
  313. The Public Health Act 1961
  314. 37Paragraph 37
  315. 38, 39Paragraph 38, 39 Repealed
  316. 40Paragraph 40
  317. 41Paragraph 41 Repealed
  318. 42Paragraph 42
  319. 43Paragraph 43 Repealed
  320. The Local Government Act 1966
  321. 45Paragraph 45 Repealed
  322. 46, 47Paragraph 46, 47 Repealed
  323. 48Paragraph 48 Repealed
  324. The Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act 1972
  325. 49Paragraph 49
  326. Part I: Town and Country Planning Act 1971
  327. Structure and local plans
  328. 1–3Paragraph 1–3 Repealed
  329. 4–47Paragraph 4–47 Repealed
  330. 48Paragraph 48 Repealed
  331. 49–53Paragraph 49–53 Repealed
  332. Part II: Other Enactments
  333. 54Paragraph 54 Repealed
  334. The Land Compensation Act 1961
  335. 56Paragraph 56 Repealed
  336. 57Paragraph 57 Repealed
  337. Part III
  338. 58, 59Paragraph 58, 59 Repealed
  339. Part II: Survey of Public Paths, Etc.
  340. 22, 23Paragraph 22, 23 Repealed
  341. 24Paragraph 24
  342. 25Paragraph 25
  343. 26Paragraph 26
  344. 27Paragraph 27
  345. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  346. 29Paragraph 29
  347. 30Paragraph 30
  348. 31Paragraph 31
  349. 32Paragraph 32
  350. 33Paragraph 33
  351. Part III: Miscellaneous Modifications of 1949 and 1968 Acts
  352. Establishment of nature reserves by local authorities
  353. 34Paragraph 34
  354. 36Paragraph 36
  355. Miscellaneous
  356. 38Paragraph 38
  357. 39Paragraph 39
  358. 40Paragraph 40
  359. 41Paragraph 41
  360. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  361. 2Paragraph 2
  362. 3Paragraph 3
  363. 4Paragraph 4
  364. 5Paragraph 5
  365. 6Paragraph 6
  366. Part I: THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1972
  367. 1Paragraph 1
  368. 2Paragraph 2
  369. 3Paragraph 3
  370. 4Paragraph 4
  371. 5Paragraph 5
  372. 6Paragraph 6
  373. Part II
  374. 7–32Paragraph 7–32 Repealed
  375. Part III
  376. 33–36Paragraph 33–36 Repealed
  377. Part I
  378. 1–95Paragraph 1–95 Repealed
  379. Part II: OTHER ENACTMENTS
  380. 96Paragraph 96 Repealed
  381. 97Paragraph 97
  382. 99, 100Paragraph 99, 100 Repealed
  383. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  384. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  385. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  386. 6Paragraph 6
  387. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  388. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  389. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  390. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  391. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  392. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  393. 15Paragraph 15
  394. 16Paragraph 16
  395. Part I: Amendments of General Application
  396. 2Paragraph 2
  397. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  398. 4Paragraph 4
  399. 5Paragraph 5
  400. 6Paragraph 6
  401. 7Paragraph 7
  402. 8Paragraph 8
  403. Part II
  404. 9–17Paragraph 9–17 Repealed
  405. Part I: Amendments of Licensing Act 1964
  406. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  407. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  408. Part II
  409. 10–12Paragraph 10–12 Repealed
  410. Discharge of functions of burial authorities
  411. 1Paragraph 1
  412. 2Paragraph 2
  413. 3Paragraph 3
  414. 5Paragraph 5
  415. 6Paragraph 6
  416. 9Paragraph 9
  417. Provision and management of cemeteries
  418. 10Paragraph 10
  419. 12, 13Paragraph 12, 13 Repealed
  420. 14Paragraph 14
  421. Saving, amendments and modifications of enactments
  422. 15Paragraph 15
  423. 16Paragraph 16
  424. 17Paragraph 17
  425. 18–23Paragraph 18–23 Repealed
  426. 24Paragraph 24
  427. 25Paragraph 25
  428. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  429. 2–4Paragraph 2–4 Repealed
  430. 5–10Paragraph 5–10 Repealed
  431. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  432. 12–15Paragraph 12–15 Repealed
  433. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  434. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  435. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  436. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  437. Introductory
  438. 1Paragraph 1
  439. Powers to amend law in respect of women and civil partners
  440. 2Paragraph 2
  441. Power to amend royal charters
  442. 3Paragraph 3
  443. Powers to amend laws established by custom
  444. 4Paragraph 4
  445. Consequential amendments
  446. 5Paragraph 5
  447. 6Paragraph 6
  448. Qualifying resolutions
  449. 7Paragraph 7
  450. 8Paragraph 8
  451. 9Paragraph 9
  452. 10Paragraph 10
  453. Order-making powers: supplementary
  454. 11Paragraph 11
  455. Schedule 29: Adaptation, Modification and Amendment of Enactments
  456. 1Paragraph 1
  457. 2Paragraph 2
  458. 3Paragraph 3
  459. 4Paragraph 4
  460. 5Paragraph 5
  461. 6Paragraph 6
  462. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  463. 8Paragraph 8
  464. Part II: Particular Modifications and Amendments
  465. 14Paragraph 14
  466. 15Paragraph 15
  467. 18Paragraph 18
  468. 19Paragraph 19
  469. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  470. 24, 25Paragraph 24, 25 Repealed
  471. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  472. 28Paragraph 28
  473. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  474. 31Paragraph 31
  475. 32Paragraph 32
  476. 34Paragraph 34
  477. Police
  478. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  479. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  480. 39Paragraph 39 Repealed
  481. 40Paragraph 40
  482. 42Paragraph 42
  483. 46Paragraph 46 Repealed