OpenLegislation

Local Government Act 1974 in England

1974 c. 7 · Enacted 8 February 1974 · Extends to England and Wales

Not fully up to date. 50 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. 33(2)words insertedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 2(3)
s. 33(1)words insertedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 2(2)(b)
s. 33ZB(4)(e)(f)insertedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 4(b)
s. 33ZB(4)(c)word omittedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 4(a)
s. 33ZA(3)(d) and wordinsertedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 3(4)(b)
s. 33ZA(3)(b)word omittedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 3(4)(a)
s. 33ZA(3)words substitutedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 3(4)(c)
s. 33ZA(1A)words substitutedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 3(3)
s. 33ZA(1)(b)word omittedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 3(2)(a)
s. 33(4)words substitutedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 2(5)(b)
s. 33(4)words substitutedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 2(5)(a)
s. 33ZA(1)(d) and wordinsertedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 3(2)(b)
s. 33(3B)insertedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 2(4)
s. 33(1)(bzb)insertedBuilding Safety Act 2022 Sch. 10 para. 2(2)(a)
s. 34(1)words insertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 5
s. 33(3C)insertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(4)
s. 33(4)words substitutedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(5)(a)
s. 33(1)words substitutedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(2)(b)(i)
s. 33(1)words insertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(2)(b)(ii)
s. 33(1)(bzc)insertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(2)(a)
s. 33(2)words insertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(3)(a)
s. 33(2)word substitutedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(3)(b)
s. 33(4)words substitutedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 2(5)(b)
s. 33ZA(1)(c)word omittedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 3(2)(a)
s. 33ZA(1)(e) and wordinsertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 3(2)(b)
s. 33ZA(1A)words substitutedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 3(3)
s. 33ZA(1B)insertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 3(4)
s. 33ZA(3)words substitutedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 3(5)(c)
s. 33ZA(3)(c)word omittedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 3(5)(a)
s. 33ZA(3)(e) and wordinsertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 3(5)(b)
s. 33ZB(4)(e)word omittedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 4(a)
s. 33ZB(4)(g) and wordinsertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 13 para. 4(b)
s. 33 headingwords substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(2)
s. 33(5A)insertedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(9)
s. 33(3A)-(3C)omittedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(7)
s. 33(3ZA)insertedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(6)
s. 33(3)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(5)(b)
s. 33(3)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(5)(a)
s. 33(2)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(4)(b)
s. 33(2)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(4)(a)
s. 33(1)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(3)(b)
s. 33(1)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(3)(a)
s. 33(4)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 2(8)
s. 33ZA(1)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 3(2)
s. 33ZA(1A)omittedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 3(3)
s. 33ZA(1B)omittedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 3(3)
s. 33ZA(3)words substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 3(4)
s. 33ZA(6)insertedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 3(5)
s. 33ZB(4)substitutedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 4
s. 34(1)words insertedRenters’ Rights Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 5

An Act to make further provision, in relation to England and Wales, with respect to the payment of grants to local authorities, rating and valuation, borrowing and lending by local authorities and the classification of highways; to extend the powers of the Countryside Commission to give financial assistance; to provide for the establishment of Commissions for the investigation of administrative action taken by or on behalf of local and other authorities; to restrict certain grants under the Transport Act 1968; to provide for the removal or relaxation of certain statutory controls affecting local government activities; to make provision in relation to the collection of sums by local authorities on behalf of water authorities; to amend section 259(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 and to make certain minor amendments of or consequential on that Act; and for connected purposes.

[8th February 1974]I1C1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: transfer of certain functions (W.) (1.7.1999) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

Commencement

I1

Act partly in force at Royal Assent, see s. 43(2); Act wholly in force at 1.4.1979

Contents

  1. Part I: Grants
  2. Rate support grants
  3. 1Rate support grants. Repealed
  4. 2Elements of rate support grants. Repealed
  5. 3Rate support grant orders. Repealed
  6. 4Variation of rate support grant orders. Repealed
  7. 5Reduction of grants in case of default. Repealed
  8. Grants for particular purposes
  9. 6Supplementary grants for transport purposes.
  10. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  11. 8Specific grants for purposes not covered by rate support grants.
  12. 9Grants and loans by the Countryside Council for Wales Repealed
  13. Supplementary
  14. 10Supplementary provisions for Part I.
  15. Part II: Rating
  16. 11—14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  17. 15—19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  18. 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. 21, 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  20. Part 2A: Decisions relating to holding of events
  21. 22ADecisions invoking health or safety: notification, reasons and review
  22. Part III: Local Government Administration
  23. 23The Commissions for Local Administration.
  24. 23AAnnual reports for representatives etc.
  25. 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  26. 24APower to investigate
  27. 25Authorities subject to investigation.
  28. 26Matters subject to investigation.
  29. 26AWho can complain
  30. 26BProcedure for making complaints
  31. 26CReferral of complaints by authorities
  32. 26DMatters coming to attention of Local Commissioner
  33. 27Members of the public .
  34. 28Procedure in respect of investigations.
  35. 29Investigations: further provisions.
  36. 30Reports on investigations.
  37. 31Reports on investigations: further provisions.
  38. 31AConsideration of adverse reports.
  39. 31BPublication of reports etc by Commissioners
  40. 32Law of defamation, and disclosure of information.
  41. 32AUse of information by Local Commissioner in other capacity Repealed
  42. 33ZBArrangements for provision of administrative and other services
  43. 33ADisclosure of information by Local Commissioner to Information Commission.
  44. 34Interpretation of Part III.
  45. Part 3A: Investigation of complaints about privately arranged or funded adult social care
  46. Private adult social care: matters subject to investigation
  47. 34AInterpretation: “adult social care provider” and “adult social care”
  48. 34BPower to investigate
  49. 34CWho can complain
  50. 34DProcedure for making complaints
  51. 34EMatters coming to attention of Local Commissioner
  52. Investigations by a Local Commissioner
  53. 34FProcedure in respect of investigations
  54. 34GInvestigations: further provisions
  55. Statements etc. about investigations
  56. 34HStatements about investigations
  57. 34IAdverse findings notices
  58. 34JPublication of statements etc. by Local Commissioner
  59. 34KDisclosure of information
  60. 34LLaw of defamation
  61. Arrangements with other Commissioners etc.
  62. 34MConsultation with other Commissioners
  63. 34NCollaborative working with other Commissioners
  64. 34ODisclosure of information by Local Commissioner to Information Commission
  65. 34PDisclosure of information by Local Commissioner to Care Quality Commission
  66. General
  67. 34QArrangements etc. to be made by Commission
  68. 34RReview, recommendations, advice and guidance
  69. 34SAnnual reports
  70. 34TInterpretation of Part 3A
  71. Part IV: Miscellaneous and General
  72. 35Removal or relaxation of controls affecting certain local authority functions.
  73. 36Recovery by local authorities of establishment charges.
  74. 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  75. 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  76. 39Compensation for loss of office : extension of cases for which regulations may provide.
  77. 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  78. 41Expenses.
  79. 42Minor and consequential amendments and repeals.
  80. 43Short title, commencement, construction, application and extent.
  81. Schedule 1: Termination or Modification of Certain Existing Grants
  82. Part I
  83. 1—5Paragraph 1—5 Repealed
  84. Part II: Existing Grants for Highways and Public Transport
  85. 6Paragraph 6
  86. 7Paragraph 7
  87. 8Paragraph 8
  88. 9Paragraph 9
  89. Part III: Existing Grants for Other Specific Purposes
  90. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  91. 11Paragraph 11
  92. Schedule 2: Elements of Rate Support Grants Repealed
  93. Part I: The Needs Element Repealed
  94. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  95. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  96. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  97. 3AParagraph 3A Repealed
  98. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  99. Part II: The Domestic Element Repealed
  100. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  101. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  102. Part III: The Resources Element Repealed
  103. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  104. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  105. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  106. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  107. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  108. Schedule 3. . .
  109. Schedule 4: The Commission
  110. Disqualifications
  111. 1Paragraph 1
  112. 2AParagraph 2A
  113. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  114. Remuneration, etc.
  115. 3Paragraph 3
  116. Staff and accommodation
  117. 4Paragraph 4
  118. Proceedings of the Commission
  119. 5Paragraph 5
  120. Expenses of the Commission
  121. 5AParagraph 5A
  122. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  123. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  124. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  125. 8AParagraph 8A Repealed
  126. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  127. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  128. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  129. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  130. 13Delegation
  131. Schedule 5: Matters not Subject to Investigation
  132. 1Paragraph 1
  133. 2Paragraph 2
  134. 3Paragraph 3
  135. 4Paragraph 4
  136. 5Paragraph 5
  137. 5AParagraph 5A
  138. 5BParagraph 5B
  139. 6Paragraph 6
  140. 7Paragraph 7
  141. 8Paragraph 8
  142. Schedule 5A: Matters not subject to investigation under Part 3A
  143. 1Paragraph 1
  144. 2Paragraph 2
  145. 3Paragraph 3
  146. 4Paragraph 4
  147. Schedule 6RELAXATION AND REMOVAL OF CONTROLS
  148. Schedule 7: MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
  149. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  150. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  151. 3—10Paragraph 3—10 Repealed
  152. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  153. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  154. The Water Act 1973
  155. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  156. 14Paragraph 14
  157. The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
  158. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  159. Schedule 8Enactments Repealed