{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/local-government-act-1999/section-3",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/local-government-act-1999/section-3.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1999/27",
  "legislation_title": "Local Government Act 1999",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/local-government-act-1999",
  "path": "section/3",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "3",
  "heading": "The general duty.",
  "text": "(1) A best value authority must make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.\n(2) For the purpose of deciding how to fulfil the duty arising under subsection (1) an authority must consult—\n(a) representatives of persons liable to pay any tax, precept or levy to or in respect of the authority,\n(b) representatives of persons liable to pay non-domestic rates in respect of any area within which the authority carries out functions,\n(c) representatives of persons who use or are likely to use services provided by the authority, and\n(d) representatives of persons appearing to the authority to have an interest in any area within which the authority carries out functions.\n(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) “representatives” in relation to a group of persons means persons who appear to the authority to be representative of that group.\n(4) In deciding—\n(a) how to fulfil the duty arising under subsection (1),\n(b) who to consult under subsection (2), or\n(c) the form, content and timing of consultations under that subsection,\nan authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 3(4) substituted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 137, 245(5); S.I. 2008/591, art. 2(a); S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(1)(b)"
    },
    {
      "type": "I",
      "label": "I1",
      "text": "S. 3 wholly in force at 1.4.2000; s. 3 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 27 ; s. 3(2)-(4) in force (E.) at 10.8.1999 and (W.) for certain purposes at 10.8.1999 by S.I. 1999/2169, art. 2(2), Sch. 1; s. 3(1) in force (E.) at 1.4.2000 and (W.) for certain purposes at 1.4.2000 by S.I. 1999/2169, art. 4(2), Sch. 3; s. 3(2)-(4) in force (W.) at 1.10.1999 by S.I. 1999/2815, art. 2; s. 3(1) in force (W.) at 1.4.2000 by S.I. 1999/2815, art. 3"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/27/section/3",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:21:48.465960+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}