OpenLegislation

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972

1972 c. 9 (N.I.) · Enacted 23 March 1972 · Extends to Northern Ireland

Not fully up to date. 2 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 7 May 2024.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 143words substitutedLocal Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 Sch. 9 para. 3
s. 1(1)words substitutedThe Local Government (Boundaries) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 art. 5(1)

C1An Act to provide for the constitution of district councils to administer local government districts, for the regulation of such councils and for certain of their functions; to abolish existing local government areas and existing local authorities, with certain exceptions, and to enable provision to be made for the transfer of the functions, assets and liabilities of such authorities; and for connected purposes.

[23rd March 1972]C2

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act construed (2.6.2014 for specified purposes) by Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 8), s. 129, Sch. 5 para. 13 (with s. 124(4)); S.R. 2014/153, art. 3, Sch. 2

C2

Act: transfer of functions (8.5.2016) by The Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2016 (S.R. 2016/76), art. 1(2), Sch. 5 Pt. 1 (with art. 9(2))

Contents

  1. Part I: DISTRICTS AND COUNCILS
  2. 1District councils.
  3. 2Boroughs.
  4. Part II: MEMBERS, MEETINGS AND PROCEDURE
  5. Chapter: Councillors
  6. 3Qualifications.
  7. 4Disqualifications.
  8. 5Disqualifications to become inapplicable in certain cases. Repealed
  9. 6Penalties for acting while disqualified.
  10. 7Declaration on acceptance of office.
  11. 7ANorthern Ireland code of local government conduct. Repealed
  12. 8Resignation.
  13. 9Vacation of office on account of non-attendance.
  14. 10Declaration of vacancy in office in certain cases.
  15. Chapter: Chairman and vice-chairman
  16. 11Chairman. Repealed
  17. 12Payment of allowance to chairman. Repealed
  18. 12AElection of chairman. Repealed
  19. 13Vice-chairman. Repealed
  20. 14Declaration of acceptance of office. Repealed
  21. 15Resignation. Repealed
  22. 16Vacation of office on account of absence from district. Repealed
  23. 17Casual vacancy in office of chairman. Repealed
  24. Chapter: Committees
  25. 18Power to appoint committees and sub-committees. Repealed
  26. 19Joint committees. Repealed
  27. 19AVoting rights of members of committees, sub-committees and joint committees. Repealed
  28. 20Expenses of joint committees. Repealed
  29. 21Disqualification for membership of committees. Repealed
  30. Chapter: Procedure of council and committees
  31. 22Meetings and proceedings. Repealed
  32. Chapter: Admission to meetings
  33. 23Admission of public to meetings. Repealed
  34. 24Information to be given as to meetings. Repealed
  35. 25Facilities for newspaper representatives. Repealed
  36. 26Certain publications to be privileged. Repealed
  37. 27Savings. Repealed
  38. Chapter: Pecuniary interests
  39. 28Disclosure of councillors' pecuniary interests and disability from voting on account thereof.
  40. 29Restrictions on application of section 28.
  41. 30Relatives of councillors.
  42. 31Recovery of wrongful gains and remedies against councillor guilty of reprehensible conduct.
  43. 32Ancillary powers of the High Court in exercising jurisdiction under section 31.
  44. 33Time limit for proceedings under sections 28, 30 and 31.
  45. Chapter: General provisions as to councillors, chairman, vice-chairman and members of committees, etc.
  46. 34Re-election. Repealed
  47. 35Validity of acts done by unqualified person. Repealed
  48. 36Payments to councillors. Repealed
  49. 37Expenses of official and courtesy visits, etc. Repealed
  50. 38Expenses incurred in attending conferences and meetings. Repealed
  51. 39Insurance against accidents to councillors. Repealed
  52. IIIOFFICERS
  53. 40The Staff Commission.
  54. 41Appointment and qualification of officers.
  55. 41AAppointment of Officers by the Executive.
  56. 41BLoans to officers for purchase of motor cars or motor cycles.
  57. 42Councillors not to be appointed officers.
  58. 44Retirement of officers. Repealed
  59. 45Insurance against default of officers.
  60. 46Duty of officers to disclose pecuniary interest.
  61. 47Prohibition of acceptance of unauthorised fee or reward.
  62. 47ADelegation of functions to officers. Repealed
  63. 48Protection for officer acting in execution of duty. Repealed
  64. 49Officers of joint committee.
  65. Part IV: ALTERATIONS OF DISTRICTS
  66. 50Local government boundaries
  67. 51Change of name of district.
  68. 52Supplemental provisions as to alterations of boundaries or names.
  69. Part V: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
  70. Chapter: Annual budget and financial arrangements
  71. 53Annual budget. Repealed
  72. 54Arrangements for handling receipts and payments. Repealed
  73. Chapter: Funds
  74. 55The district fund. Repealed
  75. 56Power to establish capital fund and renewal and repairs fund. Repealed
  76. 57Capital fund. Repealed
  77. 58Renewal and repairs fund. Repealed
  78. 59Proceeds of sale of capital assets. Repealed
  79. 60Limitation on application of funds. Repealed
  80. Chapter: Borrowing
  81. 61Purposes for which money may be borrowed. Repealed
  82. 62Modes of borrowing. Repealed
  83. 63Security for borrowing. Repealed
  84. 64Priority of securities. Repealed
  85. 65Repayment of money borrowed. Repealed
  86. 66Power to suspend annual provision for repayment of, and to borrow for payment of interest on, certain borrowed money. Repealed
  87. 67Application of unexpended portion of borrowed money. Repealed
  88. 68Power to re-borrow. Repealed
  89. 69Lenders relieved from certain inquiries. Repealed
  90. 70Securities regulations. Repealed
  91. 71Appointment of receiver. Repealed
  92. 72Consolidated loans fund. Repealed
  93. 73Use of money forming part of capital fund or renewal and repairs fund. Repealed
  94. Chapter: Local government auditors
  95. 74Local government auditors. Repealed
  96. 75Audit Fees Repealed
  97. Chapter: Audit
  98. 76Audit of accounts of councils. Repealed
  99. 77Duties of officers as to audit. Repealed
  100. 77AConfidentiality of officers' records. Repealed
  101. 78Production of, and declaration as to, documents. Repealed
  102. 79Right to objection. Repealed
  103. 80Auditor's report. Repealed
  104. Chapter: Surcharge, etc.
  105. 81Declaration that item of account is unlawful. Repealed
  106. 82Recovery of amount not accounted for, etc. Repealed
  107. 82APower of auditor to issue prohibition order. Repealed
  108. 82BEffect of and appeals against prohibition orders. Repealed
  109. 82CSupplementary provisions as to prohibition orders. Repealed
  110. 82DPower of auditor to apply for judicial review. Repealed
  111. Functions of Ministry as to accounts and audit
  112. 87Regulations as to accounts and audit. Repealed
  113. 88Extraordinary audits and inspections. Repealed
  114. Chapter: Studies for improving economy, etc. of services
  115. 89AStudies for improving economy, etc. of services. Repealed
  116. Part VI: BYE-LAWS
  117. 90Bye-laws.
  118. 91Procedure, etc., for making bye-laws.
  119. 92Penalties for contravention of bye-laws.
  120. 93Enforcement of bye-laws.
  121. 94Evidence of bye-laws.
  122. Part VII: MISCELLANEOUS FUNCTIONS
  123. Chapter: Land
  124. 95Provisions of offices, halls, etc.
  125. 96Acquisition, etc., of land.
  126. 97Acquisition of land otherwise than by agreement.
  127. 98Power to enter on land.
  128. Chapter: Contracts
  129. 99Contracts of councils.
  130. 100Sealing of contracts
  131. Chapter: Local and personal Bills
  132. 101Power to promote or oppose local or personal Bills.
  133. 102Sanction of council to promotion of, or opposition to, Bills.
  134. 103Taxation of costs.
  135. Chapter: Co-operation with other councils, public bodies and government departments
  136. 104Agency arrangements
  137. 105Arrangements for the supply of goods and services or interchange of staff.
  138. 106Contribution to other councils, etc.
  139. Chapter: Co-operation with voluntary bodies, etc.
  140. 107Contributions for development of trade, tourism and cultural activities.
  141. 108Contributions to other voluntary bodies.
  142. Chapter: Advice and information
  143. 109Instruction, lectures, etc., on questions relating to the functions of councils.
  144. 110Information centres.
  145. Chapter: Other miscellaneous functions
  146. 111Subscriptions. Repealed
  147. 112Insurance.
  148. 113Exercise of certain functions outside district.
  149. 113APower to provide advice and assistance.
  150. 114Acceptance of gifts.
  151. 115Expenditure for special purposes. Repealed
  152. Chapter: Publicity
  153. 115APublicity Prohibition of political publicity.
  154. 115BCodes of recommended practice as regards publicity.
  155. 115CSeparate account of expenditure on publicity.
  156. 115DSections 115A to 115C: supplementary provisions.
  157. Part VIII: LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
  158. Chapter: Legal proceedings
  159. 116Power to prosecute or defend.
  160. 117Appearance in legal proceedings.
  161. 118Name of council need not be proved.
  162. 119Evidence of resolutions, etc.
  163. Chapter: Administrative provisions
  164. 120The seal.
  165. 121Inspection of documents. Repealed
  166. 122Public notices.
  167. 123Penalty for destroying notices.
  168. 124Authentication of documents.
  169. 125Custody of records.
  170. 126Compensation for damage by council.
  171. Chapter: Supervision of councils
  172. 127Information, reports and returns. Repealed
  173. 128Inquiries and investigations. Repealed
  174. 129Default of council. Repealed
  175. Chapter: Jurisdiction of High Court
  176. 130Exercise of jurisdiction of High Court.
  177. IXABOLITION OF EXISTING LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
  178. 131Abolition of existing local government areas and dissolution of existing local authorities, with certain exceptions.
  179. 132Charters
  180. 133Transfer of functions.
  181. 134Supplementary and transitional provisions.
  182. 135Transfer of officers
  183. 136Superannuation officers.
  184. 137Compensation of officers
  185. 140Bye-laws, etc.
  186. XGENERAL
  187. 142Application of Act to joint committees.
  188. 143Orders and regulations.
  189. 145Payments due by councils to government departments, etc. Repealed
  190. 146Interpretation: pecuniary interests.
  191. 147Interpretation: “provide” and “maintain”.
  192. 148General interpretation.
  193. 149Amendments, repeals and savings.
  194. 150Short title and commencement.
  195. Schedule 1: DECLARATIONS ON ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
  196. IDECLARATION OF COUNCILLOR
  197. Schedule 2: MEETINGS AND PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES Repealed
  198. Part Repealed
  199. Chapter: Holding of meetings Repealed
  200. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  201. Chapter: Convening meetings Repealed
  202. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  203. Chapter: Chairman of meeting Repealed
  204. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  205. Chapter: Quorum Repealed
  206. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  207. Chapter: Names of councillors present to be recorded Repealed
  208. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  209. Chapter: Person authorised by Ministry may attend meetings Repealed
  210. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  211. Chapter: Decision on questions Repealed
  212. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  213. Chapter: Mode of voting Repealed
  214. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  215. Chapter: Minutes Repealed
  216. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  217. Chapter: Standing orders Repealed
  218. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  219. Chapter: Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings Repealed
  220. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  221. Chapter: Proceedings of committees Repealed
  222. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  223. Schedule 3: THE STAFF COMMISSION
  224. Part
  225. Chapter: Members
  226. 1Paragraph 1
  227. Chapter: Allowances
  228. 2Paragraph 2
  229. 2AParagraph 2A
  230. Chapter: Expenses
  231. 3Paragraph 3
  232. 4Paragraph 4
  233. 5Paragraph 5
  234. 6Paragraph 6
  235. 7Paragraph 7
  236. 7AParagraph 7A
  237. 8Paragraph 8
  238. 9Paragraph 9
  239. Chapter: Borrowing
  240. 10Paragraph 10
  241. Chapter: Accounts, etc., and audit
  242. 11Paragraph 11
  243. 12Paragraph 12
  244. Chapter: Information, reports and returns
  245. 13Paragraph 13
  246. Schedule 4: LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES COMMISSIONER
  247. Part I: APPOINTMENT, ETC.
  248. Interpretation
  249. 1Paragraph 1
  250. Appointment
  251. 2Paragraph 2
  252. Assistant Commissioners and assessors
  253. 3Paragraph 3
  254. Officers
  255. 4Paragraph 4
  256. Remuneration and expenses
  257. 5Paragraph 5
  258. Part II: PROCEDURE
  259. Procedure for Commissioner appointed under section 50(1)(a)
  260. 6Paragraph 6
  261. Procedure for Commissioner appointed under section 50(1)(b)
  262. 7Paragraph 7
  263. Procedure for Commissioner appointed under section 50(4)
  264. 8Paragraph 8
  265. Commissioner's procedure - general
  266. 9Paragraph 9
  267. 10Paragraph 10
  268. 11Paragraph 11
  269. 12Paragraph 12
  270. 13Paragraph 13
  271. Part III: RULES IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHICH RECOMMENDATIONS OF A COMMISSIONER ARE TO BE MADE
  272. 14Paragraph 14
  273. 15Paragraph 15
  274. 16Paragraph 16
  275. 17Paragraph 17
  276. 18Paragraph 18
  277. 19Paragraph 19
  278. Schedule 5
  279. 1Paragraph 1
  280. 2Paragraph 2
  281. 3Paragraph 3
  282. 4Paragraph 4
  283. 5Paragraph 5
  284. 6Paragraph 6
  285. 7Paragraph 7
  286. 8Paragraph 8
  287. 9Paragraph 9
  288. Schedule 6: ACQUISITION OF LAND BY VESTING ORDER
  289. Part
  290. Chapter: Preliminary procedure
  291. 1Paragraph 1
  292. 2Paragraph 2
  293. Chapter: Making of vesting order
  294. 3Paragraph 3
  295. 4Paragraph 4
  296. Chapter: Validity and operation of vesting orders
  297. 5Paragraph 5
  298. 6Paragraph 6
  299. 7Paragraph 7
  300. 8Paragraph 8
  301. 9Paragraph 9
  302. 10Paragraph 10
  303. Chapter: Reference of disputed cases to the Lands Tribunal
  304. 11Paragraph 11
  305. 12Paragraph 12
  306. Chapter: Special powers of the Lands Tribunal
  307. 13Paragraph 13
  308. Chapter: Satisfaction of claims
  309. 14Paragraph 14
  310. 15Paragraph 15
  311. 16Paragraph 16
  312. 17Paragraph 17
  313. 18Paragraph 18
  314. Chapter: Payment of Ministry's costs by council
  315. 19Paragraph 19
  316. Chapter: Interpretation
  317. 20Paragraph 20
  318. Schedule 7PROVISIONS APPLIED TO JOINT COMMITTEES
  319. Schedule Schedule
  320. Schedule Schedule