OpenLegislation

Section 3A Grant and supervision of exemptions from political restriction: EnglandF1C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8C9C10C11C12C13C14C15

England, Wales and Scotland

(1)

The F2head of paid service of a local authority in England F3...—

(a)

must consider any application for exemption from political restriction which is made to the F4head of paid service, in respect of any post under the F5... authority, by the holder for the time being of that post; and

(b)

may, on the application of any person or otherwise, give directions to the F6... authority requiring it to include a post in the list maintained by the authority under section 2(2).

(2)

An application may not be made under subsection (1)(a) unless—

(a)

the F7... authority have specified or are proposing to specify the post in the list maintained by them under section 2(2);F8...

F9(b)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10...

(3)

If, on an application under subsection (1)(a) in respect of any post, the F11head of paid service is satisfied that the duties of the post do not fall within section 2(3), the F12head of paid service must direct—

(a)

that, for so long as the direction has effect in accordance with its terms, the post is not to be regarded as a politically restricted post; and

(b)

that accordingly the post is not to be specified in the list maintained by the F13... authority under section 2(2) or (as the case may be) is to be removed from that list.

(4)

A F14local authority's head of paid service may not give a direction under subsection (1)(b) in respect of any post unless the F15head of paid service is satisfied that—

(a)

the duties of the post fall within section 2(3); and

(b)

the post is neither—

(i)

in any list maintained by the F16... authority in accordance with section 2(2) above or section 100G(2) of the Local Government Act 1972; nor

(ii)

of a description specified in any regulations under section 2(2) above.

F17(5)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)

Every local authority in England F18... must—

(a)

give its F19head of paid service all such information as the F20head of paid service may reasonably require for the purpose of carrying out F21... functions under this section;

(b)

comply with any direction under this section with respect to the list maintained by the authority; and

(c)

on being given a direction under subsection (1)(b), notify the terms of the direction to the person who holds the post to which the direction relates.

(7)

In carrying out F22... functions under this section a F23local authority's head of paid service must give priority, according to the time available before the election, to any application under subsection (1)(a) from a person who certifies that the application is made for the purpose of enabling him to be a candidate in a forthcoming election.

(F247A)

In carrying out functions under this section a local authority's head of paid service must consult the monitoring officer of that authority (unless they are the same person).

(7B)

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the application of this section to a local authority that is not required to designate one of its officers as the head of its paid service.

(7C)

Regulations under subsection (7B) may apply any provisions of this section (with or without modifications) to an authority to which they apply.

F25(8)

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(9)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1

Ss. 3A, 3B inserted (E.W.) (31.1.2008 for specified purposes, 1.4.2008 so far as not already in force) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 202(2), 245(5); S.I. 2008/172, art. 9(2); S.I. 2008/172, art. 9(3)

F2

Words in s. 3A(1) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(a); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F3

Words in s. 3A(1) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(b), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F4

Words in s. 3A(1)(a) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(c); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F5

Word in s. 3A(1)(a) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(d), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F6

Word in s. 3A(1)(b) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(2)(d), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F7

Word in s. 3A(2)(a) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(3), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F8

Word in s. 3A(2)(a) repealed (12.1.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 30(4)(a), 148(1)(d), Sch. 7 Pt. 1

F9

S. 3A(2)(b) repealed (12.1.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 30(4)(b), 148(1)(d), Sch. 7 Pt. 1

F10

Words in s. 3A(2) repealed (12.1.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 30(4)(c), 148(1)(d), Sch. 7 Pt. 1

F11

Words in s. 3A(3) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(4)(a); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F12

Words in s. 3A(3) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(4)(b); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F13

Word in s. 3A(3)(b) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(4)(c), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F14

Words in s. 3A(4) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(5)(a); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F15

Words in s. 3A(4) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(5)(b); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F16

Word in s. 3A(4)(b)(i) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(5)(c), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F17

S. 3A(5) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(6), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F18

Words in s. 3A(6) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(a), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F19

Words in s. 3A(6)(a) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(b)(i); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F20

Words in s. 3A(6)(a) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(b)(ii); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F21

Word in s. 3A(6)(a) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(7)(b)(iii), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F22

Word in s. 3A(7) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(8)(a), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

F23

Words in s. 3A(7) substituted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(8)(b); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F24

S. 3A(7A)-(7C) inserted (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(9); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b) (with arts. 3-6)

F25

S. 3A(8)-(10) repealed (1.7.2012 for specified purposes, 22.11.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 4 para. 4(10), Sch. 25 Pt. 5; S.I. 2012/1463, art. 5(a)(d) (with arts. 6, 7) (as amended (3.7.2012) by S.I. 2012/1714, art. 2); S.I. 2012/2913, arts. 1(2), 2(b)(c) (with arts. 3-6)

Modifications

C1

S. 3A applied (with modifications) (26.7.2012) by The Local Authorities (Exemption from Political Restrictions) (Designation) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1644), regs. 1(1), 2

C2

S. 3A applied (with modifications) (3.3.2017) by The Tees Valley Combined Authority (Functions) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/250), arts. 1(2), 6(b)

C3

S. 3A applied (E.) (8.5.2017) by The West of England Combined Authority Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/126), arts. 1(4), 15(b)

C4

S. 3A applied (E.) (8.5.2017) by The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/612), arts. 1(3), 5(b)

C5

S. 3A applied (E.) (8.5.2017) by The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/430), arts. 1(3), 12(1)(b)

C6

S. 3A applied (E.) (8.5.2017) by The West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/510), arts. 1(2), 14(b)

C7

S. 3A applied (2.11.2018) by The Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1133), arts. 1, 17(1)(b) (with art. 28)

C8

S. 3A applied (E.) (28.7.2020) by The Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/806), arts. 1, 13(1)(b)

C9

S. 3A applied (E.) (30.1.2021) by The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Election of Mayor and Functions) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/112), arts. 1(2), 16(1)(b)

C10

S. 3A applied in part (E.) (20.12.2023) by The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1432), arts. 1(2), 12(1)(b)

C11

S. 3A applied (E.) (28.2.2024) by The East Midlands Combined County Authority Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/232), regs. 1(2), 13(1)

C12

S. 3A applied (E.) (7.5.2024) by The North East Mayoral Combined Authority (Establishment and Functions) Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/402), arts. 1(3), 41(1)(b) (with art. 9)

C13

S. 3A applied (E.) (5.2.2025) by The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/117), regs. 1(2), 12(1)

C14

S. 3A applied (E.) (5.2.2025) by The Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/113), arts. 1(2), 20(1)

C15

S. 3A applied by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 217A(1) (as inserted (29.4.2026) by English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (c. 23), s. 108(1)(3), Sch. 20 para. 12 (with s. 102))

Notes on Part I

Modifications

C1

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-21) applied (temp. from 4.5.1995 to 31.3.1996) by S.I. 1995/1042, art. 4(1)

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-21): power conferred to make provisions about matters of the kind dealt with in this part (1.9.1997) by 1997 c. 50, s. 44(1), Sch. 4 para. (j)(i); S.I. 1997/1930, art. 2(1)(2)(m) (subject to art. 2(3))

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-21): extended (E.W.) (26.10.2000 for E. and 28.7.2001 for W.) by 2000 c. 22, ss. 23, 108(4), Sch. 1 para. 3(13); S.I. 2000/2849, art. 2(c)

C2

Pt. 1 (ss. 1-21): extended (E.) (6.5.2002) by The Local Authorities (Elected Mayor and Mayor's Assistant) (England) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/975), regs. 1(2), 3(6)

C3

Pt. 1 functions made exercisable by joint standards committees (E.) (15.6.2009) by The Standards Committee (Further Provisions) (England) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/1255), regs. 1(1), 14

C4

Pt. 1 modified (26.3.2026) by The Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/362), regs. 1(2), 7(4)

C5

Pt. 1 modified (4.6.2026) by The Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/595), regs. 1(2), 7(4)