Explanatory note

Under Part II of the Local Government Act 1992, where recommendations for changes to local government in England are made by the Local Government Commission, the Secretary of State may make an order (“a reorganisation order”). The Local Government Changes for England (Finance) Regulations 1994 make transitional provisions for authorities subject to a reorganisation order.

These Regulations amend regulation 46(1) of the 1994 Regulations which concerns the valuation list of a new billing authority. They provide that the valuation list supplied under regulation 46(4) is to be such an authority’s valuation list for the purposes of Chapter II of Part I of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14) (regulation 2(2)).

These Regulations also amend regulation 53 of the 1994 Regulations which concerns the levy on disposals under section 136 of the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (c. 28). The Regulations provide for references to a designated authority to be substituted by references to a successor authority (regulation 2(3)).

In addition the Regulations add a new regulation 54A which passes to the designated authority the rights and duties of the abolished authority in respect of payments under specified provisions of the Housing Act 1985 and the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 in respect of improvement for sale schemes, defective dwellings, Housing Revenue Account subsidy, slum clearance subsidy and financial assistance towards services for owners and occupiers of houses (regulation 2(4)).