Explanatory note

This Order amends article 7 of the Localism Act 2011 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional, Savings and Transitory Provisions) Order 2012 (“the Order”).

Chapter 7 of Part 1 of the Localism Act 2011 makes provision in relation to standards matters. Relevant authorities have a duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members and must adopt a code of conduct. Relevant authorities must have arrangements in place to deal with any allegations of failure to comply with the code of conduct and must appoint an independent person.

Article 7 of the Order contains transitional provisions relating to the appointment of the independent person under section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011. Article 2 of this Order inserts new paragraph (2A) to limit the period of an appointment under the transitional provisions in the Order to not later than the 30th June 2013. New paragraph (2B) inserted by article 2 of this Order ensures that the amendments do not apply where an appointment has been made before 24th July 2012 and where the period of that appointment ends on or after 1st July 2013.