OpenLegislation

Local Government Act 1985

1985 c. 51 · Enacted 16 July 1985 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 12 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 April 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 60(6)repealed (saving) (temp.)Justices of the Peace Act 1997 (repealed) s. 73(1)(3) Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 7(2)(f)(i) Sch. 6 Pt. 1
s. 88amendedGreater London Authority Act 1999 s. 397(10)
s. 88repealed in partGreater London Authority Act 1999 s. 397(10) s. 397(11) 423 Sch. 34 Pt. 9
Sch. 13 para. 17omittedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 9 para. 3(b)
Sch. 13 para. 14(aa)words insertedLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 9 para. 3(a)
s. 35modified in partThe Surrey (Structural Changes) (Pensions etc.) Order 2026 Sch. para. 5(d)
s. 41modifiedThe Surrey (Structural Changes) (Pensions etc.) Order 2026 Sch. para. 5(e)
s. 72modified in partThe Surrey (Structural Changes) (Pensions etc.) Order 2026 Sch. para. 6(a)
s. 73(1)modifiedThe Surrey (Structural Changes) (Pensions etc.) Order 2026 Sch. para. 6(b)
s. 32modified in partThe Surrey (Structural Changes) (Pensions etc.) Order 2026 Sch. para. 5(b)
s. 31modifiedThe Surrey (Structural Changes) (Pensions etc.) Order 2026 Sch. para. 5(a)
s. 34modifiedThe Surrey (Structural Changes) (Pensions etc.) Order 2026 Sch. para. 5(c)
C1C2C3An Act to abolish the Greater London Council and the metropolitan county councils; to transfer their functions to the local authorities in their areas and, in some cases, to other bodies; and to provide for other matters consequential on, or connected with, the abolition of those councils.[16th July 1985]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Certain rights and liabilities arising by virtue of the Act transferred by S.I. 1986/148, art. 9(1)(2)

C2

Act amended by Transport Act 1985 (c. 67, SIF 126), ss. 58(5), 140(2)

C3

Act explained by Housing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 (c.71, SIF 61) s. 5(1), Sch. 3 para. 5(2)

Contents

  1. Part I: Abolition of Greater London Council and Metropolitan County Councils
  2. 1Abolition of GLC and metropolitan county councils.
  3. Part II: Transfer of Functions to London Borough Councils, Metropolitan District Councils and Other Existing Authorities
  4. Preliminary
  5. 2Commencement of Part II.
  6. Town and country planning etc.
  7. 3Local planning authorities.
  8. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  9. 6Listed buildings, conservation areas and ancient monuments.
  10. 7National Parks and countryside functions.
  11. Highways and road traffic
  12. 8Highways and road traffic functions.
  13. Waste regulation and disposal
  14. 9Waste regulation and disposal functions.
  15. 10Joint arrangements for waste disposal functions.
  16. Land drainage and flood prevention
  17. 11Land drainage and flood prevention functions.
  18. Administration of justice
  19. 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  20. 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  21. 14Local valuation panels. Repealed
  22. 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  23. Miscellaneous
  24. 16Miscellaneous functions.
  25. 17Functions under local statutory provisions.
  26. Part III
  27. 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  28. Part IV: Police, Fire Services, Civil Defence and Transport
  29. Establishment of joint authorities
  30. 23Preliminary.
  31. 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  32. 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  33. 26Metropolitan county fire and civil defence authorities.
  34. 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  35. 28Integrated Transport Authorities
  36. Members of joint authorities
  37. 29Number of members.
  38. 30First appointments. Repealed
  39. 31Replacement of members.
  40. 32Filling of vacancies.
  41. 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  42. 34Chairman, vice-chairman, and clerk.
  43. 35Disqualification.
  44. 36Notices.
  45. Functions
  46. 37Police and fire services.
  47. 38Civil defence. Repealed
  48. 39Passenger transport.
  49. 40Airports.
  50. 41Questions on discharge of functions.
  51. 42Reorganisation of functions.
  52. Part V: The Arts, Recreation and Voluntary Organisations
  53. 43Museum of London.
  54. 44Historic House Museums.
  55. 45Horniman and Geffrye museums.
  56. 46Metropolitan county museums.
  57. 47The South Bank
  58. 48Grants to voluntary organisations.
  59. 49Grants by residuary bodies. Repealed
  60. Part VI: Staff
  61. 50Functions of staff commission. Repealed
  62. 51Remuneration of employees. Repealed
  63. 52Power to transfer staff.
  64. 53Compensation for loss of office or diminution of emoluments.
  65. 54Continuity of employment in certain cases of voluntary transfer.
  66. 55Offers of employment by successor authorities. Repealed
  67. 56Information as to local government manpower. Repealed
  68. Part VII: Residuary Bodies
  69. 57Establishment of residuary bodies.
  70. 58Repayment of loans.
  71. 59Redundancy and compensation payments. Repealed
  72. 60Payment of pensions.
  73. 61Payment of pensions increases.
  74. 62Custody of residuary property etc.
  75. 63Preparation of final accounts. Repealed
  76. 64Commutation of smallholdings and housing payments. Repealed
  77. 65Directions. Repealed
  78. 66Discharge of certain residuary functions by designated councils.
  79. 67Winding up of residuary bodies.
  80. Part VIII: Financial Provisions
  81. New authorities
  82. 68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  83. 69Block grant. Repealed
  84. 70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  85. 72Accounts and audit.
  86. 73Financial administration.
  87. Residuary bodies
  88. 74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  89. 75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  90. 76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  91. 77Treatment and distribution of capital and other money.
  92. 78Accounts. Repealed
  93. 79Audit. Repealed
  94. Transitional provisions
  95. 80Transitional provisions relating to block grant and expenditure levels. Repealed
  96. 81Transitional functions of residuary bodies in respect of block grant. Repealed
  97. 82Transitional provisions for interim authorities. Repealed
  98. London rate equalisation
  99. 83London rate equalisation schemes. Repealed
  100. Part IX: Miscellaneous and Supplementary
  101. 84Application of local authority provisions to new authorities.
  102. 85Exercise of functions by new authorities in initial period. Repealed
  103. 86First meetings of new authorities. Repealed
  104. 87Local and personal Bills.
  105. 88Research and collection of information.
  106. 89GLC housing transfer orders and nomination rights.
  107. 90Charities.
  108. 91Control of financial and other assistance to local authorities by GLC and metropolitan county councils. Repealed
  109. 92Control of liabilities affecting successor authorities. Repealed
  110. 93Control of disposals and contracts. Repealed
  111. 94The Temples.
  112. 95Co-ordinating committees of successor councils. Repealed
  113. 96Information for implementation of Act. Repealed
  114. 97Other provisions for implementation of Act. Repealed
  115. 98Continuity of exercise of functions.
  116. 99Disqualification of justices. Repealed
  117. 100Transfer of property, rights and liabilities.
  118. 101Power to make incidental, consequential, and transitional provisions.
  119. 102Consequential amendments and repeals.
  120. 103Orders etc.
  121. 104Expenses.
  122. 105Interpretation.
  123. 106Short title and extent.
  124. Schedule 1
  125. Schedule 2: Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Ancient Monuments
  126. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  127. Ancient monuments
  128. 2Paragraph 2
  129. Other functions
  130. 3Paragraph 3
  131. 4Paragraph 4
  132. Schedule 3: National Parks and Countryside Functions
  133. Byelaws for country parks etc.
  134. 1Paragraph 1
  135. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  136. Functions of local planning authorities in National Parks
  137. 3Paragraph 3
  138. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  139. 5Paragraph 5
  140. Grants for expenditure on National Parks
  141. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  142. Other powers relating to nature conservation, the countryside and the National Parks
  143. 7Paragraph 7
  144. Schedule 4: Highways
  145. Part I: Amendments of the Highways Act 1980
  146. 1Paragraph 1
  147. 2Paragraph 2
  148. 3Paragraph 3
  149. 4Paragraph 4
  150. 5Paragraph 5
  151. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  152. 7Paragraph 7
  153. 8Paragraph 8
  154. 9Paragraph 9
  155. 10Paragraph 10
  156. 11Paragraph 11
  157. 12Paragraph 12
  158. 13Paragraph 13
  159. 14Paragraph 14
  160. 15Paragraph 15
  161. 16Paragraph 16
  162. 17Paragraph 17
  163. 18Paragraph 18
  164. 19Paragraph 19
  165. 20Paragraph 20
  166. 21Paragraph 21
  167. 22Paragraph 22
  168. 23Paragraph 23
  169. 24Paragraph 24
  170. 25Paragraph 25
  171. 26Paragraph 26
  172. 27Paragraph 27
  173. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  174. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  175. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  176. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  177. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  178. 33Paragraph 33
  179. 34Paragraph 34
  180. 35Paragraph 35
  181. 36Paragraph 36
  182. 37Paragraph 37
  183. 38Paragraph 38
  184. 39Paragraph 39
  185. 40Paragraph 40
  186. 41Paragraph 41
  187. 42Paragraph 42
  188. 43Paragraph 43
  189. 44Paragraph 44
  190. Part II: Amendments of Other Enactments
  191. 45Paragraph 45 Repealed
  192. 46Paragraph 46 Repealed
  193. 47Paragraph 47 Repealed
  194. 48Paragraph 48 Repealed
  195. 49Paragraph 49
  196. 50Paragraph 50 Repealed
  197. 51Paragraph 51
  198. Part III: Supplementary Provisions
  199. 52Paragraph 52
  200. 53Paragraph 53 Repealed
  201. 54Paragraph 54
  202. 55Paragraph 55
  203. 56Paragraph 56
  204. 57Paragraph 57
  205. Schedule 5: Road Traffic
  206. Part I: Amendments of Enactments
  207. The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
  208. 1Paragraph 1
  209. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  210. The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
  211. 3Paragraph 3
  212. The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
  213. 4Paragraph 4
  214. Part II: Supplementary Provisions Relating To Road Traffic
  215. Designation of roads in Greater London
  216. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  217. Guidance as to exercise of traffic powers in Greater London and metropolitan counties
  218. 6Paragraph 6
  219. Procedures and objections
  220. 7Paragraph 7
  221. Application of Part VI of Schedule 9 to the 1984 Act
  222. 8Paragraph 8
  223. Supplementary
  224. 9Paragraph 9
  225. Reserve powers of the Secretary of State as to traffic control systems in Greater London and metropolitan counties
  226. 10Paragraph 10
  227. Information
  228. 11Paragraph 11
  229. Transitional provisions concerning certain orders under the 1984 Act
  230. 12Paragraph 12
  231. Interpretation
  232. 13Paragraph 13
  233. Commencement
  234. 14Paragraph 14
  235. Schedule 6: Waste Regulation and Disposal
  236. The London Government Act 1963
  237. 1Paragraph 1
  238. The Local Government Act 1972
  239. 2Paragraph 2
  240. The Control of Pollution Act 1974
  241. 3Paragraph 3
  242. The Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978
  243. 4Paragraph 4
  244. The Litter Act 1983
  245. 5Paragraph 5
  246. Schedule 7: Land Drainage Repealed
  247. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  248. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  249. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  250. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  251. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  252. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  253. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  254. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  255. Schedule 8: Miscellaneous Functions
  256. Public entertainments
  257. 1Paragraph 1
  258. Private places of entertainment
  259. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  260. Theatres
  261. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  262. Cinemas
  263. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  264. Children’s entertainments
  265. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  266. Tracks for betting
  267. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  268. Sports grounds
  269. 7Paragraph 7
  270. Town development and new towns
  271. 8Paragraph 8
  272. 9Paragraph 9
  273. Commons
  274. 10Paragraph 10
  275. Gipsy encampments
  276. 11Paragraph 11
  277. Housing
  278. 12Paragraph 12
  279. Rent officers
  280. 13Paragraph 13
  281. Building control
  282. 14Paragraph 14
  283. Trading standards and related functions
  284. 15Paragraph 15
  285. Poisons
  286. 16Paragraph 16
  287. Animals
  288. 17Paragraph 17
  289. 18Paragraph 18
  290. Fisheries
  291. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  292. 20Paragraph 20
  293. Weeds
  294. 21Paragraph 21
  295. Archives and records
  296. 22Paragraph 22
  297. Expenses of Commission for Local Administration in England
  298. 23Paragraph 23
  299. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  300. Administrative functions transferred by Courts Act 1971
  301. 25Paragraph 25
  302. Loan societies
  303. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  304. Mines and quarries
  305. 27Paragraph 27
  306. Schedule 9: . . .
  307. Schedule 10: NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF JOINT AUTHORITIES
  308. IPart I
  309. IIGreater Manchester Repealed
  310. IIIMerseyside
  311. IVSouth Yorkshire
  312. VTyne and Wear and Northumberland
  313. VIWest Midlands
  314. IIIWest Yorkshire
  315. Schedule 11: Police and Fire Services
  316. Police
  317. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  318. Fire services
  319. 2Paragraph 2
  320. Explosives, petroleum etc.
  321. 3Paragraph 3
  322. 4Paragraph 4
  323. 5Paragraph 5
  324. 6Paragraph 6
  325. Schedule 12: Passenger Transport
  326. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  327. 3Paragraph 3
  328. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  329. 5Paragraph 5
  330. Schedule 13: Residuary Bodies
  331. Status
  332. 1Paragraph 1
  333. Tenure of office of members
  334. 2Paragraph 2
  335. Remuneration etc. of members
  336. 3Paragraph 3
  337. House of Commons disqualification
  338. 4Paragraph 4
  339. Proceedings
  340. 5Paragraph 5
  341. 6Paragraph 6
  342. Acquisition and disposal of land
  343. 7Paragraph 7
  344. Provision of services
  345. 8Paragraph 8
  346. Access to documents of councils
  347. 9Paragraph 9
  348. Reports and information
  349. 10Paragraph 10
  350. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  351. Application of local government provisions
  352. 12Paragraph 12
  353. 13Paragraph 13
  354. 14Paragraph 14
  355. 15Paragraph 15
  356. 16Paragraph 16
  357. 17Paragraph 17
  358. 18Paragraph 18
  359. 19Paragraph 19
  360. 20Paragraph 20
  361. 21Paragraph 21
  362. 22Paragraph 22
  363. 23Paragraph 23
  364. 24Paragraph 24
  365. 25Paragraph 25
  366. 26Paragraph 26
  367. Schedule 14: New Authorities: Application of Local Authority Provisions
  368. Part I: Amendments of Local Government Act 1972
  369. Restrictions on promotion of Bills for changing local government areas etc.
  370. 1Paragraph 1
  371. Qualifications for election and holding office
  372. 2Paragraph 2
  373. Disqualifications for election and holding office
  374. 3Paragraph 3
  375. Validity of acts done by unqualified persons
  376. 4Paragraph 4
  377. Declaration of acceptance of office
  378. 5Paragraph 5
  379. Resignation
  380. 6Paragraph 6
  381. Failure to attend meetings
  382. 7Paragraph 7
  383. Declaration of vacancy
  384. 8Paragraph 8
  385. Date of casual vacancies
  386. 9Paragraph 9
  387. Filling of casual vacancies
  388. 10Paragraph 10
  389. Term of office of person filling casual vacancy
  390. 11Paragraph 11
  391. Proceedings for disqualification
  392. 12Paragraph 12
  393. Pecuniary interests
  394. 13Paragraph 13
  395. Meetings and proceedings
  396. 14Paragraph 14
  397. Discharge of functions
  398. 15Paragraph 15
  399. Miscellaneous powers of local authorities
  400. 16Paragraph 16
  401. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  402. Allowances to members
  403. 18Paragraph 18
  404. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  405. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  406. Legal proceedings
  407. 21Paragraph 21
  408. Documents and notices
  409. 22Paragraph 22
  410. 23Paragraph 23
  411. 24Paragraph 24
  412. 25Paragraph 25
  413. 26Paragraph 26
  414. 27Paragraph 27
  415. 28Paragraph 28
  416. 29Paragraph 29
  417. 30Paragraph 30
  418. Byelaws
  419. 31Paragraph 31
  420. Promoting and opposing local and personal Bills
  421. 32Paragraph 32
  422. Computation of time
  423. 33Paragraph 33
  424. Interpretation
  425. 34Paragraph 34
  426. Meetings and proceedings
  427. 35Paragraph 35
  428. Part II: Amendments of Other Enactments
  429. 36Paragraph 36
  430. 37Paragraph 37
  431. 38Paragraph 38
  432. 39Paragraph 39
  433. 40Paragraph 40
  434. 41Paragraph 41
  435. 42Paragraph 42
  436. 43Paragraph 43
  437. 44Paragraph 44
  438. 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  439. 46Paragraph 46
  440. 47Paragraph 47
  441. 48Paragraph 48 Repealed
  442. 49Paragraph 49 Repealed
  443. 50Paragraph 50
  444. 51Paragraph 51
  445. 52Paragraph 52
  446. 53Paragraph 53
  447. 54Paragraph 54 Repealed
  448. 55Paragraph 55
  449. 56Paragraph 56
  450. 57Paragraph 57 Repealed
  451. 58Paragraph 58
  452. 59Paragraph 59
  453. 60Paragraph 60
  454. 61Paragraph 61
  455. 62Paragraph 62
  456. 63Paragraph 63
  457. 64Paragraph 64 Repealed
  458. Schedule 15: Section 91: Supplementary Provisions Repealed
  459. Part I: Relevant Assistance Repealed
  460. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  461. Part II: Consequences of Contravention Repealed
  462. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  463. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  464. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  465. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  466. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  467. Part III: Failure to Furnish Information Repealed
  468. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  469. Schedule 16: Consequential Amendments
  470. The London Government Act 1963 (c.33)
  471. 1Paragraph 1
  472. The Local Government Act 1972 (c.70)
  473. 2Paragraph 2
  474. 3Paragraph 3
  475. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  476. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  477. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  478. 7Paragraph 7
  479. 8Paragraph 8
  480. The Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c.65)
  481. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  482. The Representation of the People Act 1983 (c.2)
  483. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  484. 11Paragraph 11
  485. Schedule 17: Repeals