OpenLegislation

Local Government Act 2000

2000 c. 22 · Enacted 28 July 2000 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 18 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 June 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 21FinsertedLocal Government (Wales) Measure 2011 s. 60
s. 21(2)(e)words insertedLocal Government (Wales) Measure 2011 s. 59(2)
s. 21(2A)words insertedLocal Government (Wales) Measure 2011 s. 59(4)
s. 21(2ZA)insertedLocal Government (Wales) Measure 2011 s. 59(3)
s. 21(13)(c)insertedLocal Government (Wales) Measure 2011 s. 59(5)(b)
s. 21(15A)insertedLocal Government (Wales) Measure 2011 s. 59(6)
s. 21(18)insertedLocal Government (Wales) Measure 2011 s. 59(7)
s. 21(4)words insertedPolice and Justice Act 2006 Sch. 14 para. 38(2)
s. 21(10)words insertedPolice and Justice Act 2006 Sch. 14 para. 38(3)
s. 94(1)words substitutedWelfare Reform Act 2007 Sch. 3 para. 21
s. 96repealedWelfare Reform Act 2012 Sch. 14 Pt. 1
s. 9HC(3)insertedEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 30 para. 7(c)
s. 9HD(2)word insertedEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 30 para. 8
s. 9Rwords insertedEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 30 para. 9
Sch. 1AinsertedEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 30 para. 10
Sch. 2 headingword insertedEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 30 para. 11
s. 9HC(2)words insertedEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 30 para. 7(b)
s. 9HC(1)words substitutedEnglish Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 Sch. 30 para. 7(a)
An Act to make provision with respect to the functions and procedures of local authorities and provision with respect to local authority elections; to make provision with respect to grants and housing benefit in respect of certain welfare services; to amend section 29 of the Children Act 1989; and for connected purposes.[28th July 2000]

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:—C1C2C3C4C5C6C7C8

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act modified (31.3.2009) by The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Further Transitional Arrangements and Staffing) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/486), reg. 6(4)

C2

Act applied (with modifications) (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/875), regs. 1(2), 16, Sch. 2 (which amending S.I. was revoked (27.8.2010) by SI 2010/1906, reg. 2)

C3

Act applied (with modifications) (1.10.2010) by The Employment and Support Allowance (Transitional Provisions, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit) (Existing Awards) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1907), reg. 16(2)(c), Sch. 2

C4

Act power to apply or incorporate (with modifications) conferred (15.9.2011) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 58(1)-(3), (7)

C5

Act power to apply or incorporate (with modifications) conferred (25.4.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 54(2)-(5), 157(1); S.I. 2012/1129, art. 2(b)

C6

Act functions transferred (22.6.2015) by The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1376), arts. 1(2), 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 9)

C7

Act functions transferred (9.11.2016) by The Transfer of Functions (Elections, Referendums, Third Sector and Information) Order 2016 (S.I. 2016/997), arts. 1(2), 3(1), Sch. 1(h) (with arts. 3(2), 6, 12)

C8

Act: functions cease to be exercisable concurrently (8.12.2021) by The Transfer of Functions (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) Order 2021 (S.I. 2021/1265), arts. 1(2), 9, Sch. 1(h) (with arts. 11, 12)

Contents

  1. Part I: Promotion of economic, social or environmental well-being etc
  2. Interpretation
  3. 1Meaning of “local authority” in Part I.
  4. Promotion of well-being
  5. 2Promotion of well-being by community councils. Repealed
  6. 3Limits on power to promote well-being. Repealed
  7. 4Strategies for promoting well-being. Repealed
  8. 4AStrategies: parishes Repealed
  9. 5Power to amend or repeal enactments. Repealed
  10. Modification of certain enactments
  11. 6Power to modify enactments concerning plans etc.
  12. 7Power to modify enactments concerning plans etc: Wales.
  13. 8Modification of section 137 of the 1972 Act.
  14. Procedure for orders under this Part
  15. 9Procedure for orders made by the Secretary of State under section 6.
  16. 9AProcedure for orders made by the Welsh Ministers under section ... 7
  17. Part 1A: Arrangements with respect to local authority governance in England
  18. Chapter 1: Permitted forms of governance
  19. 9BPermitted forms of governance for local authorities in England
  20. 9BAPower of Secretary of State to prescribe additional permitted governance arrangements Repealed
  21. Chapter 2: Executive arrangements
  22. Local authority executives
  23. 9CLocal authority executives
  24. Executive functions
  25. 9DFunctions which are the responsibility of an executive
  26. 9DAFunctions of an executive: further provision
  27. Discharge of functions
  28. 9EDischarge of functions: general
  29. 9EADischarge of functions of and by another local authority
  30. 9EBJoint exercise of functions
  31. Overview and scrutiny committees
  32. 9FOverview and scrutiny committees: functions
  33. 9FAOverview and scrutiny committees: supplementary provision
  34. 9FBScrutiny officers
  35. 9FCReference of matters to overview and scrutiny committee etc
  36. 9FDDealing with references under section 9FC(1)(c)
  37. 9FEDuty of authority or executive to respond to overview and scrutiny committee
  38. 9FFReports and recommendations of overview and scrutiny committees: duties of certain partner authorities
  39. 9FGPublication etc of reports, recommendations and responses: confidential and exempt information
  40. 9FHOverview and scrutiny committees: flood risk management
  41. 9FIOverview and scrutiny committees: provision of information etc by certain partner authorities
  42. Further provision in relation to executives
  43. 9GMeetings and access to information etc
  44. 9GAMeetings and access to information etc: further provision and regulations
  45. 9GBFurther provision
  46. 9GCAbsence of requirement for political balance
  47. Elected mayors etc
  48. 9HElected mayors etc
  49. 9HAElection as elected mayor and councillor
  50. 9HBTime of elections etc
  51. 9HCVoting at elections of elected mayors
  52. 9HDEntitlement to vote
  53. 9HEPower to make provision about elections
  54. 9HFAlternative mayoral titles
  55. 9HGAlternative mayoral titles: further changes
  56. Leader and cabinet executives (England)
  57. 9IElection and term of office of leader
  58. 9IARemoval of leader
  59. 9IBLeader to continue to hold office as councillor
  60. 9ICNo other means of removing leader
  61. 9IDRegulations
  62. Chapter 3: The committee system
  63. 9JSecretary of State's power to prohibit delegation of functions etc
  64. 9JAOverview and scrutiny committee
  65. 9JBOverview and scrutiny: flood risk management
  66. Chapter 4: Changing governance arrangements
  67. Changes to governance arrangements by local authorities: general provision
  68. 9KCommittee system: change to leader and cabinet executive
  69. 9KAMayor and cabinet executive: adoption of leader and cabinet executive
  70. 9KAADuty to retain leader and cabinet executive
  71. 9KBExecutive arrangements: other variation of arrangements
  72. 9KCResolution of local authority
  73. Implementation of certain changes to governance arrangements
  74. 9LImplementation: change in form of governance or change in form of executive
  75. Referendums
  76. 9MCases in which change is subject to approval in a referendum in accordance with sections 9MA and 9MB
  77. 9MAReferendum: proposals by local authority
  78. 9MBRequirement to hold and give effect to referendum
  79. 9MCReferendum following petition
  80. 9MDReferendum following direction
  81. 9MEReferendum following order
  82. 9MFFurther provision with respect to referendums
  83. 9MGVoting in and conduct of referendums
  84. Further provisions as to mayor and cabinet executive
  85. 9NRequiring referendum on change to mayor and cabinet executive Repealed
  86. 9NAEffect of section 9N order Repealed
  87. 9NBVariation of mayoral executive
  88. Transfer of functions: changes in governance arrangements
  89. 9NCTransfer of functions: changes in governance arrangements not subject to a referendum
  90. 9NDTransfer of functions: changes in governance arrangements subject to a referendum
  91. Miscellaneous
  92. 9OGeneral
  93. 9OAInterpretation
  94. Chapter 5: Supplementary
  95. Local authority constitution
  96. 9PLocal authority constitution
  97. Guidance
  98. 9QGuidance
  99. Interpretation
  100. 9RInterpretation of Part 1A
  101. Part II: Local authorities in Wales: arrangements with respect to executives etc.
  102. Executive arrangements
  103. 10Executive arrangements.
  104. Local authority executives
  105. 11Local authority executives.
  106. 12Additional forms of executive.
  107. Executive functions
  108. 13Functions which are the responsibility of an executive.
  109. Provisions with respect to executive arrangements
  110. 14Discharge of functions: mayor and cabinet executive
  111. 15Discharge of functions: leader and cabinet executive (Wales)
  112. 16Discharge of functions: mayor and council manager executive.
  113. 17Discharge of functions: s. 11(5) executive.
  114. 18Discharge of functions by area committees.
  115. 19Discharge of functions of and by another local authority.
  116. 20Joint exercise of functions.
  117. 21Overview and scrutiny committees.
  118. 21ZAScrutiny officers Repealed
  119. 21AReference of matters to overview and scrutiny committee etc
  120. 21BDuty of authority or executive to respond to overview and scrutiny committee
  121. 21CReports and recommendations of overview and scrutiny committees: duties of certain partner authorities Repealed
  122. 21DPublication etc of reports, recommendations and responses: confidential and exempt information
  123. 21EOverview and scrutiny committees of certain district councils: functions with respect to partner authorities Repealed
  124. 21FOverview and scrutiny committees: flood risk management Repealed
  125. 21GDesignated persons
  126. 22Access to information etc.
  127. 22AOverview and scrutiny committees of certain authorities in England: provision of information etc by certain partner authorities Repealed
  128. 23Further provision.
  129. 24Absence of requirement for political balance.
  130. Procedure with respect to operation of executive arrangements
  131. 25Proposals.
  132. 26Proposals not requiring referendum.
  133. 27Referendum in case of proposals involving elected mayor.
  134. 28Approval of outline fall-back proposals.
  135. 29Operation of, and publicity for, executive arrangements.
  136. 30Operation of different executive arrangements.
  137. Alternative arrangements.
  138. 31Alternative arrangements in case of certain local authorities. Repealed
  139. 32Alternative arrangements. Repealed
  140. 33Operation of alternative arrangements.
  141. Changing governance arrangements: general provisions
  142. 33ZAChanging governance arrangements
  143. 33AExecutive arrangements: different form of executive Repealed
  144. 33BExecutive arrangements: other variation of arrangements Repealed
  145. 33CAlternative arrangements: move to executive arrangements Repealed
  146. 33DAlternative arrangements: variation of arrangements Repealed
  147. 33EProposals by local authority Repealed
  148. 33FResolution of local authority Repealed
  149. 33GImplementation: new executive or move to executive arrangements Repealed
  150. 33HImplementation: other change in governance arrangements Repealed
  151. 33IGeneral Repealed
  152. ...
  153. 33JNew form of executive or move to executive: general requirements Repealed
  154. 33KChanges subject to approval in a referendum: additional requirements Repealed
  155. 33LChange not subject to approval in a referendum: additional requirements Repealed
  156. 33MCases in which change subject to approval in referendum Repealed
  157. 33NVariation of mayoral executive Repealed
  158. ...
  159. 33OInterpretation Repealed
  160. Referendums
  161. 34Referendum following petition.
  162. 35Referendum following direction.
  163. 36Referendum following order.
  164. Local authority constitution
  165. 37Local authority constitution.
  166. Guidance
  167. 38Guidance.
  168. Elected mayors etc.
  169. 39Elected mayors etc.
  170. 40Election as elected mayor and councillor.
  171. 41Time of elections etc.
  172. 42Voting at elections of elected mayors.
  173. 43Entitlement to vote.
  174. 44Power to make provision about elections.
  175. ...
  176. 44AElection of leader: whole-council elections Repealed
  177. 44BElection of leader: partial-council elections Repealed
  178. 44CRemoval of leader Repealed
  179. 44DTerm of office of leader: whole-council elections Repealed
  180. 44ETerm of office of leader: partial-council elections Repealed
  181. 44FLeader to continue to hold office as councillor Repealed
  182. 44GNo other means of electing or removing leader Repealed
  183. 44HRegulations Repealed
  184. Provisions with respect to referendums
  185. 45Provisions with respect to referendums.
  186. Amendments to the 1972 Act
  187. 46Amendments to the 1972 Act.
  188. Power to make further provision
  189. 47Power to make incidental, consequential provision etc.
  190. Interpretation
  191. 48Interpretation of Part II.
  192. 48AFunctions of the Lord President of the Council Repealed
  193. Part III: Conduct of local government members and employees
  194. Chapter I: Conduct of members
  195. Standards of conduct
  196. 49Principles governing conduct of members of relevant authorities.
  197. 50Model code of conduct.
  198. 51Duty of relevant authorities to adopt codes of conduct.
  199. 52Duty to comply with code of conduct.
  200. 52ACounty and county borough councils: duties of leaders of political groups in relation to standards of conduct
  201. 52ZADuty to comply with code of conduct for corporate joint committees
  202. Standards committees
  203. 53Standards committees.
  204. 54Functions of standards committees.
  205. 54ASub-committees of standards committees
  206. 55Standards committees ... for parish councils. Repealed
  207. 56Standards committees or sub-committees for community councils.
  208. 56AJoint committees of relevant authorities in England Repealed
  209. 56BAnnual reports by standards committees
  210. Chapter II: Investigations etc: England
  211. Standards Board for England
  212. 57Standards Board for England. Repealed
  213. Written allegations
  214. 57AWritten allegations: right to make, and initial assessment Repealed
  215. 57BRight to request review of decision not to act Repealed
  216. 57CInformation to be given to subject of allegation Repealed
  217. 57DPower to suspend standards committee's functions Repealed
  218. 58Allegations referred to Standards Board Repealed
  219. Functions of ethical standards officers
  220. 59Functions of ethical standards officers. Repealed
  221. Investigations by ethical standards officers
  222. 60Conduct of investigations. Repealed
  223. 61Procedure in respect of investigations. Repealed
  224. 62Investigations: further provisions. Repealed
  225. 63Restrictions on disclosure of information. Repealed
  226. Reports etc. by ethical standards officers
  227. 64Reports etc. Repealed
  228. 65Interim reports. Repealed
  229. 65ADisclosure by monitoring officers of ethical standards officers' reports Repealed
  230. References to monitoring officers
  231. 66Matters referred to monitoring officers. Repealed
  232. 66AReferences to First-tier Tribunal for action in respect of misconduct Repealed
  233. Information to be provided to Standards Board by relevant authority
  234. 66BPeriodic returns Repealed
  235. 66CInformation requests Repealed
  236. Consultation with ombudsmen
  237. 67Consultation with ombudsmen . Repealed
  238. Chapter III: Investigations etc: Wales
  239. Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
  240. 68Public Services Ombudsman for Wales .
  241. Investigations
  242. 69Investigations by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
  243. 69APossible conflict of interest in an investigation
  244. 69BInvestigation procedure
  245. 69CInformation, documents, evidence and facilities
  246. 69DObstruction and contempt
  247. 69EDisclosure of information
  248. 69FPower of the Welsh Ministers to amend this Chapter
  249. 70Ceasing investigations etc.
  250. Reports etc.
  251. 71Reports etc.
  252. 72Interim reports.
  253. References to monitoring officers
  254. 73Matters referred to monitoring officers.
  255. Law of defamation
  256. 74Law of defamation: absolute privilege
  257. Chapter IV: Adjudications
  258. The Adjudication Panel for Wales
  259. 75Adjudication Panel for Wales.
  260. Case tribunals and interim case tribunals
  261. 76Case tribunals and interim case tribunals.
  262. Adjudications
  263. 77Adjudications.
  264. 78Decisions of ... interim case tribunals.
  265. 78ADecisions of First-tier Tribunal Repealed
  266. 78BSection 78A: supplementary Repealed
  267. 79Decisions of case tribunals: Wales.
  268. 80Recommendations by ... case tribunals.
  269. Chapter V: Supplementary
  270. Disclosure and registration of members’ interests etc.
  271. 81Disclosure and registration of members’ interests etc.
  272. Code of conduct for local government employees
  273. 82Code of conduct for local government employees.
  274. Delegation by monitoring officers
  275. 82AMonitoring officers: delegation of functions under Part 3
  276. Interpretation
  277. 83Interpretation of Part III.
  278. Part IV: Elections
  279. 84Meaning of “local authority” and “principal council” in Part IV.
  280. 85Options for elections England.
  281. 86Power to specify a scheme for elections.
  282. 87Power to change years in which elections held.
  283. 88Separate power to make incidental provisions etc.
  284. 89Consequential electoral changes.
  285. Part V: Miscellaneous
  286. Surcharge etc.
  287. 90Surcharge etc.
  288. 91Advisory notices.
  289. Maladministration etc.
  290. 92Payments in cases of maladministration etc.
  291. Welfare services
  292. 93Grants for welfare services.
  293. 94Disclosure of information. Repealed
  294. 95Unauthorised disclosure of information. Repealed
  295. 96Housing benefit. Not yet in force
  296. Access to information
  297. 97Background papers.
  298. 98Meetings and documents: notice etc.
  299. Allowances and pensions
  300. 99Allowances and pensions for certain local authority members.
  301. 100Power to make provision about allowances.
  302. Indemnification of members and officers of relevant authorities
  303. 101Indemnification of members and officers of relevant authorities.
  304. Social services functions
  305. 102Social services functions.
  306. Recoupment by local authorities of cost of providing day care
  307. 103Recoupment by local authorities of cost of providing day care.
  308. Prohibition on promoting homosexuality: bullying
  309. 104Prohibition on promoting homosexuality: bullying. Repealed
  310. Part VI: Supplemental
  311. 105Orders and regulations.
  312. 106Wales.
  313. 107Minor and consequential amendments and repeals.
  314. 108Commencement.
  315. 109Short title and extent.
  316. Schedule A1: Executive arrangements in England: further provision
  317. Mayor and cabinet executives
  318. 1Paragraph 1
  319. Leader and cabinet executives (England)
  320. 2Paragraph 2
  321. Procedure
  322. 3Paragraph 3
  323. Meetings of executives and executive committees
  324. 4Paragraph 4
  325. Attendance of police and crime commissioner at meetings
  326. 4AParagraph 4A
  327. Mayor's assistant
  328. 5Paragraph 5
  329. Overview and scrutiny committees: education functions
  330. 6Paragraph 6
  331. 7Paragraph 7
  332. 8Paragraph 8
  333. 9Paragraph 9
  334. 10Paragraph 10
  335. Overview and scrutiny committees: voting rights of co-opted members
  336. 11Paragraph 11
  337. 12Paragraph 12
  338. 13Paragraph 13
  339. Schedule 1: Executive arrangements in Wales: further provision
  340. Mayor and cabinet executives
  341. 1Paragraph 1
  342. ...
  343. 1AParagraph 1A Repealed
  344. Leader and cabinet executives (Wales)
  345. 2Paragraph 2
  346. Appointment of councillors to executive to share the same position
  347. 2AParagraph 2A
  348. Voting and quorum where members of executive share their position
  349. 2BParagraph 2B
  350. Mayor and council manager executives
  351. 3Paragraph 3
  352. Assistants to the executive
  353. 3AParagraph 3A
  354. Procedure
  355. 4Paragraph 4
  356. Meetings of executives and executive committees
  357. 5Paragraph 5
  358. Mayor’s assistant
  359. 6Paragraph 6
  360. Overview and scrutiny committees: education functions
  361. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  362. 8Paragraph 8
  363. 9Paragraph 9
  364. 10Paragraph 10
  365. 11Paragraph 11
  366. 11AParagraph 11A
  367. ...
  368. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  369. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  370. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  371. Schedule 2: Election of elected mayor
  372. Application
  373. 1Paragraph 1
  374. Candidate with overall majority of first preference votes
  375. 2Paragraph 2
  376. No candidate with overall majority of first preference votes
  377. 3Paragraph 3
  378. Schedule 3: Amendments to the 1972 Act
  379. 1Paragraph 1
  380. 2Paragraph 2
  381. 3Paragraph 3
  382. 4Paragraph 4
  383. 5Paragraph 5
  384. 6Paragraph 6
  385. 7Paragraph 7
  386. 8Paragraph 8
  387. 9Paragraph 9
  388. 10Paragraph 10
  389. 11Paragraph 11
  390. 12Paragraph 12
  391. 13Paragraph 13
  392. 14Paragraph 14
  393. Schedule 4: Standards Board for England
  394. ...
  395. Paragraph Repealed
  397. Paragraph Repealed
  399. Paragraph Repealed
  401. Paragraph Repealed
  403. Paragraph Repealed
  405. Paragraph Repealed
  407. Paragraph Repealed
  408. Paragraph Repealed
  410. Paragraph Repealed
  412. Paragraph Repealed
  414. Paragraph Repealed
  416. Paragraph Repealed
  418. Paragraph Repealed
  420. Paragraph Repealed
  422. Paragraph Repealed
  424. Paragraph Repealed
  425. Paragraph Repealed
  427. Paragraph Repealed
  429. Paragraph Repealed
  430. Schedule 5: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  431. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c. 12)
  432. 1Paragraph 1
  433. 2Paragraph 2
  434. Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (c. 42)
  435. 3Paragraph 3
  436. 4Paragraph 4
  437. 5Paragraph 5
  438. 6Paragraph 6
  439. 7Paragraph 7
  440. Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70)
  441. 8Paragraph 8
  442. 9Paragraph 9
  443. 10Paragraph 10
  444. 11Paragraph 11
  445. 12Paragraph 12
  446. 13Paragraph 13
  447. Local Government Act 1974 (c. 7)
  448. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  449. 15Paragraph 15
  450. Adoption Act 1976 (c. 36)
  451. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  452. National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49)
  453. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  454. Registered Homes Act 1984 (c. 23)
  455. 18Paragraph 18
  456. Children Act 1989 (c. 41)
  457. 19Paragraph 19
  458. 20Paragraph 20
  459. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  460. 22Paragraph 22
  461. 23Paragraph 23
  462. Local Government and Housing 1989 (c. 42)
  463. 24Paragraph 24
  464. 25Paragraph 25
  465. 26Paragraph 26
  466. 27Paragraph 27
  467. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c. 53)
  468. 28Paragraph 28
  469. Audit Commission Act 1998 (c. 18)
  470. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  471. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  472. Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29)
  473. 31Paragraph 31
  474. 32Paragraph 32
  475. 33Paragraph 33
  476. 34Paragraph 34
  477. Schedule 6: Repeals