Local Government Legislation

Legislative framework for local authority powers, council operations, municipal services, and community governance.

The Birmingham East Mayoral Development Corporation (Establishment) Order 2026

This Order establishes a Mayoral development corporation for a designated area in East Birmingham, formally named the Birmingham East Mayoral Development Corporation.

Starting 11 May 2026, the Corporation functions as a statutory body under the West Midlands Combined Authority, tasked with urban development within the geographic boundaries defined by the associated official map.

The Order applies to the Secretary of State, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and any persons or entities operating within the specified development area.

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The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Finance) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 14th Apr 26

These Regulations amend the Local Government (Structural Changes) (Finance) Regulations 2008 to clarify how new successor councils in England must implement higher council tax rates on periodically occupied dwellings.

They direct that when a new council is formed from multiple predecessor authorities, any new decision to charge higher council tax in an area where it was not previously charged is treated as a 'first determination.' This triggers a legal requirement under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for the council to make that decision at least one year before the start of the financial year in which the higher rate takes effect.

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The Longfield Solar Farm (Amendment) Order 2026

This Order modifies the Longfield Solar Farm Order 2023 to adjust technical specifications and environmental requirements for the renewable energy project.

It increases the allowed cable circuits for specific grid connection works, updates the planning permission references for Park Farm, and modifies the application of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997.

The Order also mandates that landscape and ecological management plans for the main site construction works demonstrate a minimum of 87% biodiversity net gain using a specific metric.

These changes apply to the developers of the Longfield Solar Farm and the relevant planning authorities in Essex.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dinas Powys, Wales) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026

Published: Mon 13th Apr 26

These Regulations formally revoke the previous emergency statutory instrument that imposed temporary restrictions on flying operations within a specific area near Dinas Powys, Wales, because the Secretary of State determined that maintaining the restriction is no longer necessary in the public interest following the passing of the emergency situation.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dinas Powys, Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dinas Powys, Wales) (Emergency) Regulations 2026 immediately restricts all unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a 0.5 nautical mile radius centered on Dinas Powys, Wales, due to an emergency affecting the public interest, though these controls do not apply to aircraft operating under directions from the South Wales Police and are intended to be temporary.

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The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

These Regulations amend the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) Regulations 2022 to expand the scope of eligible renewable heating technologies and extend the duration of the program.

They introduce air-to-air heat pumps as eligible plant for residential properties, remove the mandatory requirement for a valid energy performance certificate, and extend the scheme's operational timeline until 2030.

The regulations apply to heat pump and biomass boiler installers and property owners in England and Wales, overseen by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

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The Mental Health Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026

These Regulations officially bring Sections 51 and 52 of the Mental Health Act 2025 into legal force starting April 6th, 2026.

Section 51 extends the Human Rights Act 1998 compatibility requirements to mental health services provided by private care providers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, while Section 52 places a specific duty on the Secretary of State to review and report on the regulations concerning notification to the Care Quality Commission when individuals under eighteen are admitted as inpatients for mental health treatment, applicable only to England.

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The Further Education (Initial Teacher Training) Regulations 2026

Published: Mon 30th Mar 26

These Regulations, made under the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, establish a framework for quality assurance over Initial Teacher Training for Further Education (ITT(FE)) courses in England.

The rules mandate that educational institutions offering specified ITT(FE) courses must register with the Secretary of State, adhere to published guidance on course delivery and curriculum content, and provide regular, detailed information regarding their courses, students, and graduates, culminating in an annual public report by the Secretary of State summarizing sector compliance.

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