Local Government Legislation

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

The National Security Act 2023 (Foreign Activities and Foreign Influence Registration Scheme: Exemptions for Certain Foreign Power Investment Funds, Education, Government Administration and Public Bodies) Regulations 2025

These regulations, enacted under the National Security Act 2023, exempt specific categories of activities from the foreign activities and foreign influence registration scheme.

The exemptions cover certain foreign power investment funds focused primarily on overseas investments, educational arrangements supporting students in the UK, administrative and technical services provided by foreign powers, and arrangements involving UK public bodies (excluding those related to political influence).

The aim is to streamline the registration process while maintaining national security.

The Local Audit (Modification of Financial Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2025

Published: Thu 5th Jun 25

These regulations, effective June 26, 2025, amend the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

They modify the financial reporting requirements for four specific combined county authorities in England and Wales: Devon and Torbay, Greater Lincolnshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, and Lancashire. The changes disapply the requirement to prepare accounts for the financial year beginning April 1, 2024, and adjust the reporting period for the financial year beginning April 1, 2025, to start on February 5, 2025, aligning with the authorities' establishment date.

The changes are made under the authority of section 3(5)(b) of the 2014 Act.

The Electricity (Individual Exemption from the Requirement for a Supply Licence) (JG Pears Power Limited) (England) Order 2025

This order temporarily exempts JG Pears Power Limited from needing an electricity supply license to provide power to the High Marnham Green Energy Business Park in England.

The exemption, granted under the Electricity Act 1989, runs until December 31, 2034, and is subject to conditions limiting the maximum electricity supply to 37 megawatts.

The order's justification involves facilitating the prompt delivery of renewable energy while acknowledging a lack of significant impact on the public or private sectors.

The Communications Act 2003 (Restrictions on the Advertising of Less Healthy Food) (Effective Date) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the Communications Act 2003, delaying the implementation of restrictions on the advertising of less healthy food and drink.

The effective date is pushed back from October 1, 2025, to January 5, 2026.

The changes affect several sections of the Act, specifically those outlining the objectives for such advertisements and the prohibition of paid advertising for less healthy food and drink.

An explanatory note references a full impact assessment conducted previously, explaining the lack of a new assessment for this amendment.

The School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the 2007 School Travel (Pupils with Dual Registration) (England) Regulations to update the definition of 'child who has no fixed abode'.

The amendment replaces the previous definition, which referenced a now-revoked regulation, with a gender-neutral version mirroring the original wording.

The regulations came into force on June 30th, 2025, and apply to England and Wales.

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (St Mawes to Cremyll) Order 2025

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (St Mawes to Cremyll) Order 2025 sets June 4th, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for coastal land between St Mawes and Cremyll in Cornwall.

This follows the Secretary of State's approval of Natural England's plans for a long-distance coastal path, as outlined in several reports submitted in 2019 and 2020.

The order references the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and clarifies the legal framework for public access to this section of the proposed path.

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Penzance to St Mawes) Order 2025

This order sets June 4th, 2025, as the official end date for the access preparation period along the coastal margin from Penzance to St Mawes.

The decision is based on the Secretary of State's approval of Natural England's proposals, documented in nine specific reports.

This formally opens this section of coast to public access.

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Newquay to Penzance) (No. 2) Order 2025

This order establishes June 4th, 2025, as the end of the access preparation period for the coastal margin section of the England Coast Path between Newquay and Penzance.

This decision follows the Secretary of State's approval of Natural England's proposals, detailed in several reports submitted in 2019 and 2020.

The order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 as its legal basis.