Local Government Legislation

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

The East Yorkshire Solar Farm (Correction) Order 2025

This Order, officially titled The East Yorkshire Solar Farm (Correction) Order 2025, formally amends specific linguistic and structural errors found within the previous development consent approval, The East Yorkshire Solar Farm Order 2025, as granted under the Planning Act 2008; these corrections were enacted by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero following a formal request from the project applicant and come into force on September 20th, 2025.

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The Chancel Repair (Church Commissioners’ Liability) Measure 2025 (Commencement) Order 2025

Published: Mon 29th Sept 25

This Order officially establishes the commencement date for the Chancel Repair (Church Commissioners’ Liability) Measure 2025, bringing the Measure into force, insofar as it is not already active, on 1st October 2025.

The Church Commissioners enacted this Order using powers granted under previous measures, including the Chancel Repair (Church Commissioners’ Liability) Measure 2025 and related governing legislation.

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The Buckinghamshire Council, Surrey County Council and Warwickshire County Council (Housing and Regeneration Functions) Regulations 2025

Published: Fri 26th Sept 25

These Regulations formally transfer specific housing, regeneration, land acquisition, and financial assistance functions, previously held by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, to Buckinghamshire Council, Surrey County Council, and Warwickshire County Council, enabling them to exercise these powers concurrently within their respective local government areas to meet local needs for housing, infrastructure, and community well-being.

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The Local Audit (Amendment of Definition of Smaller Authority) Regulations 2025

These regulations amend the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, redefining 'smaller authority' based on gross income and expenditure.

For financial years starting after April 1st, 2024, the threshold increases from £6.5 million to £15 million.

The changes aim to provide greater financial flexibility for local authorities while maintaining appropriate levels of financial scrutiny.

The regulations apply to England and Wales and were approved by both Houses of Parliament.

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The Kent and Medway National Health Service and Social Care Partnership Trust (Establishment) and the West Kent National Health Service and Social Care Trust and the East Kent National Health Service and Social Care Partnership Trust (Dissolution) (Amendment) Order 2025

The Kent and Medway National Health Service and Social Care Partnership Trust (Establishment) and the West Kent National Health Service and Social Care Trust and the East Kent National Health Service and Social Care Partnership Trust (Dissolution) (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2006 Order establishing the Kent and Medway National Health Service and Social Care Partnership Trust.

The amendment changes the Trust's name to 'Kent and Medway Mental Health National Health Service Trust', updates its defined functions to 'provide goods and services for the purposes of the health service,' and removes outdated provisions such as the 'operational date' and unnecessary definitions.

The changes take effect on October 13, 2025, and extend to England and Wales.

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The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025

Published: Wed 17th Sept 25

The Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025 amend the Building (Registered Building Control Approvers etc.) (England) Regulations 2024 and the Building Regulations 2010, primarily focusing on improving building safety and compliance procedures.

Key changes include revised notice requirements for completed building works, stricter reporting for when clients cannot provide statements from contractors or designers, and clarifying procedures for handling contraventions.

The regulations also prescribe cases where the Building Safety Regulator must provide copies of serious contravention orders to local authorities.

Transitional provisions ensure the amendments don't retrospectively apply to notices issued before the regulations' effective date.

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The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Isle of Wight) (No. 1) Order 2025

This Order establishes September 17, 2025, as the end date for the access preparation period for coastal margin land on the Isle of Wight.

The decision is based on approvals granted by the Secretary of State for proposals outlined in reports by Natural England concerning coastal access routes.

The Order cites the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 as its legal basis.

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The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025

This order corrects errors and omissions within the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025.

The corrections, requested by the applicant and the Kent Downs National Landscape Team, were made under the Planning Act 2008 and involve alterations to various articles and schedules, including modifications of definitions, article text, and table entries.

The order ensures the accuracy of the original consent order, improving clarity and facilitating the project’s efficient implementation.

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