Local Government Legislation
Legislative framework for local authority powers, council operations, municipal services, and community governance.
The Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Bradford (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing electoral wards in Bradford and establishing 30 new ones.
The Order details the new ward names and boundaries, specifies three councillors per ward, and outlines a phased election schedule beginning with a whole-city council election in 2026 transitioning to elections by thirds thereafter.
Similar changes are implemented for parish wards in surrounding areas.
The Order ensures that the changes comply with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
The Barnsley (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Barnsley (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, abolishing existing wards in the borough of Barnsley and establishing 21 new ones.
The order details the new ward boundaries, specifies that each ward will elect three councillors, and sets out the schedule for elections and councillor retirements, with staggered terms to avoid full council elections every year.
It also provides rules for resolving ties in elections.
The Wakefield (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
The Wakefield (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements changes to the electoral arrangements for the city of Wakefield and associated parishes, based on recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
The order abolishes existing wards and establishes 21 new wards for the city, along with revised parish ward structures.
It outlines the timelines for elections, including initial elections in 2026 and subsequent staggered retirements of councilors to a system of thirds.
The changes ensure future elections adhere to legal requirements while aiming to improve representation and governance.
The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025
The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025, effective May 1, 2025, implement several sections of the Environment Act 2021 concerning biodiversity net gain.
These sections, primarily impacting planning permissions in England, introduce a condition within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure that all new developments contribute towards increasing biodiversity.
The regulations clarify specific parts of the relevant legislation that come into effect and explain the integration of these additions into existing planning processes.
While no independent cost impact assessment was deemed necessary for these regulations, reference is made to a broader impact assessment on the Environment Act 2021.
The River Tyne (Tunnels) (Revision of Toll) Order 2025
The River Tyne (Tunnels) (Revision of Toll) Order 2025, effective May 1st, 2025, revises tolls for the Tyne Tunnel.
The North East Combined Authority now sets the tolls, as specified in the Schedule.
The order revokes the previous 2024 toll revision order.
The new tolls increase the cost for cars, vans, and buses, with motorcycle tolls remaining at £0.
The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) (Amendment) Order 2025
The Maidstone (Electoral Changes) (Amendment) Order 2025 corrects errors in the 2025 Order regarding electoral boundaries in Maidstone, England.
The amendment ensures that the boundary changes accurately reflect recommendations from the Maidstone Borough Council, resolving a discrepancy originating from a failure to correctly implement those recommendations.
The Order specifies implementation dates for various purposes, and its scope extends to England and Wales but applies only in England.
The Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 2024 Student Accommodation Regulations to update codes of management practice for student housing in England.
Key changes include the approval of a new Universities UK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice, the specification of educational establishments under the Housing Act 2004, and the revocation of several superseded regulations.
The amendments aim to improve standards, clarify application, and streamline the regulatory framework for student housing.
The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025
The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 amend existing legislation to reflect changes introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The regulations update fees for certain planning applications and adjust several Acts to incorporate new provisions for planning permission on Crown land in England.
These new provisions establish two application routes: one for urgent, nationally important developments and another for nationally important developments without urgency.