Local Government Legislation

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

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Silecroft to Silverdale) (No. 2) Order 2026

This Order establishes 23rd July 2026 as the date on which the access preparation period ends for specific stretches of coastal land between Silecroft and Silverdale in England.

It applies to land designated as coastal margin within the areas defined by three specific Natural England reports covering the route from Green Road railway station to Greenodd footbridge.

Once this period ends, public access rights for recreation under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 become effective for these designated areas.

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The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Harwich to Shotley Gate) (No. 1) Order 2026

This Order establishes 29 July 2026 as the date on which the access preparation period ends for specific stretches of the England Coast Path between Harwich and Shotley Gate.

By ending this period, the Order triggers public rights of access to land designated as coastal margin under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

The affected areas include land from Hopping Bridge in Mistley to Brantham Hall Farm, and continuing through Lower Holbrook to Shotley Gate, as detailed in reports HSG4, HSG5, and HSG6.

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The Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (Amendment) (England) Order 2026

This Order modifies the list of sports grounds in England that require a safety certificate under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.

It designates the Crown Oil Arena in Rochdale and the LNER Community Stadium in York as requiring certificates following the promotion of their resident football clubs to the Football League.

Conversely, it removes the designation for Holker Street in Barrow and the Football Stadium in Harrogate because their resident clubs are no longer members of that league.

These changes apply to the stadium owners, occupying sports clubs, and the local authorities responsible for issuing safety certificates.

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The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026

This instrument brings into force several sections of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 on 15 July 2026, primarily affecting local authorities and pension scheme managers in England.

It establishes the Local Audit Office, mandates audit committees for Category 1 authorities, and introduces new requirements for cooperation between local government pension scheme managers.

The regulations also authorize the separation of pension scheme accounts and modify how smaller authorities are categorized for audit purposes when financial reviews are outstanding.

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The West Midlands Combined Authority (Key Route Network) (Amendment) Order 2026

This Order amends the West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017 to modify how highways are designated for management by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

It replaces the fixed list of 'Combined Authority roads' with a dynamic 'key route network' that the WMCA may designate or alter under powers granted by the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

The Order applies to the WMCA and its constituent councils, transferring the ability to exercise functions related to permit schemes and apparatus affected by highway works from a defined schedule to any road designated within the key route network.

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The Welfare Reform Act 2012 (Commencement No. 30 and Transitory Provisions) (Amendment) (England) Order 2026

This Order terminates the temporary protection of free school lunch eligibility for certain students in England starting 17 August 2026.

It amends the Welfare Reform Act 2012 (Commencement No. 30 and Transitory Provisions) Order 2018 by revoking the 'transitory provisions' that previously allowed individuals to retain their free meal status despite changes to the welfare system.

The Secretary of State for Education directs that any person relying on these specific transitional rules to qualify for free school lunches will cease to be eligible on the specified date.

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The Equality Act 2010 (Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations) (Revocation) Order 2026

This Order revokes the Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations that has been in effect since 6 April 2011.

It acts on a formal request from the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to the Secretary of State, clearing the legal path for an updated 2026 Code of Practice to take effect.

The revocation applies across England, Wales, and Scotland, affecting how service providers, public bodies, and associations interpret their duties under the Equality Act 2010.

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The Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026

These Regulations increase the maximum financial penalties that local authorities in England can impose for environmental offences including littering, fly-tipping, graffiti, and fly-posting.

The instrument raises the upper limit for fly-tipping fines to £5,000 and increases the maximum penalty for general littering to £750.

These changes apply to principal litter authorities and relevant local authorities in England, providing them with a broader range within which to set specific penalty amounts for their jurisdictions.

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