Local Government Legislation
Legislative framework for local authority powers, council operations, municipal services, and community governance.
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025 exempted the combined collection of certain recyclable waste streams and exempted micro-firms from specific waste collection requirements.
The Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025, effective March 31, 2025, establish exemptions to existing regulations regarding waste separation in England and Wales.
These exemptions permit the combined collection of certain recyclable waste streams (metal, glass, plastic) by English waste collection authorities.
Additionally, the regulations exempt micro-firms from certain waste collection requirements until March 31, 2027.
The regulations were drafted in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and following consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025
The 2025 Order postponed local council elections for nine English councils from 2025 to 2026, adjusted councillor terms, and modified casual vacancy procedures.
This Order shifts the ordinary elections for councillors in nine specified English local authorities from 2025 to 2026.
It adjusts councillor retirement dates accordingly, modifies procedures for filling casual vacancies, and makes consequential amendments to other related electoral Orders.
The changes primarily impact the timing of local elections and the terms of office for elected councillors, with provisions to manage casual vacancies during the transition.
The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The 2025 regulations amended the 2009 RTM Companies (Model Articles) Regulations, clarifying the definition of 'lease' and capping landlord voting power in RTM companies.
The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2009 Regulations governing right-to-manage (RTM) companies in England.
Key changes include defining 'lease' according to the 2002 Act, restricting landlord voting power to one-third of tenant votes, and requiring landlords to be freeholders to qualify for votes.
These amendments aim to balance voting rights within RTM companies and improve governance clarity.
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025
Specific sections of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 concerning the right to manage were brought into force.
These regulations, effective March 3, 2025, implement several sections of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 related to leaseholders' right to manage.
Specifically, they define non-residential limits on claims, detail cost allocation, ensure compliance with the 2002 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act, prohibit initial High Court applications for tribunal matters, and restrict the recovery of certain costs.
The aim is to clarify, simplify, and streamline the right-to-manage process for leaseholders.
The Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
Abolished existing electoral wards in Thurrock and established 20 new wards with revised councilor allocations, effective from the 2025 local elections.
The Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025 implements comprehensive changes to electoral arrangements in the borough of Thurrock following recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.
The Order abolishes existing electoral wards and establishes 20 new wards with specified numbers of councillors for each, ranging from two to three members per ward.
These changes will take effect for elections from 2025 onwards, with new boundaries defined by geographical features and documented in official mapping.
The Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
Increased TV license fees and adjusted payment schemes across UK territories, raising the standard color TV license to £174.50 and black and white license to £58.50 from April 2025.
The Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 implements changes to UK television license fees effective April 1, 2025.
The regulations increase the standard color TV license fee from £169.50 to £174.50 and the black and white license fee from £57.00 to £58.50.
Various installment payment schemes are adjusted accordingly, with updates to premium, budget, easy entry, and simple payment plans.
The regulations apply across the UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, with certain provisions for specific territories.
The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2025
Transferred environmental assessment and planning data powers from UK Secretary of State to Scottish Ministers for renewable energy projects, while maintaining concurrent authority.
The Order transfers specific environmental assessment and planning data functions from the UK Secretary of State to Scottish Ministers, granting them concurrent powers over renewable energy projects.
It enables Scottish Ministers to make regulations regarding environmental outcomes reports and planning data for generating stations in Scotland and the Scottish Renewable Energy Zone, while requiring consultation with the Secretary of State.
The Order extends existing devolved powers to include offshore renewable energy developments and maintains coordination between UK and Scottish authorities.
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025
Established a new combined county authority for Greater Lincolnshire with an elected mayor and devolved powers over transport, housing, economic development, and planning.
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Regulations 2025 establish a new combined county authority for Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire. The regulations create a directly elected mayoral position and grant significant powers over economic development, transport, housing, and planning.
The authority receives functions previously held by the Homes and Communities Agency, along with powers to establish development corporations, implement transport schemes, and coordinate strategic planning across the region.