Local Government Legislation

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

The Warboys, Somersham and Pidley Internal Drainage Board (Reconstitution) Order 2026

Reconstituted the Warboys, Somersham and Pidley Internal Drainage Board to reduce its elected membership from 21 to 15.


This Order confirms a scheme submitted by the Environment Agency to reconstitute the Warboys, Somersham and Pidley Internal Drainage Board.

It reduces the number of elected members on the Board from twenty-one to fifteen and provides for the initial appointment of these members by the Secretary of State.

The Order further ensures that all property, rights, and obligations held by the Board prior to this reconstitution are transferred to the newly reconstituted body.

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The Oxford Street Development Corporation (Functions) Order 2026

Transferred local planning authority and specific statutory functions for the Oxford Street development area to the Oxford Street Development Corporation.


This Order establishes the Oxford Street Development Corporation as the local planning authority for its designated development area, effective 10 August 2026.

It transfers planning functions from the London boroughs of Camden and the City of Westminster to the Corporation and grants it specific powers related to land compensation, listed buildings, hazardous substances, and tree preservation.

The Order also defines transitional arrangements for pending planning applications, enforcement actions, and appeals to ensure continuity of service during the transfer of authority.

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The March and Euximoor Water Management Board Order 2026

Amalgamated two drainage districts and replaced their respective boards with a single March and Euximoor Water Management Board.


This Order consolidates the Euximoor Internal Drainage District and the March East Internal Drainage District into a single new district called the March and Euximoor Internal Drainage District.

It abolishes the two pre-existing drainage boards and establishes the March and Euximoor Water Management Board to oversee the new district.

The order applies to the Environment Agency, local authorities in the affected English regions, and the newly appointed 15 members of the board, transferring all assets, liabilities, and debt-recovery powers to the successor body.

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

Designated July 23, 2026, as the date public access rights commence for three sections of the England Coast Path between Silecroft and Silverdale.


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

Designated 29 July 2026 as the commencement date for public access rights to the coastal margin between Mistley and Shotley Gate.


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

Updated the list of sports grounds requiring safety certificates to include Rochdale and York stadiums while removing Barrow and Harrogate grounds.


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

Activated legal provisions establishing a new Local Audit Office and reforming local government pension accounting and audit committee requirements from 15 July 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

Substituted a dynamic road designation process for a fixed list of highways managed by the West Midlands Combined Authority.


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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