Local Government Legislation
Legislative framework for local authority powers, council operations, municipal services, and community governance.
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No. 8 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025
These Regulations, made under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, commence specific provisions primarily related to compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) under the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.
The commencement applies to CPOs subject to confirmation by an authority other than the Welsh Ministers, or those prepared in draft by a Minister other than the Welsh Ministers.
Key changes involve bringing into force requirements for online publicity for CPOs and amending procedural rules within the 1981 Act.
A transitional provision clarifies that these amendments do not apply where necessary statutory public notices were published before the commencement date, ensuring ongoing processes are not legally disrupted.
The South East Water Limited (River Ouse and Shell Brook) Drought Order 2025
The Secretary of State issued the South East Water Limited (River Ouse and Shell Brook) Drought Order 2025, effective from December 3, 2025, until June 2, 2026, to address a threatened serious water supply deficiency in the Sussex region caused by an exceptional shortage of rain.
This Order temporarily modifies South East Water Limited's existing abstraction licence (No. 21/128) by reducing required compensation release volumes to the Shell Brook, altering the natural flow conditions under which water can be abstracted from the River Ouse at Barcombe, and enabling abstraction at Ardingly during the Order's duration.
The Order mandates adherence to an environmental monitoring plan and specific mitigation measures detailed in a supporting Environmental Assessment Report.
The Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm (Amendment) Order 2025
This Order amends the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Offshore Wind Farm Order 2015, granted under the Planning Act 2008, following an application for a non-material change.
The Secretary of State has made this amendment to allow the two constituent parts of the project, referred to as Project A and Project B, to be treated separately for the purpose of discharging and enforcing various conditions, particularly concerning abandonment, decay, removal, noise limits, and specific requirements placed on the distinct components of the offshore and onshore works.
The Childcare (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Inspection Outcomes) (England) Regulations 2025
These Regulations, enacted by the Secretary of State using powers under the Childcare Acts 2006 and 2016, amend four existing statutory instruments governing early years childcare in England, effective from January 1st, 2026.
The primary purpose is to update various regulations—including those concerning welfare requirements, local authorities' duty to secure free childcare, and requirements for information, advice, and training—to reflect recent changes in inspection grades implemented by Ofsted and to incorporate inspection outcomes from independent inspectorates approved under the Education and Skills Act 2008.
The changes specify which inspection grades trigger requirements for intervention, continuous improvement, or withdrawal of public funding obligations for early years providers.
The Greater London Authority (Consolidated Council Tax Requirement Procedure) Regulations 2025
These Regulations, enacted by the Secretary of State under powers from the Greater London Authority Act 1999, modify the procedure for determining the Greater London Authority's consolidated council tax requirement specifically for the financial year beginning 1st April 2026.
The key change legally extends the deadline by which the Mayor must present the draft consolidated budget to the London Assembly from February 1st to February 15th, postponing the date specified in paragraph 3(4) of Schedule 6 of the 1999 Act.
The Milton Keynes (Electoral Changes) Order 2025
This Order enacts recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to change the electoral arrangements for the city of Milton Keynes, effective from 2026 onwards.
It legally abolishes all existing city wards and replaces them with 21 new wards, detailing the number of councillors for each, and establishes transitional rules for the first general election using these new arrangements in 2026, which will then revert to an election by thirds system.
Furthermore, the Order implements consequential changes to parish wards across several constituent parishes, redefining their boundaries and councillor numbers.
The Marine Recovery Funds Regulations 2025
These Regulations establish the framework for the creation, operation, and management of Marine Recovery Funds (MRFs) across the UK, designed to channel payments from entities responsible for adverse environmental effects of offshore wind activities towards approved compensatory measures.
The Secretary of State is empowered to set up these funds territorially, determine the application procedure for 'MRF applicants' seeking to make compensation payments, approve environmental 'measures,' and manage the subsequent delivery, monitoring, and adaptation of those measures through 'MRF contracts.'
The Borough Council of Calderdale (Elland Station and West Vale Access Package) (West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, Transforming Cities Fund) (Calder and Hebble Navigation Bridge) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2025
The Secretary of State for Transport confirms the Borough Council of Calderdale’s Scheme, enacted under the Highways Act 1980, which authorizes the construction of a multi-span bridge over the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
This bridge is a component of the Elland Station and West Vale Access Package, intended to provide essential pedestrian and cycle access to the proposed Elland Rail Station from the north bank, while ensuring navigational requirements of the waterway are met.