Local Government Legislation
Legislative framework for local authority powers, council operations, municipal services, and community governance.
The Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These regulations amend the Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Fees) Regulations 2016 to adjust the administrative handling of fees in England and Wales.
They redefine the officials to whom fees are payable for register entries and corrections, specifically distinguishing between records created before and after July 1, 2009.
The measures apply to registrars and superintendent registrars, removing references to physical 'custody' of registers to accommodate the transition to electronic record-keeping.
The Public Service Pension Schemes (Rectification of Unlawful Discrimination) (Tax) Regulations 2026
This instrument modifies the tax treatment of public service pension schemes to facilitate the rectification of unlawful discrimination as required by the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022.
It amends previous regulations to allow members to submit 'scheme pays' notices digitally via HMRC, extends deadlines for reporting increased tax liabilities, and provides specific tax frameworks for Armed Forces, judicial, and local government pension schemes.
The regulations apply to scheme administrators, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and members of public service schemes—including judges and teachers—who are eligible for a discrimination remedy.
The Police (Conduct and Vetting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
These Regulations amend existing police conduct, vetting, and performance rules in England and Wales to establish stricter suspension and vetting requirements for police officers and candidates.
They mandate suspension for officers charged with specific serious offences or domestic abuse, define "listed offences" that trigger automatic administrative actions, and introduce a requirement for police candidates to hold vetting clearance granted within six months of their appointment.
The regulations apply to chief officers of police, the College of Policing, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct, directing how these authorities must delegate functions, conduct reviews, and notify officers of disciplinary or vetting decisions.
The Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Change of coming into force) Order 2026
The Lord Chancellor postpones the commencement date of the Court and Tribunal Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2026 from 6th July 2026 to 13th July 2026.
This Order applies to fees collected across various legal venues, including the Court of Protection, Magistrates' Courts, the Upper Tribunal, and the First-tier Tribunal, covering matters such as probate, insolvency, and immigration.
The change affects several existing fee orders and is issued with the consent of the Treasury and after consultation with senior members of the judiciary.
The Environmental Delivery Plans (Appropriate Prioritisation) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish a hierarchy of conservation measures that Natural England must follow when drafting or amending Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) under the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
The agency is directed to prioritize avoidance of environmental damage over mitigation, and mitigation over compensation, provided such prioritisation is deemed appropriate and delivers value for money.
These rules apply specifically to Natural England's administrative processes in England and require the agency to explicitly categorize all proposed conservation measures within their plans.
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026
These Regulations bring several provisions of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 into legal force on various dates throughout 2026.
The instrument activates sections concerning Natural England's advisory role, the transfer of transport functions, and significant reforms to the development consent process for infrastructure projects under the Planning Act 2008.
These changes apply to the Secretary of State, local planning authorities, Natural England, and applicants for major infrastructure developments in England and Wales.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026
These Regulations bring specific provisions of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 into force on 22nd June 2026, primarily concerning the enforcement of housing standards in England.
The order authorizes local housing authorities to impose civil penalties of up to £7,000 on individuals responsible for 'qualifying residential premises' that contain a category 1 hazard, provided it was reasonably practicable to remove said hazard.
It applies to local housing authorities, landlords, and superior landlords, and it establishes the administrative procedures for issuing, appealing, and enforcing these financial penalties while also amending the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to permit authorities to use penalty proceeds for enforcement activities.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1 and Saving) Regulations 2026
This statutory instrument brings into force specific provisions of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 concerning the electoral system for mayors.
It directs that elections for combined authority mayors and combined county authority mayors must utilize the supplementary vote system.
The regulations apply to electoral administrators and candidates in England, though they exempt any elections where the formal notice was published prior to June 18, 2026.