Local Government Legislation

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

The Access to the Countryside (Coastal Margin) (Bawdsey to Aldeburgh) Order 2026

This Order establishes June 24, 2026, as the date on which the access preparation period ends for land designated as coastal margin between Bawdsey and Aldeburgh in Suffolk.

It applies to land identified in five specific reports submitted by Natural England and approved by the Secretary of State under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

By concluding the access preparation period, the Order triggers the legal commencement of public access rights to this stretch of coastal land under the terms of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

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The Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

These Regulations amend the Clean Air Zones Central Services (Fees) (England) Regulations 2020 to increase the financial obligations of local charging authorities to the Secretary of State.

The instrument raises the fee per processed payment from £2 to £4 when the central services system is used to handle Clean Air Zone charges.

Furthermore, it extends the duration for which authorities are liable to pay these fees through 31st March 2031, applying specifically to charging authorities within England.

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The Education (Free School Lunches in Maintained Nursery Schools) (Universal Credit) (England) Order 2026

This Order establishes free school lunch eligibility for registered pupils at maintained nursery schools in England if their parent receives Universal Credit and they do not already qualify under existing legislative criteria.

It directs school authorities to treat these pupils as eligible persons under section 512ZB(4A) of the Education Act 1996.

The provisions apply specifically to the education sector in England and involve parents who are recipients of Universal Credit.

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The Removal, Storage and Disposal of Motor Vehicles Timeframes (Amendment) Regulations 2026

These Regulations amend existing statutory instruments to shorten the mandatory timeframes for the retention and disposal of motor vehicles seized by the police. The order directs that previously varied periods—including 14 days, 21 days, 3 months, or 7 working days—be standardized to 7 calendar days for the purposes of vehicle collection and disposal eligibility.

It applies to police authorities and vehicle storage contractors in England and Wales, with certain parts also extending to Scotland.

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The Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities (Remuneration Panels for Member Allowances and Consequential Amendments) Order 2026

This Order establishes the regulatory framework for independent remuneration panels to recommend allowances for members of combined authorities (CAs) and combined county authorities (CCAs) in England who have special responsibilities.

It directs that panels established under existing 2017 regulations function as the "relevant remuneration panels" for the purposes of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

The Order applies to across multiple regional authorities—including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and the Tees Valley—by amending their specific constitutive orders to permit certain allowance payments as exceptions to general prohibitions on member remuneration.

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The Football Governance Act 2025 (Commencement No. 4) Regulations 2026

These regulations bring into force specific provisions of the Football Governance Act 2025 on July 1, 2026, primarily concerning the duties of professional football clubs and competition organisers in England and Wales.

The instrument activates statutory controls over the disposal or relocation of home grounds, as well as changes to club heritage markers like names, crests, and kit colours.

It also mandates that clubs notify the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) of changes in circumstances and enables investigatory powers concerning potential regulatory infringements.

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The Scotland Act 1998 (Increase of Borrowing Limits) Order 2026

The Northern Ireland Act 2000 (Modification) Order 2007 extends the duration of the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

It modifies section 7(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 2000 to substitute a later date for the expiry of the suspension period, ensuring that the authorities and restrictions established by section 1 of that Act remain in effect.

This order applies to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the administrative functions of the Northern Ireland Departments during the period of direct rule.

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The Non-Domestic Rating (Definition of Domestic Property) (England) Order 2026

Published: Tue 30th Jun 26

This Order amends the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to modify the definition of domestic property in England specifically concerning self-catering accommodation.

It directs that the standard requirements for a property to have been available for 140 days and actually let for 70 days in the previous year to qualify as non-domestic do not apply to properties occupied with other non-domestic land or to sites containing five or more self-catering units.

These changes apply to property owners, valuation officers, and local billing authorities responsible for determining whether a property is subject to non-domestic rates or council tax.

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