Local Government Legislation

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

The Inter-authority Recoupment (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

These Regulations amend the Inter-authority Recoupment (England) Regulations 2013 to establish new procedures for how local authorities in England reimburse one another for the cost of educating looked after children.

The instrument mandates that for education provided from 1st September 2026, a child's 'home' authority must pay a 'providing' authority for costs associated with a child who has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or attends a special school.

If authorities cannot agree on a figure within six months of a claim, the home authority must pay the total expenditure incurred by the providing authority, including transport costs but excluding Dedicated Schools Grant funding.

The Regulations apply to local authorities in England and Wales but specifically govern the financial relationship between English home and providing authorities.

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Correction slip

Published: Thu 25th Jun 26

This document issues technical corrections to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (Transitional and Saving Provisions) (England) Regulations 2026.

It modifies Regulation 3 and the accompanying Explanatory Note to replace incorrect references to 'Schedule 18' with 'Schedule 20'.

These changes apply to local government entities and regulatory bodies in England operating under the 2026 Act.

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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.

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The Energy Prices Act 2022 (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026

These Regulations make consequential amendments to various primary and secondary acts of legislation to account for the cessation of EU free movement law in the United Kingdom.

They modify eligibility criteria for social security benefits, child benefit, and tax credits by refining the definitions of 'persons from abroad' and 'persons not habitually resident'.

The measures apply to the Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs, and local authorities responsible for housing and council tax support, while providing specific protections for individuals with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement, or the Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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