English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (2026 c. 23)
- English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 (2026 c. 23)
- Part 1 Strategic authorities
- The strategic authorities
- 1 Strategic authorities
- Strategic authorities
- Foundation strategic authorities
- Mayoral strategic authorities
- Established mayoral strategic authorities
- The areas of competence
- 2 Areas of competence
- Single foundation strategic authorities
- 3 Single foundation strategic authorities
- Combined authorities and CCAs
- 4 Combined authorities and CCAs: establishment, expansion and functions
- 5 Combined authorities and CCAs: functions generally
- 6 Combined authorities and CCAs: decision-making and validity of proceedings
- 7 Combined authorities and CCAs: powers not limited by other provision or powers
- 8 Combined authorities and CCAs: designation as established mayoral strategic authorities
- 9 Appointment of commissioners by mayors
- 10 Combined authorities and CCAs: allowances for members with special responsibilities
- 11 Mayoral combined authorities and CCAs: overview and scrutiny committees
- 12 Mayoral combined authorities and CCAs: precepts
- 13 Power to borrow
- 14 Levies
- 15 Combined authorities and CCAs: minor amendments
- The Greater London Authority
- 16 Additional functions of the GLA
- Mayors
- 17 Members of legislatures disqualified for being a mayor of a strategic authority
- 18 Functions of mayors of combined authorities or CCAs
- 19 The “general functions” of mayors
- Annual report on devolution
- 20 Report under section 1 of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016
- Part 2 Functions of strategic authorities and mayors
- Mayoral powers of competence
- 21 Extension of general power of competence to strategic authorities
- 22 Power of mayors to convene meetings with local partners
- 23 Duty of mayors to collaborate
- Transport and local infrastructure
- 24 Regulation of provision of micromobility vehicles
- 25 Arrangements to carry out works on highways
- 26 Charges payable by undertakers executing works in maintainable highways
- 27 Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions
- 28 Restrictions on disposal of land by Transport for London
- 29 Key route network roads
- 30 Constituent councils to act in accordance with local transport plans etc
- 31 Local transport authorities and other transport functions
- Skills and employment support
- 32 Education
- Housing and strategic planning
- 33 Planning applications of potential strategic importance
- 34 Development orders
- 35 Power to charge community infrastructure levy
- 36 Acquisition and development of land
- 37 Housing accommodation
- 38 Mayoral development corporations
- 39 Prioritisation of development of brownfield land
- Economic development and regeneration
- 40 Assessment of economic conditions
- 41 Local growth plans
- 42 Local Government Act 2003: expenditure grant
- 43 Co-operation with local government pension scheme managers
- 44 Miscellaneous local authority functions
- Health, well-being & public service reform
- 45 Health improvement and health inequalities duty
- Public safety
- 46 Functions of police and crime commissioners
- 47 PCCs and police areas
- 48 Functions of fire and rescue authorities
- 49 Mayor with PCC and fire and rescue functions
- 50 Sharing of information
- 51 Licensing functions of the GLA and the Mayor of London
- Culture
- 52 Encouragement of visitors and promotion of visitors
- Requests by mayors of established mayoral strategic authorities
- 53 Requests by mayors of EMSAs for changes
- Regulations relating to functions of strategic authorities and mayors
- 54 Powers to make regulations in relation to functions of strategic authorities and mayors
- 55 Health service functions: application of existing limitations on devolution
- Supplementary provision relating to extension of functions
- 56 Incidental etc provision
- 57 Transfer of property, rights and liabilities
- Protection of functions
- 58 Prohibition of secondary legislation removing functions
- Part 3 Other measures about local authorities and PCCs
- Chapter 1 Reorganisation, governance, elections and councillors
- Reorganisation
- 59 Single tiers of local government
- 60 Certain functions of shadow authorities for single tiers of local government
- Governance
- 61 Local authority governance and executives
- 62 Local authorities: effective neighbourhood governance
- Elections
- 63 Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners: supplementary vote system
- 64 Limit on delay of election in connection with local government reorganisation
- Councillors
- 65 Publication of addresses of members etc in authority registers
- Chapter 2 Grants to joint committees of London councils
- 66 Power to pay grant to joint committees of London councils
- Chapter 3 Assets of community value
- 67 Community right to buy assets of community value and protection of sporting assets
- Chapter 4 Parking on footways and verges
- 68 Prohibition of parking on footways and verges
- Chapter 5 Land disposed of by local councils
- Discharge of statutory trusts
- 69 Secretary of State to have power to discharge statutory trusts
- Chapter 6 Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles
- National standards
- 70 “National standard” and “regulated licence”
- 71 Standards relating to the grant of a regulated licence
- 72 Standards relating to the suspension or revocation of a regulated licence
- 73 Standards relating to the renewal of a regulated licence
- 74 Further provision about standards
- 75 Duty to report concerns about drivers licensed in other areas
- Temporary suspension of licences
- 76 Power to suspend licence temporarily
- 77 Suspension under section 76
- 78 Suspension notice given to person who is not licence holder
- 79 Responsible licensing authority to be notified of suspension
- 80 Responsible licensing authority’s response to suspension of licence
- 81 Appeals and compensation
- 82 Enforcement officers
- General provision
- 83 Guidance
- 84 Relationship with existing licensing legislation
- 85 Regulations
- 86 Interpretation
- Chapter 7 Licensing of gambling premises
- 87 Licensing of gambling premises: impact assessments
- Chapter 8 National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority
- The general power of competence
- 88 Extension of general power of competence to English National Park authorities and the Broads Authority
- Part 4 Local audit
- 89 Establishment of Local Audit Office
- 90 Local audit providers: registration and public provision
- 91 New appointment arrangements for non-NHS audits
- 92 Audit providers to nominate lead partner
- 93 Code of audit practice
- 94 Audit committees
- 95 Review of audit and reporting arrangements at Secretary of State’s request
- 96 Smaller authorities: change of terminology
- 97 Power to provide for smaller authority treatment in previous years where audit outstanding
- 98 Amendment paving way for separation of LGPS accounts
- 99 Minor and consequential amendments
- Part 5 Business tenancies: rent reviews and arrangements for new tenancies
- 100 Rent reviews and arrangements for new tenancies
- Part 6 Final provisions
- 101 Interpretation
- 102 Saving of orders and regulations relating to combined authorities and CCAs
- 103 Power to make consequential provision
- 104 Certain orders and regulations provided for by Parts 1 and 2
- 105 Regulations
- 106 Financial provision
- 107 Extent
- 108 Commencement
- 109 Short title
- Schedules
- Schedule 1 Establishment, expansion and functions of combined authorities and CCAs
- Part 1 Combined authorities
- Part 2 CCAs
- Schedule 2 Decision-making and exercise of functions
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
- Local Government and Housing Act 1989
- Local Government Act 1972
- Schedule 3 Commissioners
- Schedule 2A to LURA 2023
- Schedule 5BA to LDEDCA 2009
- Schedule 4 Mayoral CCAs: overview and scrutiny committees
- Part 1 New scrutiny regime for CCAs that are established mayoral strategic authorities
- Introduction
- The new scrutiny regime
- Part 2 Amendments consequential on Part 1 of this Schedule
- Introduction
- Section 15: overview and scrutiny committees
- Section 29: deputy mayors
- Schedule 1: overview and scrutiny committees
- Schedule 2: election of Mayors of CCAs etc
- Schedule 2A: commissioners
- Part 3 Extension of new scrutiny regime to all mayoral CCAs
- Introduction
- Amendment of section 15
- Exclusion of all mayoral CCAs from scrutiny regime in Schedule 1 LURA 2023
- Inclusion of all mayoral CCAs in the new scrutiny regime
- Schedule 5 Mayoral combined authorities: overview and scrutiny committees
- Part 1 New scrutiny regime for combined authorities that are established mayoral strategic authorities
- Introduction
- The new scrutiny regime
- Part 2 Amendments consequential on Part 1 of this Schedule
- Introduction
- Section 104: overview and scrutiny committees
- Section 107C: deputy mayors
- Schedule 5A: overview and scrutiny committees
- Schedule 5B: election of Mayors of combined authorities etc
- Schedule 5BA: commissioners
- Part 3 Extension of new scrutiny regime to all mayoral combined authorities
- Introduction
- Amendment of section 104
- Exclusion of all mayoral combined authorities from scrutiny regime in Schedule 5A LDEDCA 2009
- Inclusion of all mayoral combined authorities in the new scrutiny regime
- Schedule 6 Extension of general power of competence to strategic authorities
- Introduction
- Amendment of section 1
- Amendment of section 2
- Amendment of section 3
- Amendment of section 4
- Amendment of section 5
- Amendment of section 8
- Consequential amendments
- Schedule 7 Providers of micromobility vehicles
- Schedule 8 Arrangements to carry out works on highways
- Highways Act 1980: delegation of functions relating to trunk roads
- Highways Act 1980: agreements for doing certain works
- Schedule 9 Charges payable by undertakers executing works in maintainable highways
- Introduction
- Approval of local highway authorities to make charges
- Power to charge: extension to charge for road works
- Schedule 10 Civil enforcement of traffic contraventions
- Schedule 11 Key route network roads
- Part 1 Designation and directions
- Designation of key route network roads: CCAs
- Designation of key route network roads: combined authorities
- Power of direction: CCAs
- Power of direction: combined authorities
- Consequential amendments
- Part 2 Transfer of duty of principal councils to make reports on Key Route Network roads
- Introduction
- New duty of mayoral combined authorities and CCAs
- Consequential amendments
- Schedule 12 Local transport authorities and other transport functions
- Transport Act 2000
- Transport Act 1985
- Schedule 13 Education
- Part 1 Adult education
- Part 2 Education for 16-19 year olds etc
- Schedule 14 Planning applications of potential strategic importance
- Schedule 15 Development orders
- Schedule 16 Amendments relating to changes to mayoral planning powers
- Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990
- Town and Country Planning Act 1990
- Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015
- Housing and Planning Act 2016
- Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023
- Schedule 17 Community infrastructure levy
- Schedule 18 Acquisition and development of land
- Part 1 Functions of the Homes and Communities Agency (known as Homes England)
- Introduction
- Exercise of functions by strategic authorities outside London
- Various powers
- Acquisition of land
- Restrictions on disposal of land
- Main powers in relation to acquired land
- Financial assistance
- Interpretation
- Acquisition of land
- Main powers in relation to land acquired
- Powers in relation to, and for, statutory undertakers
- Part 2 Functions of local authorities
- Introduction
- Compulsory acquisition of land for development and other planning purposes
- Acquisition of land by agreement
- Appropriation of land forming part of common, etc
- Acquisition of land for purposes of exchange
- Power of Secretary of State to require acquisition or development of land
- Appropriation of land held for planning purposes
- Disposal by local authorities of land held for planning purposes
- Development of land held for planning purposes
- Use and development of consecrated land and burial grounds
- Use and development of open spaces
- Overriding of rights of possession
- Constitution of joint body to hold land for planning purposes
- Interpretation of Part 9
- Extinguishment of rights of statutory undertakers: preliminary notices
- Extinguishment of rights of electronic communications code network operators: preliminary notices
- Orders under sections 271 and 272
- Extension or modification of functions of statutory undertakers
- Procedure in relation to orders under section 275
- Objections to orders under sections 275 and 277
- Contributions by local authorities and statutory undertakers
- Interpretation
- Part 3 The Greater London Authority
- Acquisition of land by agreement
- Schedule 19 Housing accommodation
- Introduction
- Periodical review of housing needs
- Provision of housing accommodation
- Provision of board and laundry facilities
- Provision of shops, recreation grounds, etc
- Acquisition of land for housing purposes
- Duties with respect to buildings acquired for housing purposes
- Interpretation
- Schedule 20 Mayoral development corporations
- Part 1 Amendment of the Localism Act 2011
- Introduction
- Part 8
- Interpretation
- Designation of Mayoral development areas
- Exclusion of land from Mayoral development areas
- Transfers of property etc to a Mayoral development corporation
- Functions in relation to Town and Country Planning
- Arrangements for discharge of, or assistance with, planning functions
- Acquisition of land
- Powers in relation to discretionary relief from non-domestic rates
- Transfers of property, rights and liabilities
- Miscellaneous provisions
- Schedule 21
- Part 2 Amendment of other legislation
- Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996
- GLAA 1999
- Local Government Act 2003
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
- Crossrail Act 2008
- Schedule 21 Assessment of economic conditions
- Schedule 22 Local growth plans
- Local growth plans
- Schedule 23 Miscellaneous local authority functions
- Placing of staff of local authorities at disposal of other local authorities
- Provision of information, etc, relating to matters affecting local government
- Power of local authorities to prosecute or defend legal proceedings
- Research and collection of information
- Schedule 24 Functions of police and crime commissioners
- Schedule 25 Fire and rescue authorities
- Part 1 Amendment of FRSA 2004
- Introduction
- Power to create combined fire and rescue authorities
- Combined authorities under the Fire Services Act 1947
- Provision about mayoral combined authorities or CCAs that are fire and rescue authorities
- Matters outside the scope of inspections
- Part 2 Amendments of other legislation
- Local Government Act 1972
- Local Government Finance Act 1988
- Local Government and Housing Act 1989
- LDEDCA 2009
- LURA 2023
- Schedule 26 Licensing functions of the GLA and the Mayor of London
- Schedule 27 Powers to make regulations in relation to functions of strategic authorities and mayors
- Part 1 Conferral and modification of functions
- Strategic authorities outside London
- Mayors outside London
- GLA
- Interpretation
- Part 2 Movement of functions between mayors and strategic authorities
- Functions moving from strategic authorities to mayors outside London
- Functions moving from mayors to strategic authorities outside London
- GLA functions
- Part 3 Exercise of functions
- Strategic authorities outside London
- Mayors outside London
- London
- Particular provision
- Part 4 Voting on decisions
- Strategic authorities outside London
- Part 5 Particular provision that may or may not be made by regulations
- Consequential abolition of public body
- Prohibition of self-regulation
- References to documents
- Functions which cannot be exercised by all strategic authorities or mayors in a class
- Exercise of functions may begin at different times etc
- Amendment of legislation
- Part 6 Pilot schemes
- Power to establish pilot scheme
- Consent to pilot scheme
- Pilot scheme for some strategic authorities or mayors in a class
- Impact report
- Response to a pilot scheme
- Interpretation
- Part 7 Making of regulations
- Powers to be exercisable by the Secretary of State
- Parliamentary scrutiny
- Mayoral strategic authorities: period before first mayor takes office
- Schedule 28 Arrangement relating to single tiers of local government
- Merger of single tiers of local government etc
- Schedule 29 Local authority governance and executives
- Requirements to have and retain leader and cabinet executive
- Duty to move from committee system to leader and cabinet executive (England)
- No new mayor and cabinet executives
- Abolition of permitted arrangements
- Other amendments
- Schedule 30 Mayors and PCCs: supplementary vote system
- Elections for the Mayor of London
- Elections for police and crime commissioners
- Elections for local authority mayors in England
- Elections for mayors of combined authorities
- Elections for mayors of combined county authorities
- Schedule 31 Assets of community value
- Part 1 Community right to buy and sporting assets of community value (England)
- Part 2 Minor and consequential amendments relating to Part 1
- Schedule 32 Prohibition of parking on footways and verges
- Prohibition of parking
- Imposition of, and publicity for, a parking prohibition
- Exclusions: roads etc
- Exclusions: vehicles and usage
- Traffic signs
- Defences
- Consultation and guidance
- Enforcement
- Repeal of existing legislation
- Crown application
- Interpretation
- Schedule 33 Extension of the general power of competence to English National Park authorities and the Broads Authority
- Introduction
- Amendment of section 1
- Amendment of section 2
- Amendment of section 3
- Amendment of section 4
- Amendment of section 5
- Amendment of section 8
- Schedule 34 The Local Audit Office
- Part 1 Constitution, proceedings etc
- Part 2 Transitional provision
- Initial appointment of Controller of Local Audit
- Initial business plans and corporate strategy
- Staff transfer schemes
- Property transfer schemes
- Part 3 Application of other legislation
- Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)
- Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)
- House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)
- Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)
- Equality Act 2010 (c. 15)
- Schedule 35 Local audit: registration bodies, registered providers and qualifications
- Schedule 36 Local audit: minor and consequential amendments
- Part 1 Amendments of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014
- Part 2 Other amendments
- Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (c. 65)
- Companies Act 2006 (c. 46)
- Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20)
- Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55)
- Schedule 37 Business tenancies: rent reviews and arrangements for new tenancies
- Introduction
- New Schedules 7A and 7B
- Crown application
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