Standard view

Part I Local Government Areas, Authorities and Elections

New areas and councils

F11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F13A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Election of Councillors

F14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16–10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II Changes in Local Government Areas

Proposals by Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

12 Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland

(1) There shall be a Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland (in this Part of this Act referred to as “the Boundary Commission”) who shall carry out the functions conferred on them by or under this Act.

(2) The provisions of Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the Boundary Commission.

13 Proposals for changes in local government areas

The Boundary Commission may, in consequence of a review conducted by them under this Part of this Act, make proposals to the Secretary of State for effecting changes appearing to the Commission desirable in the interests of effective and convenient local government by any of the following means or any combination of those means (including the application of any of the following paragraphs to an area constituted or altered under any of those paragraphs):

(a) the alteration of a local government area;

(b) the constitution of a new local government area;

(c) the abolition of a local government area;

(d) a change of electoral arrangements for any local government area which is either consequential on any change in local government areas proposed under this section or is a change (hereafter in this Part of this Act referred to as a “substantive change”) which is independent of any change in local government areas so proposed.

14 Duty and power to review local government areas

(1) Subject to sections 15 and 16 of this Act, it shall be the duty of the Boundary Commission, not less than [F1eight] nor more than [F2twelve] years after [F31st April 1996] and thereafter at intervals of not less than [F1eight] nor more than [F2twelve] years from the submission of the last report of the Commission on the previous review under this subsection, to review all local government areas for the purpose of considering whether to make such proposals in relation to all or any or any part of those areas as are authorised by section 13 of this Act and what proposals, if any, to make, and the Commission shall formulate any such proposals accordingly.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the Boundary Commission may at any time, subject to sections 15 and 16 of this Act, review all or any or any part of the local government areas for the purpose of considering whether to make such proposals in relation to them as are authorised by section 13 of this Act, and what proposals, if any, to make, and the Commission shall formulate any such proposals accordingly.

(3) If the Boundary Commission receive a request from a local authority or from any person that they should conduct a review under subsection (2) above with respect to any local government area in which the authority or person appears to the Commission to have an interest, the Commission shall consider the request.

(4) In any case where the Secretary of State has made an order under section 1 of the M1New Towns (Scotland) Act 1968 designating any land as, or as an extension of, a new town and the area of the new town as so designated or so extended is not wholly comprised within one district, he shall, as soon as practicable after the order has become operative, send to the Boundary Commission a notice stating that the order is in operation and specifying the districts within which that area is situated, and on receipt of such a notice it shall be the duty of the Commission, subject to section 15(3) of this Act, to review the areas of those districts for the purpose of considering whether to make such proposals in relation to them as are authorised by section 13 of this Act and what proposals, if any, to make, and the Commission shall formulate any such proposals accordingly.

15 Powers of Secretary of State in relation to reviews

(1) The Secretary of State may by direction given to the Boundary Commission vary the length of any interval specified in section 14(1) of this Act either as respects the whole review or as respects any particular case or cases.

(2) Subject to section 16 of this Act, the Secretary of State may direct the Boundary Commission to conduct a review of the local government areas as a whole, or of any one or more such areas or parts thereof, for the purpose of considering whether to make such proposals in relation to the areas as are authorised by section 13 of this Act and what proposals, if any, to make, and the Commission shall formulate any such proposals accordingly.

(3) The Secretary of State may direct the Boundary Commission not to undertake during a specified period a review of any one or more local government areas or parts of such areas which they have the duty or power to review under section 14 of this Act.

(4) The Secretary of State may give directions to the Boundary Commission for their guidance in conducting reviews under this Part of this Act and in making proposals in consequence thereof, and the directions may relate to all such reviews or to any particular review or class of review.

(5) A direction shall not be given under subsection (4) above with respect to any review conducted under this Part of this Act except after consultation with associations appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of local authorities.

(6) The Secretary of State may give directions to the Boundary Commission with respect to the order in which areas are to be reviewed by them under sections 14 and 15(2) of this Act.

16 Substantive changes in electoral arrangements

(1) No review shall be conducted under section 14 or 15 of this Act for the purpose of making proposals for a substantive change of electoral arrangements, but the following provisions of this section shall have effect with respect to the making of such proposals.

(2) It shall be the duty of the Boundary Commission not less than [F1eight] nor more than [F2twelve] years after the submission of the report on the [F3first] review of electoral arrangements for a local government area under [F4section 4(1) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9)] and thereafter, so far as is reasonably practicable, at intervals of not less than [F1eight] nor more than [F2twelve] years from the submission of the last report of the Commission under this subsection in relation to that area, to review the electoral arrangements for that area for the purpose of considering whether to make proposals to the Secretary of State for a substantive change in those arrangements and what proposals, if any, to make, and the Commission shall formulate any such proposals accordingly.

(3) Without prejudice to subsection (2) above, the Boundary Commission may at any time, whether at the request of a local authority or otherwise, review the electoral arrangements for a local government area for the purpose of considering whether to make proposals to the Secretary of State for a substantive change in those arrangements and what proposals, if any, to make and the Commission shall formulate any such proposals accordingly.

17 Commission’s reports and their implementation

(1) Where the Boundary Commission have—

(a) in accordance with section 14 or 15 of this Act been conducting a review of any area; or

(b) in accordance with section 16 of this Act been conducting a review of electoral arrangements,

on which they have a power or duty to formulate proposals to the Secretary of State, and in either case the Commission are of the opinion that they are in a position to submit to the Secretary of State a report on the review or any part of it, they shall, not later than the expiry of any time limit applicable to the review in question in terms of section 14, 15 or 16 of this Act, submit a report to him on the review or that part, together with the proposals they have formulated thereon, or, as the case may be, a notification that they have no proposals to put forward thereon.

(2) The Secretary of State may if he thinks fit by order give effect to any proposals made to him by the Boundary Commission, either as submitted to him or with modifications:

(3) If in relation to any area the Secretary of State decides to make an order under this section giving effect with modifications to proposals made to him by the Boundary Commission, he may, if he thinks fit, direct the Commission to conduct a further review of that area or, as the case may be, of its electoral arrangements and to make a report to him containing revised proposals with respect to that area or those arrangements within a time specified in the direction.

(4) Where, following the submission of any report by the Commission under this section, the Secretary of State decides to make an order thereunder which abolishes or alters the boundaries of any local government area, he shall lay any such report before Parliament together with the order, and any statutory instrument containing such an order shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either house of Parliament.

Conduct of Reviews

18 Procedure for reviews

(1) Where the Boundary Commission propose to conduct a review under the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act, they shall take such steps as they think fit to secure that persons who may be interested in the review are informed of the proposal to conduct it and of any directions of the Secretary of State which are relevant to it.

(2) In conducting any such review, the Boundary Commission shall—

(a) consult—

(i) the council of any local government area affected by the review, and such other local authorities, community councils and public bodies as appear to them to be concerned;

(ii) any bodies representative of staff employed by local authorities who have asked the Boundary Commission to consult them; and

(iii) such other persons as they think fit;

[F1(aa) at least two months before taking any steps under paragraph (b) below to inform other persons of any draft proposals or any interim decision not to make proposals, inform the council of any local government area affected by the review of those proposals or that decision;

(ab) before taking any such steps, take into consideration any representation made to them by such a council during the period of two months beginning on the day on which the council is informed under paragraph (aa);]

(b) take such steps as they think fit for seeing that persons who may be interested in the review are informed of any draft proposals or any interim decision not to make proposals, and of the place or places where those proposals or that decision can be inspected;

(c) in particular, deposit copies of those proposals or that decision at the offices of the council of any local government area which may be affected thereby and require any such council to keep the copies available for inspection at their offices for a period specified in the requirement; and

(d) take into consideration any representation made to them within that period.

[F2(2A) The Scottish Ministers may give directions to—

(a) the Boundary Commission,

(b) the council of any local government area affected by a review,

in relation to consultation under subsection (2)(a) above.

(2B) Such directions may be given generally or in relation to particular reviews or particular aspects of reviews.]

(3) Where the Boundary Commission make a report under this Part of this Act they shall—

(a) take such steps as they think fit for securing that persons who may be interested in the report are informed of it and of the place or places where it can be inspected;

(b) in particular, deposit copies of the report at the offices of the council of any local government area which may be affected thereby and require any such council to keep the copies available for inspection at their offices until the expiration of six months after the making of an order giving effect, with or without modifications, to any proposals contained in the report, or after a notification by the Commission that they have no proposals to put forward or, as the case may be, by the Secretary of State that he does not propose to give effect to the proposals of the Commission.

(4) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, the procedure of the Boundary Commission in conducting any review under this Part of this Act shall be such as they may determine.

19 Local inquiries

(1) The Boundary Commission may cause a local inquiry to be held with respect to any review carried out by them under this Part of this Act.

(2) Subsections (3) to (6) and (8) of section 210 of this Act shall apply in relation to an inquiry held under this section with the substitution for references to a Minister of references to the Boundary Commission.

Supplementary Provisions

20 First review of electoral arrangements

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21 Delegation of functions of Commission

(1) The Boundary Commission may appoint one or more members of the Commission—

(a) to hold any local inquiry or to carry out any consultation or investigation which the Commission are required or authorised to hold or carry out under this Act; and

(b) to report to the Commission accordingly.

(2) At the request of the Boundary Commission the Secretary of State may appoint one or more persons as assistant commissioners for all or any of the purposes specified in subsection (1)(a) and (b) above.

(3) The appointment of an assistant commissioner under subsection (2) above—

(a) shall be for such period or for such purpose or purposes as may be specified in the terms of his appointment; and

(b) shall be on such terms and conditions as to remuneration and otherwise as may be determined by the Secretary of State with the approval of [F1the Treasury].

22 Restriction on promotion of private legislation for changing local government areas, etc

No local authority shall have power to promote private legislation for forming or abolishing any local government area or for altering, or altering the status or electoral arrangements of, any local government area.

[F123 Change of name of local government area

(1) The council of a local government area may, by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting thereon at a meeting of the council specially convened for the purpose with notice of the object, change the name of the area.

[F2(1A) Where a council so change the name of their area into Gaelic, they may also, by a resolution passed in accordance with subsection (1) above and notwithstanding sections 2(3) and 3(1)(a) of the M1Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, decide that their name shall be “Comhairle” with the addition of the name of their area.

(1B) A council which have so changed their name into Gaelic may, by a resolution passed in accordance with subsection (1) above, change it back into English.]

(2) Notice of any change of name made under this section—

(a) shall be sent by the council concerned to the Secretary of State, to the Director General of the Ordnance Survey and to the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland; and

(b) shall be published in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct.

(3) A change of name made in pursuance of this section shall not affect any rights or obligations of any council, authority or person, or render defective any legal proceedings; and any legal proceedings may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of name.]

24 Consequential and transitional arrangements relating to Part II

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations of general application make such incidental, consequential, transitional or supplementary provision as may appear to him to be necessary or proper for the purposes or in consequence of orders under this Part of this Act or for giving full effect thereto; and nothing in any other provision of this Act shall be construed as prejudicing the generality of this subsection.

(2) Regulations under this section may apply, with or without modifications, or extend, exclude or amend, or repeal or revoke, with or without savings, any provision of a local Act or any instrument made under an Act.

(3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(4) An order under this Part of this Act may include the like provision in relation to the order as may be made by regulations of general application under this section by virtue of subsections (1) and (2) above; and nothing in any other provision of this Act shall be construed as prejudicing the generality of this subsection.

(5) Any such order may also include provision with respect to—

(a) the name of any altered area;

(b) the constitution and election of public bodies in any area affected by the order;

(c) the retiral of existing councillors for electoral [F1wards] which have been abolished or the assignment of such councillors and of other existing councillors to new or altered electoral [F1wards], and the first election of councillors for any new or altered electoral [F1wards];

(d) without prejudice to paragraph (c) above, the holding of a fresh election of councillors for all electoral [F1wards] in the local government area in question in a case where substantial changes have been made to some of those [F1wards];

(e) the abolition or establishment, or the restriction or extension, of the jurisdiction of any public body in or over any part of the area affected by the order;

(f) the register of electors to be used at any election of F2. . . councillors for any electoral [F3ward] affected by the order.

(6) In this section and in section 25 of this Act, “public body” means a local authority, joint board or joint committee.

25 Transitional agreements as to property and finance

(1) Subject to any regulations made under section 24 of this Act and to the provisions of any order made under this Part of this Act, any public bodies affected by the alteration, abolition or constitution of any area by an order under this Part of this Act may from time to time make agreements with respect to any property, income, rights, liabilities and expenses (so far as affected by the alteration, abolition or constitution) of, and any financial relations between, the parties to the agreement.

(2) The agreement may provide—

(a) for the transfer or retention of any property, rights and liabilities, with or without conditions, and for the joint use of any property;

(b) for the making of payments by either party to the agreement in respect of property, rights and liabilities so transferred or retained, or of such joint use, and in respect of the remuneration or compensation payable to any person; and

(c) for the making of any such payment either by way of a capital sum or of a terminable annuity.

(3) In default of agreement as to any matter, the matter shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbiter agreed on by the parties, or in default of agreement appointed by the Secretary of State, and the award of the arbiter may provide for any matter for which an agreement under this section might have provided; but the provisions of section 3 of the M1Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972 (power of arbiter to state case to Court of Session) shall not apply in relation to an arbitration under this section.

(4) Any sum required to be paid by a public body in pursuance of an agreement or award under this section shall be defrayed in such manner as may be specified in the agreement or award and, failing the agreement or award so specifying, in such manner as the public body making the payment may determine.

(5) Any capital sum received by a public body in pursuance of an agreement or award under this section shall be treated as capital and shall be applied with the sanction of the Secretary of State either in the repayment of capital debt or for any other purpose for which capital money may be applied.

26 Variation and revocation of orders under Part II

(1) The power conferred by section 233 of this Act to vary and revoke orders under this Act shall, in the case of orders under this Part of this Act, apply only in relation to any supplementary provision contained in any such order, and an order varying or revoking any such provision shall only be made after compliance with subsections (2) and (3) below.

(2) When the Secretary of State proposes to make any such varying or revoking order he shall prepare a draft of the order, shall send copies of the draft to such local or public authorities and community councils as appear to him to be concerned, and shall give public notice, in such manner as appears to him sufficient for informing persons likely to be concerned, that the draft has been prepared, that a copy of the draft is available for inspection at one or more places specified in the notice and that representations with respect to the draft may be made to him within two months of the publication of the notice.

(3) The Secretary of State shall consider any representations duly made with respect to the draft and may, if he thinks fit, make an order either in the form of the draft or subject to modifications.

(4) The Secretary of State may cause a local inquiry to be held with respect to a draft order under this section.

(5) In this section “supplementary provision” means any such provision as could be made by an order under this part of this Act by virtue of section 24 or 215 of this Act.

27 Consultation with Boundary Commission on schemes for community councils

In considering the framing or approval of a scheme or of an amendment to a scheme under Part IV of this Act, a local authority or the Secretary of State may consult the Boundary Commission on any matter relating to the boundaries of the area of a community council.

28 Supplementary

(1) In this Part of this Act—

• “electoral arrangements” means, in relation to a local government area, the number of councillors of the council for that area, the number and boundaries of the electoral [F1wards] into which that area is for the time being divided for the purpose of the election of the councillors [F2, the number of councillors for each electoral ward], and the designation of any electoral [F1ward];

• [F3“local government area” means the area of a local authority;]

• “substantive change” has the meaning assigned to it by section 13(d) of this Act.

(2) In considering the electoral arrangements for local government areas for the purposes of this Part of this Act, [F4or section 4(1) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9)] the Secretary of State and the Boundary Commission shall so far as is reasonably practicable comply with the rules set out in Schedule 6 to this Act, and the said arrangements shall be in accordance with the provisions of [F5section 1 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9)].

(3) F6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part III General Provisions as to Members of Local Authorities and Proceedings

Qualifications and disqualifications

29 Qualifications for nomination, election and holding office as member of local authority

(1) A person shall, unless disqualified by virtue of this Act or any other enactment, be qualified to be nominated as a candidate for election as, or to be elected, or to be, a member of a local authority if he has attained the age of [F118] years, is a [F2qualifying Commonwealth citizen] or a citizen of the Irish Republic [F3or a relevant citizen of the Union] and not subject to any legal incapacity and—

(a) is, on the day on which he is nominated as a candidate, a local government elector for the area of the authority; or

(b) has, during the whole of the twelve months preceding the day on which he is nominated as a candidate, occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the area of the authority; or

(c) his principal or only place of work in the twelve months preceding the day on which he is nominated as a candidate has been in the area of the authority; or

(d) has, during the whole of the twelve months preceding the day on which he is nominated as a candidate, resided in the area of the authority.

[F4(1A) A person who has received a severance payment (within the meaning of section 12 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9)) shall not be so qualified.]

(2) In subsection (1) above,

[F5“citizen of the Union” shall be construed in accordance with Article 8.1 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (as amended by Title II of the Treaty on European Union) and “relevant citizen of the Union” means such a citizen who is not a [F6qualifying] Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland; and]

• “owner” includes heir of entail in possession, liferenter and beneficiary entitled under any trust to the rents and profits of land or other premises, and does not include fiar of land or other premises subject to a liferent, or tutor, curator, judicial factor or commissioners.

[F7(3) For the purposes of this section, a person is a qualifying Commonwealth citizen if he is a Commonwealth citizen who either—

(a) is not a person who requires leave under the Immigration Act 1971 to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or

(b) is such a person but for the time being has (or is, by virtue of any enactment, to be treated as having) indefinite leave to remain within the meaning of that Act.

(4) But a person is not a qualifying Commonwealth citizen by virtue of subsection (3)(a) if he does not require leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom by virtue only of section 8 of the Immigration Act 1971 (exceptions to requirement for leave in special cases).]

30 Re-election

A person ceasing to hold office to which he is elected under [F1the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994] shall, unless he is not qualified or is disqualified, be eligible for re-election.

31 Disqualifications for nomination, election and holding office as member of local authority

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, a person shall be disqualified for being nominated as a candidate for election as, or for being elected, or for being, a member of a local authority if—

(a) F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) he is a person whose estate has been sequestrated by a court in Scotland or who has been adjudged bankrupt elsewhere than in Scotland; or

[F2(ba) he is subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order;]

(c) he has, within five years before the day of nomination, or election or since his election, as the case may be, been convicted in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Irish Republic of any offence and has had passed on him a sentence of imprisonment (whether suspended or not) for a period of not less than three months without the option of a fine; or

(d) he is disqualified for being elected or for being a member of that authority under Part III of the [F3 M1Representation of the People Act 1983].

[F4(1A) A person is disqualified for being a member of a joint board if he or a partner of his holds any paid office or employment (other than the office of [F5convener or depute convener] of the board) or other place of profit in the gift or disposal of the board.]

(2) Where a person is disqualified under subsection (1) above by reason of his estate having been sequestrated, the disqualification shall cease if and when—

(a) the sequestration of his estate is recalled or reduced; or

[F6(b) he is discharged under or by virtue of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985.]

(3) Where a person is disqualified under subsection (1) above by reason of having been adjudged bankrupt, then—

(a) if the bankruptcy is annulled on the ground that he ought not to have been adjudged bankrupt or on the ground that his debts have been paid in full, the disqualification shall cease on the date of the annulment;

(b) if he is discharged with a certificate that the bankruptcy was caused by misfortune without any misconduct on his part, the disqualification shall cease on the date of his discharge; and

(c) if he is discharged without such a certificate, his disqualification shall cease on the expiration of five years from the date of his discharge.

[F7(3A) A person who is for the time being an officer or employee of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority or an employee of a subsidiary of that Authority shall be disqualified for being appointed or for being a member of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.]

[F8(3B) In subsection (1)(ba) above, “bankruptcy restrictions order” means—

(a) a bankruptcy restrictions order made under section 56A of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985;

(b) a bankruptcy restrictions undertaking entered into under section 56G of that Act;

(c) a bankruptcy restrictions order made under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4A to the Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45); or

(d) a bankruptcy restrictions undertaking entered into under paragraph 7 of that Schedule.]

F9(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F131A Disqualification of officers, employees etc. from remaining members of local authority

(1) A person elected a member of a local authority who is the holder of any paid office or employment or other place of profit in the gift or disposal of the authority is disqualified from remaining a member of the authority after the relevant day unless the person complies with subsection (2) below.

(2) A person complies with this subsection by resigning, not later than the relevant day, from that office, employment or, as the case may be, other place of profit.

(3) A resignation effected in pursuance of subsection (2) above terminates the holding of the office, employment or other place of profit with immediate effect notwithstanding any contrary provision in the terms and conditions under which the office, employment or place of profit is held.

(4) In this section the relevant day is the day first occurring after that on which the person elected a member of the local authority was, under the local elections rules, declared to be so elected (no account being taken of a day which is a Saturday or Sunday or Christmas Eve, Easter Monday, or a bank holiday in Scotland under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80) or a day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning in Scotland).

(5) In subsection (4) above, the “local elections rules” means an order made under section 3(1) of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 9).

(6) This section does not affect section 1 (disqualification and political restriction of certain local government officers and staff) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42).]

32 Proceedings for disqualification

(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, proceedings against any person on the ground that he is disqualified (within the meaning of this section) for being nominated as a candidate for election as a member of a local authority may be instituted before the sheriff principal by any opposing candidate at the election.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, proceedings against any person on the ground that he acted, or claims to be entitled to act, as a member of a local authority while disqualified for so acting within the meaning of this section may be instituted before the sheriff principal by the local authority concerned or by any four or more local government electors for the area concerned.

(3) Proceedings under this section may not be instituted after the alleged disqualification has ceased to exist, but proceedings pending at the time of such cessation may continue.

(4) Where in proceedings under this section it is proved that a person has acted as a member of a local authority while disqualified for so acting, the sheriff principal may—

(a) make a declaration to that effect and declare that the office in which the person has acted is vacant;

(b) grant interdict against the person so acting;

(c) order the person to pay to the authority such sum not exceeding £100 as the sheriff principal thinks fit.

(5) Where in proceedings under this section it is proved that the person concerned claims to act as a member of a local authority and is disqualified for so acting, the sheriff principal may make a declaration to that effect and declare that the office in which the person claims to be entitled to act is vacant and grant interdict against the person so acting.

(6) The sheriff principal shall have the same powers and privileges as a judge on the trial of a parliamentary election petition.

(7) For the purposes of this section, a person shall be deemed to be disqualified for acting as a member of a local authority if he is not qualified to be, or is disqualified for being, a member of the authority.

33 Validity of acts done by unqualified persons

The acts and proceedings of any person elected to an office under [F1the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994] and acting in that office shall, notwithstanding any question as to the validity of his election or his disqualification or want of qualification, be as valid and effectual as if he had been duly elected and qualified.

[F1 Acceptance of Office

33A Declaration of acceptance of office of councillor

(1) A person elected to office as a councillor of a local authority shall not, unless—

(a) he has made a declaration of acceptance of office in a form prescribed by an order made by the Secretary of State; and

(b) the declaration has within two months from the day of the election been delivered to the proper officer of the local authority,

act in the office except for the purpose of taking such a declaration.

(2) If such a declaration is not made and delivered to the proper officer within the appointed time, the office of the person elected shall at the expiration of that time become vacant.

(3) The declaration shall be made before either—

(a) two members of the local authority to which the declarant is elected; or

(b) the proper officer of the local authority; or

(c) the sheriff; or

(d) a justice of the peace.

(4) Any person before whom a declaration is authorised to be made under this section may take the declaration.]

Resignation and Vacation of Office

34 Resignation

A member of a local authority may, at any time, resign his office as member by a notice in writing signed by him and delivered to the proper officer of the authority, and his resignation shall take effect upon the expiration of three weeks after the date of delivery of the notice or upon such earlier date, if any, as may be stated in the notice as the date on which the resignation is to take effect.

35 Vacation of office by failure to attend meetings

(1) Subject to subsections [F1(2) to (4)] below, if a member of a local authority fails throughout a period of six consecutive months to attend any meeting of the authority, he shall, unless the failure was due to some reason approved by the authority, cease to be a member of the authority.

(2) Attendance as a member at a meeting of any committee or sub-committee of the authority, or at a meeting of any joint committee, joint board or other body by whom for the time being any of the functions of the authority are being discharged, and attendance as representative of the authority at a meeting of any body of persons, shall be deemed for the purposes of subsection (1) above to be attendance at a meeting of the authority.

(3) A member of any branch of Her Majesty’s naval, military or air forces when employed during war or any emergency on any naval, military or air force service, and a person whose employment in the service of Her Majesty in connection with war or any emergency is such as, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, to entitle him to relief from disqualification on account of absence, shall not cease to be a member of a local authority by reason only of a failure to attend meetings of the local authority if the failure is due to that employment.

[F2(4) The absence of a member of a local authority from a meeting of the authority during a period of suspension imposed on the member under section 103F or 103G of this Act or section 19 or 21(2) of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7) is not, for the purposes of this section, a failure to attend the meeting.]

36 Casual vacancies

For the purpose of filling a casual vacancy in any office for which an election is held under [F1the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994], the date on which the vacancy is to be deemed to have occurred shall be—

(a) in the case of death, on the date of death;

(b) in the case of resignation, the date on which the notice of resignation takes effect;

(c) in the case of the election of a person who is not qualified to be elected or who is disqualified for being elected a member of a local authority, or of a member of a local authority ceasing to be qualified to be a member or becoming disqualified for being a member, the date on which the office has been declared vacant by the sheriff principal [F2or become vacant by operation of section 19(3)(a) (effect of disqualification) of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7).] or the date of the determination of any appeal;

(d) in the case of a full number of members of a local authority not being elected at an election, the [F3day on which the poll was held at] the election;

(e) in the case of an election being declared void on an election petition, the date of the decision of the election court;

(f) in the case of a vacancy arising from any other cause, not being a vacancy arising in ordinary course, such date as the local authority may determine.

37 Filling of casual vacancies

(1) On a casual vacancy occurring in the office of councillor, an election to fill the vacancy shall be held within three months from the date on which the vacancy is deemed to have occurred, and the [F1day on which the poll is to be held at the] election to fill the vacancy shall be fixed by the returning officer.

(2) Where a casual vacancy in any such office occurs within six months before the [F2relevant] date F3. . . , an election shall not be held under subsection (1) above unless, on the occurrence of the vacancy (or in the case of a number of simultaneous vacancies, the occurrence of the vacancies), the total number of unfilled vacancies in the membership of the council exceeds one third of the whole number of members; and where an election under subsection (1) above is not held, the vacancy shall be filled at the next ordinary election.

[F4(2A) For the purposes of subsection (2) above, the “relevant date” is—

(a) the first Thursday in May in the year in which the next ordinary election is to be held; or

(b) where, by virtue of subsection (1)(b) of section 43 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c.2), the poll at that election is to be held on another day, that other day.]

(3) A person elected to fill a casual vacancy in the office of councillor shall hold office until the day of the next ordinary election.

Restrictions on voting

38 Disability of members of authorities for voting on account of interest in contracts, etc

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39 Pecuniary interests for purposes of section 38

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40 General notices and recording of disclosures for purposes of section 38

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41 Removal or exclusion of disability, etc

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42 Interpretation of sections 39 and 41

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meetings and proceedings

43 Meetings and proceedings of local authorities

The provisions of Schedule 7 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the meetings and proceedings of local authorities and their committees.

F144 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Allowances to members of local authorities and other bodies

F145 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F145A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

46 Travelling allowance and subsistence allowance

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below a member of a body to which this section applies shall be entitled to receive payments by way of travelling allowance or subsistence allowance where expenditure on travelling (whether inside or outside the United Kingdom) or, as the case may be, on subsistence is necessarily incurred by him for the purpose of enabling him to perform any approved duty as a member of that body, being payments at rates determined by that body, but not exceeding, in the case of travel [F1or subsistence] for the purpose of an approved duty within the United Kingdom, such rates as may be specified by the Secretary of State.

F2(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

47 Allowances for attending conferences and meetings

(1) The following bodies, that is to say—

(a) F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) [F2any body] to which this section applies and which has power by virtue of any enactment to send representatives to any conference or meeting to which this section applies;

may pay any member of [F3the body] attending any such conference or meeting such [F4allowances in the nature of an attendance allowance and an allowance for travel and subsistence, as they think fit.

(1A) payments made under subsection (1) above shall be of such reasonable amounts as the body in question may determine in a particular case or class of case but shall not exceed—

(a) in the case of payments of an allowance in the nature of an attendance allowance, such amounts as may be specified in or determined under regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

(b) in the case of payments of an allowance in the nature of an allowance for travel and subsistence in respect of a conference or meeting held in the United Kingdom, such amounts as may be specified under section 46 above for the corresponding allowance under that section;

and regulations made by the Secretary of State may make it a condition of any payment mentioned in paragraph (a) above that, in the financial year to which the payment would relate, the aggregate amount which the body in question has paid or is already liable to pay in respect of any prescribed allowance or allowances does not exceed such maximum amount as may be specified in or determined under the regulations.]

(2) Where a body mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above has power under any enactment other than this Act or any instrument under such an enactment to pay expenses incurred in attending a conference or meeting to which this section applies, the amount payable under that enactment or instrument shall not exceed the amount which would be payable in respect of the attendance under that subsection.

(3) F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F6(3A) In relation to any [F7body which is a joint board, joint authority or other combined body all the members of which are representatives of local authorities] this section applies to a conference or meeting held [F8inside or outside the United Kingdom and convened by any person or body (other than a person or body convening it in the course of a trade or business or a body the objects of which are wholly or partly political)] for the purpose of discussing matters which in the body’s opinion relate—

(a) to the functions of the body; or

(b) to any functions of local authorities in which the body has an interest.]

(4) In relation to any other body to which this section applies, F9. . . this section applies to a conference or meeting convened by one or more such bodies or by an association of such bodies.

F10(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48 Payment of expenses of official and courtesy visits, etc

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, a local authority may—

(a) defray any travelling or other expenses [F1receipted and] reasonably incurred by or on behalf of any members in making official and courtesy visits, whether inside or outside the United Kingdom, on behalf of the authority;

(b) defray any expenses incurred in the reception and entertainment by way of official courtesy of distinguished persons visiting the area of the authority and persons representative of or connected with local government or other public services whether inside or outside the United Kingdom and in the supply of information to any such persons.

(2) In the case of a visit within the United Kingdom, the amount defrayed under this section by a local authority in respect of the expenses of any member of the authority in making a visit within the United Kingdom shall not exceed the payments which he would have been entitled to receive by way of [F2any allowances and reimbursement of expenditure by virtue of regulations made under section 11 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004] if the making of the visit had been an approved duty of that member.

49 Provisions supplementary to sections 45 to 48

(1) Sections 45 to 47 of this Act shall apply to the following bodies—

(a) F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) any joint committee of two more local authorities, whether appointed or established under this Act or any other enactment;

(d) any board, joint board, joint authority or other combined body, all the members of which are representatives of local authorities;

(e) any body prescribed for the purposes of those sections and on which any such body as is mentioned in any of the foregoing paragraphs is represented; and

F3(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4(1A) Sections 45 to 47 of this Act shall apply to any local valuation panel or valuation appeal committee but as if the payments referred to in those sections were made by the valuation authority.]

[F5(2) In sections 46 to 48 above “approved duty”, in relation to a member of a body, means such duties as may be specified in or determined under regulations made by the Secretary of State.]

(3) For the purposes of sections 45 to 48 of this Act a member of a committee or sub-committee of a F6. . . body mentioned in subsection (1) above shall be deemed to be a member of that body.

(4) Section 38(4) of this Act shall apply in relation to a member of any body mentioned in subsection (1) above to whom it would not otherwise apply as it applies in relation to a member of a local authority; and no other enactment or instrument shall prevent a member of any such body from taking part in the consideration or determination of any allowance or other payment under any of the provisions of sections 45 to 48 of this Act [F7or under any scheme made by virtue of section 18 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989].

F149A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50 Regulations as to allowances

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations as to the manner in which sections 45 to 48 [F1and 49A] of this Act are to be administered, and in particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, may make regulations—

(a) providing for the avoidance of duplication in payments under those sections, or between payments under any of those sections and any other Act, and for the determination of the body or bodies by whom any payments under those sections are to be made, and, where such payments are to be made by more than one body, for the apportionment between those bodies of the sums payable;

(b) specifying the forms to be used and the particulars to be provided for the purpose of claiming payments under those sections;

(c) providing for the publication by a body to which sections 45 to 47 of this Act apply, in the minutes of that body or otherwise, of details of such payments.

(2) A statutory instrument containing regulations under section 45 [F249 or 49A] of this Act or this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

[F1 Part IIIA Access to Meetings and Documents of Local Authorities, Committees and Sub-Committees

50A Admission to meetings of local authorities

(1) A meeting of a local authority shall be open to the public except to the extent that they are excluded (whether during the whole or part of the proceedings) under subsection (2) below or by resolution under subsection (4) below.

(2) The public shall be excluded from a meeting of a local authority during consideration of an item of business whenever it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that, if members of the public were present during consideration of that item, confidential information would be disclosed to them in breach of the obligation of confidence; and nothing in this Part shall be taken to authorise or require the disclosure of confidential information in breach of the obligation of confidence.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) above, “confidential information” means—

(a) information furnished to the authority by a Government department upon terms (however expressed) which forbid the disclosure of the information to the public; and

(b) information the disclosure of which to the public is prohibited by or under any enactment or by the order of a court;

and, in either case, the reference to the obligation of confidence is to be construed accordingly.

(4) A local authority may by resolution exclude the public from a meeting during consideration of an item of business whenever it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of that item of business there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as defined in section 50J below.

(5) A resolution under subsection (4) above shall—

(a) identify the proceedings, or the part of the proceedings, to which it applies; and

(b) state the description, in terms of Schedule 7A to this Act, of the exempt information giving rise to the exclusion of the public,

and where such a resolution is passed this section shall not require a meeting to be open to the public during proceedings to which the resolution applies.

(6) The following provisions shall apply in relation to a meeting of a local authority, that is to say—

(a) public notice of the time and place of the meeting shall be given by posting it at the offices of the authority three clear days at least before the meeting or, if the meeting is convened at shorter notice, then at the time it is convened;

(b) while the meeting is open to the public, the authority shall not have power to exclude members of the public from the meeting; and

(c) where the meeting is open to the public, duly accredited representatives of newspapers attending the meeting for the purpose of reporting the proceedings for those newspapers shall, so far as practicable, be afforded reasonable facilities for taking their report and, unless the meeting is held in premises not belonging to the authority or not connected to a public [F1electronic communications network, for transmitting the report by means of such a network] at their own expense.

(7) Nothing in this section shall require a local authority to permit the taking of photographs of any proceedings, or the use of any means to enable persons not present to see or hear any proceedings (whether at the time or later), or the making of any oral report on any proceedings as they take place.

(8) This section is without prejudice to any power of exclusion to suppress or prevent disorderly conduct or other misbehaviour at a meeting.

50B Access to agenda and connected reports

(1) Copies of the agenda for a meeting of a local authority and, subject to subsection (2) below, copies of any report for the meeting shall be open to inspection by members of the public at the offices of the authority in accordance with subsection (3) below.

(2) If the proper officer thinks fit, there may be excluded from the copies of reports provided in pursuance of subsection (1) above the whole of any report which, or any part which, relates only to items during consideration of which, in his opinion, the meeting is likely not to be open to the public.

(3) Any document which is required by subsection (1) above to be open to inspection shall be so open at least three clear days before the meeting, except that—

(a) where the meeting is convened at shorter notice, the copies of the agenda and reports shall be open to inspection from the time the meeting is convened, and

(b) where an item is added to an agenda copies of which are open to inspection by the public, copies of the item (or of the revised agenda), and the copies of any report for the meeting relating to the item shall be open to inspection from the time the item is added to the agenda;

but nothing in this subsection or subsection (1) above requires copies of any agenda, item or report to be open to inspection by the public until copies are available to members of the authority.

(4) An item of business may not be considered at a meeting of a local authority unless either—

(a) a copy of the agenda including the item (or a copy of the item) is open to inspection by members of the public in pursuance of subsection (1) above for at least three clear days before the meeting or, where the meeting is convened at shorter notice, from the time the meeting is convened; or

(b) by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the minutes, the [F1convener]of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

(5) Where by virtue of subsection (2) above the whole or any part of a report for a meeting is not open to inspection by the public under subsection (1) above—

(a) every copy of the report or of the part shall be marked “Not for publication”; and

(b) there shall be stated on every copy of the whole or any part of the report the description, in terms of Schedule 7A to this Act, of the exempt information by virtue of which the authority are likely to exclude the public during consideration of the item to which the report relates.

(6) Where a meeting of a local authority is required by section 50A above to be open to the public during the proceedings or any part of them, there shall be made available for the use of members of the public present at the meeting a reasonable number of copies of the agenda and, subject to subsection (8) below, of the reports for the meeting.

(7) There shall, on request and on payment of postage or other necessary charge for transmission, be supplied for the benefit of any newspaper—

(a) a copy of the agenda for a meeting of a local authority and, subject to subsection (8) below, a copy of each of the reports for the meeting;

(b) such further statements or particulars, if any, as are necessary to indicate the nature of the items included in the agenda; and

(c) if the proper officer thinks fit in the case of any item, copies of any other documents supplied to members of the authority in connection with the item.

(8) Subsection (2) above applies in relation to copies of reports provided in pursuance of subsection (6) or (7) above as it applies in relation to copies of reports provided in pursuance of subsection (1) above.

50C Inspection of minutes and other documents after meetings

(1) After a meeting of a local authority the following documents shall be open to inspection by members of the public at the offices of the authority until the expiration of the period of six years beginning with the date of the meeting, namely—

(a) the minutes, or a copy of the minutes, of the meeting, excluding so much of the minutes of the proceedings during which the meeting was not open to the public as discloses exempt information;

(b) where applicable, a summary under subsection (2) below;

(c) a copy of the agenda for the meeting; and

(d) a copy of so much of any report supplied to members of the authority for the meeting as relates to any item during consideration of which the meeting was open to the public.

(2) Where, in consequence of the exclusion of parts of the minutes which disclose exempt information, the document open to inspection under subsection (1)(a) above does not provide members of the public with a reasonably fair and coherent record of the whole or part of the proceedings, the proper officer shall make a written summary of the proceedings or the part, as the case may be, which provides such a record without disclosing the exempt information.

50D Inspection of background papers

(1) Subject, in the case of section 50C(1), to subsection (2) below, if and so long as copies of the whole or part of a report for a meeting of a local authority are required by section 50B(1) or 50C(1) above to be open to inspection by members of the public—

(a) copies of a list, compiled by the proper officer, of the background papers for the report or the part of the report, and

(b) at least one copy of each of the documents included in that list,

shall also be open to such inspection at the offices of the authority.

(2) Subsection (1) above does not require a copy of the list, or of any document included in the list, to be open for inspection after expiration of the period of four years beginning with the date of the meeting.

(3) Where a copy of any of the background papers for a report is required by subsection (1) above to be open to inspection by members of the public, the copy shall be taken for the purposes of this Part to be so open if arrangements exist for its production to members of the public as soon as is reasonably practicable after the making of a request to inspect the copy.

(4) Nothing in this section—

(a) requires any document which discloses exempt information to be included in the list referred to in subsection (1) above; or

(b) without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) of section 50A above, requires or authorises the inclusion in the list of any document which, if open to inspection by the public, would disclose confidential information in breach of the obligation of confidence, within the meaning of that subsection.

(5) For the purposes of this section the background papers for a report are those documents relating to the subject matter of the report which—

(a) disclose any facts or matters on which, in the opinion of the proper officer, the report or an important part of the report is based, and

(b) have, in his opinion, been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report,

but do not include any published works.

50E Application to committees and sub-committees

(1) Sections 50A to 50D above shall apply in relation to—

(a) a committee or sub-committee of a local authority, [F1and]

(b) a committee (not falling within paragraph (a) above) constituted under an enactment specified in section 56(9) below or a sub-committee of such a committtee, [F2and

F2(c) a relevant body, or a committee or sub-committee of such a body,]

as they apply in relation to a local authority.

(2) In the application by virtue of this section of sections 50A to 50D above in relation to a committee [F3, sub-committee or relevant body]—

(a) section 50A(6)(a) shall be taken to have been complied with if the notice is given by posting it at the time there mentioned at the offices of every constituent authority and if the meeting of the committee [F3, sub-committee or relevant body] to which that section so applies is to be held at premises other than the offices of such an authority, at those premises; and

(b) for the purposes of section 50A(6)(c), premises belonging to a constituent authority shall be treated as belonging to the committee [F3, sub-committee or relevant body]; and

(c) for the purposes of sections 50B(1), 50C(1) and 50D(1), offices of any constituent authority shall be treated as offices of the committee [F3, sub-committee or relevant body].

(3) Any reference in subsection (2) above to a constituent authority is a reference to a local authority which (whether alone or with one or more other local authorities) .

[F4(a) in the case of a relevant body or a committee or sub-committee of such a body, appointed the members of the relevant body;

(b) in the case of any other committee, appointed the committee; or

(c) in the case of any other sub-committee, appointed the committee of which that body is a sub-committee.]]

50F Additional rights of access to documents for members of local authorities

(1) Any document which is in the possession or under the control of a local authority and contains material which relates to any business to be transacted or proceedings at a meeting of—

(a) the authority or of a committee or sub-committee of the authority; [F1or]

(b) a statutory committee appointed by the authority, or any sub-committee of that committee, [F2; or

F2(c) a relevant body, any member of which was appointed by the authority, or of a committee or sub-committee of such a body]

shall, subject to subsection (2) below, be open to inspection by any member of the authority and, in the case of a committee [F3, sub-committee or relevant body], by any other member of the committee [F3, sub-committee or relevant body].

(2) Where it appears to the proper officer that a document discloses exempt information of a description for the time being falling within any of paragraphs 1 to 5, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 14 of Part I of Schedule 7A to this Act, subsection (1) above does not require the document to be open to inspection.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (2) above—

(a) by adding to the descriptions of exempt information to which that subsection refers for the time being; or

(b) by removing any description of exempt information to which it refers for the time being.

(4) Any statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(5) The rights conferred by this section on a member of a local authority are in addition to any other rights he may have apart from this section.

50G Local authorities to publish additional information

(1) A local authority shall maintain a register stating—

(a) the name and address of each member of the authority for the time being and the electoral F1. . . ward which he represents; and

(b) the name and address of every member of each committee or sub-committee of the authority for the time being.

(2) A local authority shall maintain a list—

(a) specifying those powers of the authority which, for the time being, are exercisable from time to time by officers of the authority in pursuance of arrangements made under this Act or any other enactment for their discharge by those officers; and

(b) stating the title of the officer by whom each of the powers so specified is for the time being so exercisable;

but this subsection does not require a power to be specified in the list if the arrangements for its discharge by the officer are made for a specified period not exceeding six months.

(3) There shall be kept at the offices of every local authority a written summary of the rights—

(a) to attend meetings of the authority and of committees and sub-committees of the authority, and

(b) to inspect and copy documents and to be furnished with documents,

which are for the time being conferred by this Part, Part XI below and such other enactments as the Secretary of State by order specifies.

(4) The register maintained under subsection (1) above, the list maintained under subsection (2) above and the summary kept under subsection (3) above shall be open to inspection by the public at the offices of the authority.

50H Supplemental provisions and offences

(1) A document directed by any provision of this Part to be open to inspection shall be so open at all reasonable hours—

(a) in the case of a document open to inspection by virtue of section 50D(1) above, upon payment of such reasonable fee as may be required for the facility; and

(b) in any other case, without payment.

(2) Where a document is open to inspection by a person under any provision of this Part, the person may, subject to subsection (3) below—

(a) make copies of or extracts from the document,

(b) require the person having custody of the document to supply to him a photographic copy of or of extracts from the document,

upon payment of such reasonable fee as may be required subject to any provision to the contrary in any other enactment or instrument.

(3) Subsection (2) above does not require or authorise the doing of any act which infringes the copyright in any work except that, where the owner of the copyright is a local authority, nothing done in pursuance of that subsection shall constitute an infringement of the copyright.

(4) If, without reasonable excuse, a person having the custody of a document which is required by section 50B(1) or 50C(1) above to be open to inspection by the public—

(a) intentionally obstructs any person exercising a right conferred by this Part to inspect, or to make a copy of or extract from, the document, or

(b) refuses to furnish copies to any person entitled to obtain them under any provision of this Part,

he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 1 on the standard scale.

(5) Where any accessible document for a meeting to which this subsection applies—

(a) is supplied to, or open to inspection by, a member of the public, or

(b) is supplied for the benefit of any newspaper, in pursuance of section 50B(7) above,

the publication thereby of any defamatory matter contained in the document shall be privileged unless the publication is proved to be made with malice.

(6) Subsection (5) above applies to any meeting of a local authority and any meeting of a committee or sub-committee as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of section 50E(1) above [F1and any meeting of a relevant body or of a committee or sub-committee of such a body]; and for the purposes of that subsection the “accessible documents” for a meeting are the following—

(a) any copy of the agenda or of an item included in the agenda for the meeting;

(b) any such further statements or particulars for the purpose of indicating the nature of any item included in the agenda as are mentioned in section 50B(7)(b) above;

(c) any copy of a document relating to such an item which is supplied for the benefit of a newspaper in pursuance of section 50B(7)(c) above;

(d) any copy of the whole or part of a report for the meeting;

(e) any copy of the whole or part of any background papers for a report for the meeting, within the meaning of section 50D above.

(7) The rights conferred by this Part to inspect, copy and be furnished with documents are in addition, and without prejudice, to any such rights conferred by or under any other enactment.

50J Exempt information

(1) The descriptions of information which are, for the purposes of this Part, exempt information are those for the time being specified in Part I of Schedule 7A to this Act, but subject to any qualifications contained in Part II of that Schedule; and Part III has effect for the interpretation of that Schedule.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order vary Schedule 7A to this Act by adding to it any description or other provision or by deleting from it or varying any description or other provision for the time being specified or contained in it.

(3) Any statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

50K Interpretation and application of Part IIIA

(1) In this Part—

• “copy”, in relation to a document, includes a copy made from a copy;

• “exempt nformation” has the meaning given by section 50J above;

• “information” includes an expression of opinion, any recommendations and any decision taken;

• “newspaper” includes—

  (a)

  a news agency which systematically carries on the business of selling and supplying reports or information to newspapers; and

  (b)

  any organisation which is systematically engaged in collecting news—

  (b)

  (i)

  for sound or television broadcasts; or

  (ii)

  for programmes to be included in a cable programme service which is or does not require to be licensed.

• [F1“relevant body” means–

  (a)

  a joint board; or

  (b)

  the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.]

(2) References in this Part to a committee or sub-committee, in relation to a local authority, shall be construed in accordance with the following provisions—

(a) references to a committee of a local authority are references to a committee appointed under section 57 below by the authority or by two or more local authorities of which one is that authority and references to a sub-committee of a local authority are references to a sub-committee appointed by such a committee under that section; and

(b) references to a statutory committee appointed by a local authority are references to a committee constituted under an enactment specified in section 56(9) below other than a committee constituted under [F2either of the enactments] specified in paragraph (d) of that section and appointed by the authority or by two or more local authorities of which that authority is one and references to a sub-committee of such a statutory committee shall be construed accordingly.

(3) Any reference in this Part to a meeting is a reference to a meeting commenced after the 1st April 1986.

Part IV Community Councils

51 Establishment and general purpose of community councils

(1) Every local authority F1. . . shall, before 16th May 1976, or such later date as may be agreed by the Secretary of State, submit to the Secretary of State, in accordance with the provisions of this Part of this Act, a scheme for the establishment of community councils for their area.

(2) In addition to any other purpose which a community council may pursue, the general purpose of a community council shall be to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the local authorities for its area, and to public authorities, the views of the community which it represents, in relation to matters for which those authorities are responsible, and to take such action in the interests of that community as appears to it to be expedient and practicable.

F2(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52 Schemes

(1) Every local authority shall give public notice of their intention to frame a scheme for the establishment of community councils, and any such notice shall invite the public, within a period of not less than eight weeks from the date of the notice, to make suggestions as to the areas and composition of the community councils.

(2) After considering suggestions made under subsection (1) above, the local authority shall prepare and give public notice of a draft scheme which shall contain—

(a) a map showing the boundaries of the proposed areas of community councils and their populations, and the boundaries of any area for which the local authority consider a community council to be unnecessary;

(b) where a local authority consider that a community council is unnecessary for any area, a statement of their reasons for arriving at this conclusion;

(c) provisions relating to qualifications of electors, elections or other voting arrangements, composition, meetings, financing and accounts of community councils;

(d) provisions concerning the procedures to be adopted by which the community councils on the one hand and the local and public authorities with responsibilities in the areas of the community councils on the other will keep each other informed on matters of mutual interest; and

(e) such other information as, in the opinion of the local authority, would help the public to make a reasonable appraisal of the scheme.

(3) The notice mentioned in subsection (2) above shall invite the public, within a period of not less than eight weeks from the date of the notice, to make to the local authority representations as respects the draft scheme.

(4) After considering any representations made under subsection (3) above, the local authority may amend the draft scheme to take account of those representations and shall submit the scheme to the Secretary of State for his approval along with any outstanding representations and their comments upon them.

(5) The Secretary of State, after holding, if he thinks fit, a local inquiry in relation to the whole scheme or any part thereof, may approve, with or without modifications, a scheme submitted to him under subsection (4) above, or may refer the scheme back, in whole or in part, for further consideration by the local authority concerned.

(6) After the Secretary of State has approved a scheme, the local authority shall give public notice of the scheme in its approved form together with public notice of such a scheme as it applies to each proposed area, by exhibition in that area, and any such notice shall contain an invitation to electors in the area concerned to apply in writing to the local authority for the establishment of a community council in accordance with the scheme.

(7) Where not less than 20 electors apply as mentioned in subsection (6) above, the local authority shall, within not more than six weeks from the date of the application, organise, in accordance with the scheme, elections or other voting arrangements for the purpose of establishing the community council.

53 Amendment of schemes

(1) Having regard to changing circumstances and to any representations made to them, every local authority shall from time to time review schemes made and approved under section 52 of this Act and, where they consider that such a scheme ought to be amended, they shall give public notice of their proposals, inviting any community council concerned and the public to make to the local authority representations as respects the proposals.

[F1(2) The local authority shall consider any representations made under subsection (1) above and may amend the scheme in accordance with—

(a) the notified proposals; or

(b) those proposals as amended to take account of any such representations:

Provided that the scheme shall not be amended under paragraph (b) of this subsection unless public notice of the amendments to the proposals has been given with a further invitation to make representations under subsection (1) above.

(3) A decision of the local authority—

(a) to review, under subsection (1) above; or

(b) to amend, under subsection (2) above,

a scheme, shall be by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the members voting thereon at a local authority meeting specially convened for the purpose with notice of the object.]

F2(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55 Assistance to community councils

F1. . . [F2councils for local government areas] may make such contributions as they think fit towards the expenses of community councils within their areas, may make loans to those councils and may, at the request of such community councils, provide them with staff, services, accommodation, furniture, vehicles and equipment, on such terms as to payment or otherwise as may be agreed between the councils concerned.

Part V Internal Organisation

Discharge of functions

56 Arrangements for discharge of functions by local authorities

(1) Subject to any express provision contained in this Act or any Act passed after this Act, a local authority may arrange for the discharge of any of their functions by a committee of the authority, a sub-committee, an officer of the authority or by any other local authority in Scotland.

[F1(2) Where by virtue of this section any function of a local authority may be discharged by any committee or sub-committee of theirs, then, unless the local authority otherwise direct—

(a) the committee may arrange for the discharge of any of those functions by a sub-committee or an officer of the authority; and

(b) the sub-committee, whether assigned the discharge of functions by the authority or by a committee, may arrange for the discharge of any such functions by an officer of the authority.]

(3) Where by virtue of this section any functions of a local authority may be discharged by another local authority, subsections (1) and (2) above shall apply in relation to those functions as they apply in relation to the functions of that other authority, except that—

(a) the foregoing provision shall have effect subject to the terms of the arrangement relating to the functions; and

(b) that other authority shall not, by virtue of this subsection, arrange for the discharge of those functions by some other local authority.

(4) Any arrangement made by a local authority or committee under this section for the discharge of any functions by a committee, sub-committee, officer or local authority shall not prevent the authority or committee by whom the arrangement is made from exercising those functions.

(5) Two or more local authorities may discharge any of their functions jointly and, where arrangements are in force for them to do so,—

(a) they may also arrange for the discharge of those functions by a joint committee of theirs or by an officer of one of them, and subsection (2) above shall apply in relation to those functions as it applies in relation to the functions of the individual authorities; and

(b) any enactment relating to those functions or the authorities by whom or the areas in respect of which they are to be discharged shall have effect subject to all necessary modifications in its application in relation to those functions and the authorities by whom and the areas in respect of which (whether in pursuance of the arrangements or otherwise) they are to be discharged.

[F2(6) A local authority’s functions with respect to—

F3(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) setting an amount of council tax in accordance with section 93(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, or setting a reduced amount of council tax under section 94 of that Act or paragraph 3 of Schedule 7 to that Act;

F3(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) borrowing money,

shall be discharged only by the authority.]

[F4(6A) A local authority's function of determining an application for planning permission for a development of a class mentioned in section 38A(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (c. 8) shall be discharged only by the authority.]

(7) A local authority shall not make arrangements under this section for the discharge of any of their functions under [F5the M1Animal Health Act 1981] by any other local authority.

(8) Any enactment, except one mentioned in subsection (9) below, which contains any provision—

(a) which empowers or requires local authorities or any class of local authorities to establish committees (including joint committees) for any purpose or enables a Minister to make an instrument establishing committees of local authorities for any purpose, or empowering or requiring a local authority or any class of local authorities to establish committees for any purpose; or

(b) which empowers or requires local authorities or any class of local authorities to arrange or to join with other authorities in arranging for the exercise by committees so established or by officers of theirs of any of their functions or provides that any specified functions of theirs shall be discharged by such committees or officers, or enables any Minister to make an instrument conferring such a power, imposing such a requirement or containing such a provision;

shall, to the extent that it makes any such provision, cease to have effect.

(9) The following enactments are exempted from subsection (8) above—

(a) F6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) sections 19, 20, [F7and 21] of the M2Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (amalgamation schemes);

F8(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F9(d) paragraphs 3 and 8 of Schedule 1 to the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (Children’s Panel Advisory Committees and joint advisory committees);]

(e) section 7 of the M3Superannuation Act 1972 (superannuation of persons employed in local government service, etc.);

(f) section 9 of the said Act of 1972 (superannuation of teachers).

(10) This section shall not authorise a local authority to arrange for the discharge by any committee, sub-committee or local authority of any functions which, by any enactment mention in subsection (9) above, are required or authorised to be discharged by a specified committee, but the foregoing provision shall not prevent a local authority who are required by or under any such enactment to establish, or delegate functions to, a committee established by or under any such enactment from arranging under this section for the discharge of their functions by an officer of the local authority or committee, as the case may be.

F10(11)–(13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(14) References in this section and section 57 below to the discharge of any of the functions of a local authority include references to the doing of anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any of those functions.

(15) Nothing in this section affects the operation of the M4Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970.

57 Appointment of committees

(1) For the purpose of discharging any functions of a local authority in pursuance of arrangements made under section 56 of this Act—

(a) the authority may appoint a committee of the authority; or

(b) two or more local authorities may appoint a joint committee of those authorities; or

(c) any such committee may appoint one or more sub-committees.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, the number of members of a committee appointed under subsection (1) above, their term of office, and the area (if restricted) within which the committee are to exercise their authority, shall be fixed by the appointing authority or authorities or, in the case of a sub-committee, by the appointing committee.

(3) A committee appointed under subsection (1) above, other than a committee for regulating and controlling the finance of the local authority or of their area may, subject to section 59 below, include persons who are not members of the appointing authority or authorities or, in the case of a sub-committee, the authority or authorities of whom they are a sub-committee, [F1but at least two-thirds of the members appointed to any such committee (other than a sub-committee) shall be members of that authority or those authorities, as the case may be.]

(4) A local authority may appoint a committee, and two or more local authorities may join in appointing a committee, to advise the appointing authority or authorities on any matter relating to the discharge of their functions, and any such committee—

(a) may consist of such persons (whether members of the appointing authority or authorities or not) appointed for such term as may be determined by the appointing authority or authorities; and

(b) may appoint one or more sub-committees to advise the committee with respect to any such matter.

(5) Every member of a committee appointed under this section who at the time of his appointment was a member of the appointing authority or one of the appointing authorities shall, upon ceasing to be a member of that authority, also cease to be a member of the committee; but for the purposes of this section a member of a local authority shall not be deemed to have ceased to be a member of the authority by reason of retirement if he has been re-elected a member thereof not later than the day of his retirement.

58 Expenses of joint committees

The expenses incurred by a joint committee appointed under this Part of this Act or any other enactment shall be defrayed by the appointing local authorities in such proportions as they may agree or, in the case of disagreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.

59 Disqualification for membership of committees and joint committees

(1) Subject to section 126 of this Act, a person who is disqualified under Part III of this Act for being elected or being a member of a local authority shall be disqualified for being a member of a committee (including a sub-committee) of that authority, or being a representative of that authority on a joint committee of the authority and another local authority, whether the committee or joint committee are appointed under this Act or under any other enactment.

(2) Section 32 of this Act shall, so far as applicable, apply with respect to membership of or a claim to be entitled to act as a member of a committee or sub-committee of a local authority or of a joint committee appointed by local authorities as it applies to membership of or claims to be entitled to act as a member of a local authority.

60 Disability for voting on account of interests in contracts, etc

F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

61 Membership of bodies to cease on ceasing to be member of authority

Where a local authority by virtue of any enactment of instrument or otherwise appoint a member of the authority to be a member of any court or body, then, unless otherwise specifically provided in the enactment or instrument regulating the constitution of the court or body, the person so appointed shall cease to be a member of the court or body on ceasing to be a member of the authority.

62 Standing orders, etc

A local authority appointing a committee, and local authorities appointing a joint committee, either under this Act or under any other enactment, may make, vary or revoke standing orders respecting the quorum, proceedings and place of meeting of the committee, joint committee or any sub-committee of any such committee, but, subject to any such standing orders, the quorum, proceedings and place of meeting shall be such as the committee, joint committee or sub-committee may determine.

[F162A Incorporation of joint committees

(1) Where—

(a) arrangements are made (whether under this Act or any other enactment) for two or more local authorities (in this Part of this Act referred to as “the relevant authorities”) to discharge any of their functions, or any functions in any area, jointly;

(b) the relevant authorities have—

(i) appointed, or propose to appoint, a joint committee to discharge those functions; and

(ii) advertised their proposals in accordance with subsection (2) below; and

(c) application is made, in writing, to the Secretary of State by the relevant authorities for the incorporation of that joint committee (or proposed joint committee) as a joint board to carry out those functions,

the Secretary of State may by order establish a joint board in accordance with this section to discharge those functions.

(2) Before applying to the Secretary of State under subsection (1)(c) above, the relevant authorities shall place in at least one daily newspaper circulating in their areas an advertisement—

(a) giving brief details of what they propose to do;

(b) giving an address to which representations about the proposal may be sent; and

(c) fixing a date, being not less than 8 weeks after the date on which the advertisement appears, within which representations may be made,

and they shall include with their application evidence that an advertisement has been placed.

(3) Where any representations are timeously made in response to an advertisement placed in accordance with subsection (2) above, the relevant authorities shall consider them and shall include with their application a statement that they have done so.

(4) An order under subsection (1) above shall delegate to the joint board such of the functions of the relevant authorities as may be specified in the order and may include provision with respect to—

(a) the constitution and proceedings of the joint board;

(b) matters relating to the membership of the joint board;

(c) the transfer to the joint board of any property, rights and liabilities of the relevant authorities;

(d) the transfer to the joint board of any staff of the relevant authorities;

(e) the supply of services or facilities by the relevant authorities to the joint board,

and may, without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (a) to (e) above, apply (with or without modifications) any of the provisions of Part V of this Act to a joint board as those provisions apply to a joint committee.

(5) A joint board established under this section shall be a body corporate and shall have a common seal.

(6) An order under subsection (1) above shall be in terms agreed by the relevant authorities.

(7) An instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

F162B Power of Secretary of State to establish joint boards

(1) Where the Secretary of State considers—

(a) that any functions, or any functions in any area, of the relevant authorities should be discharged jointly by those authorities; and

(b) that arrangements, or satisfactory arrangements, for the joint discharge of those functions—

(i) have not been made by the relevant authorities; or

(ii) have ceased to be in operation,

he may, after consulting the relevant authorities, by order establish a joint board in accordance with this section.

(2) Subsections (4) and (5) of section 62A of this Act shall apply to a joint board established under this section as they apply to a joint board established under that section with the substitution of a reference to subsection (1) of this section for the reference to subsection (1) of that section.

(3) No order shall be made under subsection (1) above unless a draft of the instrument containing the order has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, each House of Parliament.

F162C Further provisions relating to joint boards

(1) Where a joint board has been established by order under section 62A or 62B of this Act, the Secretary of State may by order provide—

(a) for excluding any functions, or any functions in any area, from those specified in the order establishing that joint board; and

(b) for the dissolution of the joint board.

(2) An order shall not be made under subsection (1) above unless the Secretary of State has consulted the relevant authorities.

(3) An instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(4) The power to make an order under this section or section 62A or 62B of this Act shall include power to make such transitional, incidental, supplemental or consequential provision as the Secretary of State thinks necessary or expedient.

(5) An order under this section or section 62A or 62B of this Act may, for the purpose of making such provision as is mentioned in subsection (4) above—

(a) apply with or without modifications;

(b) extend, exclude or amend; or

(c) repeal or revoke with or without savings,

any enactment or any instrument made under any enactment.]

63 Application of foregoing provisions of Part V to police authorities and joint police committees

(1) Subsections (2) to (4) below shall have effect for the purposes of the application of the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act to a local authority in relation to their functions as a police authority

(2) A police authority may not arrange under section 56(1) of this Act for the discharge of any of their functions by another police authority F1. . ..

[F2(2A) The officers who may discharge functions of a police authority in pursuance of arrangements under section 56(1) or (2) of this Act shall include the chief constable of the police force.

(2B) Where, pursuant to arrangements made by virtue of subsection (2A) above, a chief constable may discharge functions of a police authority, he may himself arrange for the discharge of any of the functions in question by a constable of the police force or by a person who is employed by the authority but is not under their direction and control.]

(3) The following provisions of this Part of this Act shall not apply to a police authority—

(a) in section 56, subsections (3), (5) and (10),

(b) section 57(1)(b).

[F3(c) sections 62A to 62C.]

(4) Section 62 of this Act shall not apply in a case where a [F4joint police board] are constituted by or under an amalgamation scheme made under Part I of the M1Police (Scotland) Act 1967.

(5) Subsections (1) and (2) of section 56 of this Act shall apply to a [F4joint police board] as they apply to a local authority except that—

(a) they may not arrange for the discharge of any of their functions by another [F4joint police board] or a police authority F5. . ., or

(b) if the function relates to part only of the combined area in respect of which the [F6board] are exercising functions, they may not arrange for the discharge of that function by any other person.

[F163A Sections 62A to 62C not to apply to fire authority

Sections 62A to 62C of this Act shall not apply to a local authority in relation to their functions as a fire [F2and rescue] authority.]

Staff

64 Appointment etc. of staff

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a local authority shall appoint such officers as they think necessary for the proper discharge by the authority of their functions and the carrying out of any obligations incurred by them in connection with an agreement made by them in pursuance of section 65 of this Act.

(2) An officer appointed under subsection (1) above shall hold office on such reasonable terms and conditions, including conditions as to remuneration, as the authority appointing him think fit.

(3) Where an action has been brought against an officer of a local authority in respect of an act done by him in the execution or purported execution of any enactment and the circumstances are such that he is not legally entitled to require the authority to indemnify him, the authority may nevertheless indemnify him against the whole or a part of any damages or expenses which he may have been ordered to pay or may have incurred if they are satisfied that he honestly believed that the act complained of was within the scope of his employment and that his duty under the enactment required or entitled him to do it.

(4) Any enactment, except one mentioned in subsection (5) below, which requires or empowers local authorities or any class of local authorities to appoint a specified officer shall, to the extent that it makes any such provision, cease to have effect.

(5) The following enactments are excepted from subsection (4) above—

(a) F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F3(bb) section 32 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13);]

F4(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F5(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(e) section 3 of the M1Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 ([F6chief social work officers]);

F4(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g) section 67(3)(b) of the M2Agriculture Act 1970 (agricultural analysts and deputies).

(6) Nothing in this section affects the operation of section 7 of the M3Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 (registrars) or the operation of the M4Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970.

(7) Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) above affects the operation of section 9 of the M5Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (employees other than constables).

65 Placing of staff of local authorities at disposal of other local authorities

(1) Without prejudice to any powers exercisable apart from this section, a local authority may enter into an agreement with another local authority for the placing at the disposal of the latter for the purposes of their functions, on such terms as may be provided by the agreement, of the services of officers employed by the former, but shall not enter into any such agreement with respect to any officer without consulting him.

(2) For superannuation purposes, service rendered by an officer of a local authority whose services are placed at the disposal of another local authority in pursuance of this section is service rendered to the authority by whom he is employed, but any such officer shall be treated for the purposes of any enactment relating to the discharge of local authorities’ functions as an officer of that other local authority.

66 Security to be taken in relation to officers

(1) A local authority shall, in the case of an officer employed by them, whether under this or any other enactment, who by reason of his office or employment is likely to be entrusted with the custody or control of money, and may, in the case of any other officer employed by them, take such security for his duly accounting for all money or property which may be entrusted to him, as the local authority consider sufficient.

(2) A local authority may, in the case of a person not employed by them but who is likely to be entrusted with the custody or control of money or property belonging to the local authority, take such security as they think sufficient for the person duly accounting for all such money or property.

(3) A local authority shall defray the cost of any security taken under this section, and every such security shall be produced to the auditor at the audit of the accounts of the local authority.

[F167 Members of local authorities not to be appointed as officers etc

(1) A person who is a member of a local authority is disqualified from being appointed by the authority to any paid office or employment (other than the office of convener or depute convener) or other place of profit in the gift or disposal of the authority.

(2) A person who has ceased to be a member of a local authority is disqualified—

(a) for a period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the person ceased to be a member of a local authority from being appointed by the authority to any such office, employment or place of profit which is not a politically restricted post;

(b) for a period of 12 months beginning with that day from being appointed by the authority to any such office, employment or place of profit which is a politically restricted post.

(3) A person who—

(a) has ceased to be a member of a local authority; and

(b) at any time during the period of 12 months ending with the day on which the person so ceased, participated directly in the appointing of any person to a politically restricted post,

is, for the period of 12 months beginning on that day, disqualified from being appointed by the authority to any paid office or employment or other place of profit in the gift or disposal of the authority.

(4) A reference to a politically restricted post is—

(a) in subsection (2) above, a reference to a post held by a person who is within any of paragraphs (a) to (g) of subsection (1) of section 2 (politically restricted posts the holders of which are disqualified from membership of the local authority) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42);

(b) in subsection (3) above, a reference to a post held by a person who is within any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of that subsection.]

68 Disclosure by officers of interest in contracts

(1) If it comes to the knowledge of an officer employed whether under this Act or any other enactment, by a local authority that a contract in which he has any pecuniary interest, whether direct or indirect (not being a contract to which he is himself a party), has been, or is proposed to be, entered into by the authority or any committee thereof, he shall, as soon as practicable, give notice in writing to the authority of the fact that he is interested therein.

For the purposes of this section, an officer shall be treated as having indirectly a pecuniary interest in a contract or proposed contract if he would have been so treated by virtue of section 39 of this Act had he been a member of the authority.

(2) An officer of a local authority shall not, under colour of his office or employment, accept any fee or reward whatsoever other than his proper remuneration.

(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) or (2) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F1level 4 on the standard scale].

(4) References in this section to a local authority shall include references to a joint committee appointed under section 57 of this Act or any other enactment.

Part VI Miscellaneous Powers of Local Authorities

Subsidiary powers

69 Subsidiary powers of local authorities

(1) Without prejudice to any powers exercisable apart from this section but subject to the provisions of this Act and any other enactment passed before or after this Act, a local authority shall have power to do any thing (whether or not involving the expenditure, borrowing or lending of money or the acquisition or disposal of any property or rights) which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any of their functions.

(2) A local authority shall not by virtue of this section raise money, whether by means of rates or borrowing, or lend money except in accordance with the enactments relating to those matters respectively.

(3) Without prejudice to section 53 of the M1Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 (contributions by or to local authorities), two or more local authorities may make arrangements for defraying any expenditure incurred by one of them in exercising any functions exercisable by both or all of them.

F1(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Land transactions

70 Acquisition of land by agreement

(1) For the purposes of—

(a) any of their functions under this or any other enactment, or

(b) the benefit, improvement or development of their area,

a local authority may acquire by agreement any land, whether situated inside or outside their area.

(2) A local authority may acquire by agreement any land for any purpose for which they are authorised by this or any other enactment to acquire land, notwithstanding that the land is not immediately required for that purpose; and, until it is required for the purpose for which it was acquired, any land acquired under this subsection may be used for the purpose of any of the authority’s functions.

(3) For the purpose of the purchase of land by agreement by a local authority, the Lands Clauses Acts (except so much thereof as relates to the acquisition of land otherwise than by agreement, and the provisions relating to access to the special Act, and except sections 120 to 125 of the M1Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845), and section 6 and sections 70 to 78 of the M2Railways Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845 (as originally enacted and not as amended by section 15 of the M3Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1923) are hereby incorporated with this section, and, in construing those Acts for the purposes of this section, this section shall be deemed to be the special Act and the local authority shall be deemed to be the promoters of the undertaking or company, as the case may require.

(4) Where two or more local authorities acting together would have power to acquire any land by agreement by virtue of this section, nothing in any enactment shall prevent one of those authorities from so acquiring the land on behalf of both or all of them in accordance with arrangements made between them, including arrangements as to the subsequent occupation and use of the land.

(5) References in the foregoing provisions of this section to acquisition are references to acquisition by purchase, feu, lease or excambion.

71 Acquisition of land compulsorily

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, for the purposes of any of their functions under this or any other enactment, a local authority may be authorised by the Minister concerned with the function in question to purchase compulsorily any land, whether situated inside or outside their area.

(2) A local authority may not be authorised under subsection (1) above to purchase land compulsorily for any purpose in relation to which their power of acquisition is by any enactment expressly limited to acquisition by agreement.

(3) Where one or more local authorities propose, in exercise of the power conferred by subsection (1) above, to acquire any land for more than one purpose, the Minister or Ministers whose authorisation is required for the exercise of that power shall not be concerned to make any apportionment between those purposes nor, where there is more than one local authority, between those authorities, and—

(a) the purposes shall be treated as a single purpose and the compulsory acquisition shall be treated as requiring the authorisation of the Minister, or the joint authorisation of the Ministers, concerned with those purposes; and

(b) where there is more than one local authority concerned, the authorities may nominate one of them to acquire the land on behalf of them all and the authority so nominated shall accordingly be treated as the acquiring authority for the purposes of any enactment relating to the acquisition.

(4) The M1Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) (Scotland) Act 1947 shall apply in relation to the compulsory purchase of land in pursuance of subsection (1) above as if that subsection were contained in an Act in force immediately before the commencement of that Act.

72 Title to land

The title to all land acquired by a local authority shall be taken in the corporate name of the authority.

73 Appropriation of land

(1) Subject to Part II of the M1Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1959 and to the following provisions of this section, a local authority may appropriate for the purpose of any function, whether statutory or otherwise, land vested in them for the purpose of any other such function.

(2) A local authority may not exercise their power of appropriation under subsection (1) above with respect to any land specified in subsection [F1(3)] below except with the consent of the Secretary of State.

(3) The land to which subsection (2) above applies is [F2land which] is held for use as allotments.

74 Disposal of land

(1) Subject to Part II of the M1Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1959 and to subsection (2) below, a local authority may dispose of land held by them in any manner they wish.

(2) Except [F1in accordance with regulations under subsection (2C) below,] , a local authority shall not dispose of land under subsection (1) above for a consideration less than the best that can reasonably be obtained.

[F2 (2A) Subsection (2) does not extend to a disposal where—

(a) the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained is less than the threshold amount; or

(b) the difference between that consideration and the proposed consideration is less than the marginal amount.

(2B) The Scottish Ministers shall, by regulations, fix the threshold amount and the marginal amount for the purposes of subsection (2A) above.

(2C) The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations, provide as to the circumstances in which and procedure by which local authorities may, under this section, dispose of land for a consideration less than the best that can reasonably be obtained.

(2D) Those regulations may include provision—

(a) requiring a local authority proposing to dispose of land at less than the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained to appraise and compare the costs and other disbenefits and the benefits of the proposal;

(b) requiring the local authority, before deciding in favour of the proposal, to be satisfied that so deciding would be reasonable; and

(c) setting out factors to which the local authority must have regard when considering whether its decision would be reasonable.

(2E) References in this section to the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained by a local authority are references to that consideration as assessed by a suitably qualified valuer.

(2F) In appointing and instructing a suitably qualified valuer for the purposes of subsection (2E) above, the local authority shall have regard to any guidance provided by the Scottish Ministers on—

(a) what are suitable qualifications;

(b) what factors are to be or not to be taken into account by the valuer in assessing the consideration referred to in that subsection.

(2G) Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament.

(2H) Before making such regulations, the Scottish Ministers shall consult such associations of local authorities and such other persons as they think fit.]

F3(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

74A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1

75 Disposal, etc., of land forming part of the common good

(1) The provisions of this Part of this Act with respect to the appropriation or disposal of land belonging to a local authority shall apply in the case of land forming part of the common good of an authority with respect to which land no question arises as to the right of the authority to alienate.

(2) Where a local authority desire to dispose of land forming part of the common good with respect to which land a question arises as to the right of the authority to alienate, they may apply to the Court of Session or the sheriff to authorise them to dispose of the land, and the Court or sheriff may, if they think fit, authorise the authority to dispose of the land subject to such conditions, if any, as they may impose, and the authority shall be entitled to dispose of the land accordingly.

(3) The Court of Session or sheriff acting under subsection (2)

above may impose a condition requiring that the local authority shall provide in substitution for the land proposed to be disposed of other land to be used for the same purpose for which the former land was used.

76 Special provisions as to land acquired for public recreation from heir of entail

Where an heir of entail in possession of land disposes of land to a local authority for the purpose of public recreation under the provisions of this Act or any other enactment (not being land within a quarter of a mile of the mansion house in the natural possession of the heir of entail or part of any garden, orchard or enclosure adjacent to the mansion house which has usually been in the natural possession of the proprietor) and such land does not exceed in all twenty acres, and where the persons in right of heritable securities or other charges affecting such land refuse to consent to such disposal, such lands shall be disburdened of the said heritable securities and charges if the sheriff, upon the application of the heir of entail in possession duly intimated to the said persons who shall be entitled to appear and object, finds that the lands comprised in the heritable securities or charges other than the land being acquired by the local authority afford adequate security.

77 Payment of purchase or compensation money by one local authority to another

Any purchase money or compensation payable in pursuance of this Part of this Act by a local authority in respect of land acquired from another local authority which would but for this section be required to be paid into court in manner provided by the Lands Clauses Acts may, if the Minister concerned with the purpose for which the land was held by the last mentioned authority consents, instead of being paid into court, be paid and applied as that Minister may determine, and the decision of that Minister shall be final.

Buildings, contracts, etc

78 Power to erect buildings, etc

(1) Subject to subsection (2)below and section 94 of this Act, a local authority may, for the purpose of any of their functions or for the benefit or improvement of their area, erect buildings or execute any other works on any land belonging to them or, where they are satisfied that the terms of the lease of land are such as to make it prudent for them to do so, on land leased by them, or convert, alter, enlarge or improve any existing building or other works belonging to them or, where they consider it prudent, any existing building or other works let to them.

(2) Subsection (1)above shall not of itself authorise a local authority to do anything contrary to the conditions contained in the title to or lease of any such land or building or other works or authorise land held for one purpose to be used for another purpose.

79 Provision of offices, etc

A local authority may acquire or provide and furnish and maintain halls, offices and other buildings, whether within or without the area of the authority, to be used for the purpose of transacting the business of the authority or the business of any other body for which the authority are required or authorised by or under any enactment to provide accommodation, or for the purpose of public meetings or assemblies.

80 Interpretation of “functions”

For the purposes of the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act, the functions of a local authority shall be deemed to include the provision of accommodation for any committee, court or other body which the authority are required or authorised to provide, notwithstanding that the committee, court or body may exercise functions not vested in the authority.

81 Contracts of local authorities

(1) A local authority may make standing orders with respect to the making of contracts by them or on their behalf.

(2) A local authority shall make standing orders with respect to the making by them or on their behalf of contracts for the supply of goods or materials or for the execution of works.

(3) Standing orders made by a local authority with respect to contracts for the supply of goods or materials or for the execution of works shall include provision for securing competition for such contracts and for regulating the manner in which tenders are invited, but may exempt from any such provision contracts for a price below that specified in standing orders and may authorise the authority to exempt any contract from any such provision when the authority are satisfied that the exemption is justified by special circumstances.

(4) A person entering into a contract with a local authority shall not be bound to inquire whether the standing orders of the authority which apply to the contract have been complied with, and non-compliance with such orders shall not invalidate any contract entered into by or on behalf of the authority.

(5) In this section the expression “contracts” includes, in relation to the execution of works, arrangements for the execution of those works by persons employed by the local authority.

Private legislation

82 Power of local authority to promote or oppose private legislation

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, where a local authority are satisfied that it is expedient to promote or oppose any private legislation F1. . ., the local authority may, in accordance with the procedure provided by this section, promote or oppose the same accordingly and may defray the expenses incurred in relation thereto.

(2) A resolution of a local authority to promote or oppose private legislation under subsection (1) above shall be—

(a) passed by a majority of the whole number of the members of the authority at a meeting of the authority held after ten clear days’ notice of the meeting and of its purpose has been given by advertisement in one or more newspapers circulating in the area of the authority, such notice being given in addition to the ordinary notice required to be given for the convening of a meeting of the authority; and

(b) in the case of the promotion of private legislation, confirmed by a like majority at a further such meeting convened in accordance with paragraph (a) above and held as soon as may be after the expiration of fourteen days after

[F2(i)] the draft of the provisional order has been submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 1936 [F2 ; or

(ii) the Bill has been introduced in the Scottish Parliament]

and, if the resolution is not confirmed, the local authority shall take all necessary steps to withdraw the same.

(3) Where under section 2 of the Act of 1936, the Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords and the Chairman of Ways and Means in the House of Commons are of opinion that provisions contained in a draft provisional order ought to be dealt with by private Bill and not by provisional order, the determination of the Chairmen shall forthwith be reported to the local authority concerned, and unless the authority resolve to proceed with the promotion of a private Bill dealing with the matters to which the said provisions relate or any of them, such a private Bill shall not be promoted, but if such a private Bill is to be promoted, the proceedings of the authority with respect to the promotion of a provisional order under this section shall be deemed to apply to the promotion of such a Bill.

(4) In ascertaining for the purpose of this section the whole number of members of a local authority, no account shall be taken of any vacancy which may at the time exist in the membership of the authority.

(5) No payment shall be made by a local authority to a member of the authority for acting as counsel or agent in promoting or opposing private legislation under this section.

(6) Nothing in this section shall affect the right of any local authority connected with the locality to which any draft provisional order referred to Commissioners under the Act of 1936 relates to make a report to the Commissioners respecting the provisions of the draft order.

(7) In this section—

• “Act of 1936” means the M1Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936;

• “provisional order” means a provisional order under the Act of 1936;

[F3 [F3“private legislation” includes–

(a) a provisional order and the confirmation Bill relating thereto under the Act of 1936;

(b) any local or personal Bill in Parliament; and

(c) any private Bill in the Scottish Parliament.]]

Miscellaneous

83 Power of local authorities to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised

(1) F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2(2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F2