Law

Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994

United Kingdom · statute

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In force since 2023-04-01, as the publisher states.

Copy read on 2026-11-08. The page it was read from

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.

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Contents: 202 provisions
  1. Title and introductory text
  2. 1 Local government areas in Scotland.
  3. 2 Constitution of councils.
  4. 3 Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles.
  5. 4 Convener and depute convener.
  6. 5 Elections and term of office of councillors.
  7. 6 Date of elections.
  8. 7 Establishment of new local authorities and supplementary provisions.
  9. 8 Transfer of employees.
  10. 9 Effect of section 8 on contracts of employment.
  11. 10 Continuity of employment.
  12. 11 Remuneration of employees of local authorities.
  13. 12 Staff commission.
  14. 13 Compensation for loss of office or diminution of emoluments.
  15. 14 Employment by new authorities.
  16. 15 Transfer of property.
  17. 16 Property held on trust.
  18. 17 Educational endowments.
  19. 18 Residuary bodies.
  20. 19 Property commission.
  21. 20 Joint committees and joint boards.
  22. 21 Application of section 211 of the 1973 Act to joint boards.
  23. 22 Community councils.
  24. 23 Duty to prepare decentralisation schemes.
  25. 24 Transitional provisions: finance.
  26. 25 Financing of new authorities prior to 1st April 1996.
  27. 26 Valuation lists.
  28. 27 Valuation areas and authorities and appointment of assessors etc.
  29. 28 Valuation rolls.
  30. 29 Valuation appeal panels and committees.
  31. 30 Rating authorities.
  32. 31 Education.
  33. 32 Co-operation between education authorities.
  34. 33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  35. 34 Reorganisation of police areas.
  36. 35 Amalgamation schemes.
  37. 36 Fire services.
  38. 37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  39. 38 Roads.
  40. 39 Roads authority for boundary bridges.
  41. 40 Establishment etc. of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.
  42. 41 Amendment of section 13 of Transport Act 1968.
  43. 42 Power to secure management of traffic control system.
  44. 43 Guidance as to exercise of traffic powers.
  45. 44 Restriction on order-making powers of existing authorities.
  46. 45 Chief social work officer.
  47. 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  48. 47 Proceedings in district courts: transitional provisions.
  49. 48 Amendment of District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975.
  50. 49 Justices of the peace.
  51. 50 Stipendiary magistrates.
  52. 51 Registration of births, deaths and marriages.
  53. 52 Tweed Fisheries Commissioners.
  54. 53 Records held by local authorities.
  55. 54 Use, acquisition and disposal of records.
  56. 55 Restriction on disposal of assets and entering into contracts by existing authorities.
  57. 56 Duty of existing authorities and assessors to provide information to new authorities.
  58. 57 Power and duty of existing local authorities to assist new authorities.
  59. 58 Further provision as to discharge of functions by authorities.
  60. 59 Local Acts and instruments.
  61. 60 Applications to sheriff in cases of difficulty.
  62. 61 Interpretation of Part I.
  63. 62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  64. 63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  65. 64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  66. 65 General duties of Secretary of State and of new authorities.
  67. 66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  68. 67 Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council.
  69. 67A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  70. 68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  71. 69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  72. 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  73. 71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  74. 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  75. 73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  76. 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  77. 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  78. 75A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  79. 76 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  80. 77 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  81. 78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  82. 79 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  83. 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  84. 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  85. 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  86. 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  87. 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  88. 85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  89. 86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  90. 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  91. 88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  92. 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  93. 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  94. 91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  95. 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  96. 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  97. 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  98. 95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  99. 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  100. 97 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  101. 98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  102. 99 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  103. 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  104. 101 Authorisation of construction of certain private sewers etc.
  105. 102 Emptying of septic tanks.
  106. 103 Register as respects trade effluents.
  107. 104 Disapplication of restrictions on disclosure of information.
  108. 105 Restriction on references to Secretary of State of questions regarding water supply.
  109. 106 Removal of restriction on supply of water to premises outwith water authority’s limits of supply.
  110. 107 Supply of water for use outwith Scotland.
  111. 108 Further provision as regards removal of restrictions on supply of water outwith limits of supply.
  112. 109 Right of objection to proposed laying of mains.
  113. 110 Vesting of certain supply pipes.
  114. 111 Duty of water authority to keep map showing water mains etc.
  115. 112 Simplification of provisions as respects opting for water supply by meter.
  116. 113 Actings of Secretary of State on default of water authority.
  117. 114 Publication and provision of information as respects quality of private supplies of water.
  118. 115 Regulations as to certain procedures.
  119. 116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  120. 117 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  121. 118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  122. 119 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  123. 120 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  124. 121 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  125. 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  126. 123 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  127. 124 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  128. 125 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  129. 125A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  130. 126 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  131. 127 The Principal Reporter.
  132. 128 The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.
  133. 129 Appeal against dismissal of Principal Reporter and other officers.
  134. 130 Annual report of Principal Reporter.
  135. 131 Delegation of Principal Reporter’s functions.
  136. 132 Duty of Administration to provide accommodation etc. for children’s hearings.
  137. 133 Ancillary powers of Administration.
  138. 134 Directions by the Secretary of State.
  139. 135 Government grants to the Administration.
  140. 136 Reports, accounts etc. of the Administration.
  141. 137 Staff: application of Chapter 2 of Part I.
  142. 138 Property etc.: application of Chapter 3 of Part I.
  143. 139 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  144. 140 Power of local authorities to provide assistance to voluntary organisations.
  145. 141 Byelaws under section 121 of Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
  146. 142 Organisation of polling districts.
  147. 143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  148. 144 Denominational schools: proposals under section 22D of Education (Scotland) Act 1980.
  149. 145 Provision of school transport and other facilities.
  150. 146 Definition of “road”.
  151. 147 Provisions consequential on making of special road order.
  152. 148 Toll orders.
  153. 149 Road works register.
  154. 150 Traffic signs.
  155. 151 Exclusion from valuation roll of fishings and fish counters
  156. 152 Amendment of definition of “lands and heritages”.
  157. 153 Power of Secretary of State to prescribe amount of non-domestic rate.
  158. 154 Rating of unoccupied lands and heritages.
  159. 155 Rating of lands and heritages partly unoccupied for a short time.
  160. 156 Remission of rates on account of hardship.
  161. 157 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  162. 158 Grants in respect of certain rate rebates.
  163. 159 Rating of enterprise zone.
  164. 160 Further provision as to valuation by formula.
  165. 161 Power of Secretary of State to combine and divide lands and heritages.
  166. 162 Abolition of Scottish Valuation Advisory Council.
  167. 163 Guarantees by Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.
  168. 164 Calculation of limits on spending.
  169. 165 Powers of authorities to borrow and lend money.
  170. 166 Grants in relation to ethnic minorities.
  171. 167 Special grants.
  172. 168 Direct Labour Organisation/ Direct Services Organisation Accounts.
  173. 169 Statements of support services costs.
  174. 170 Effective use of resources.
  175. 171 Functions to include promotion of economic development.
  176. 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  177. 173 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  178. 174 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  179. 175 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  180. 176 Powers to carry on tourism-related activities.
  181. 177 Parliamentary disqualification.
  182. 178 Financial provisions.
  183. 179 Savings.
  184. 180 Minor and consequential amendments and repeals
  185. 181 Consequential and supplementary provisions
  186. 182 Further transitional provisions.
  187. 183 Interpretation and amendment of statutory references
  188. 184 Short title, commencement and extent
  189. SCHEDULE 1 New Local Government Areas
  190. SCHEDULE 2 Establishment of New Local Authorities
  191. SCHEDULE 3 Residuary Bodies
  192. SCHEDULE 4
  193. SCHEDULE 5 Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority
  194. SCHEDULE 6 Entry relating to new Scottish local authority to be inserted in Schedule 1 to the Tweed Fisheries Act 1969
  195. SCHEDULE 7
  196. SCHEDULE 8
  197. SCHEDULE 9
  198. Schedule 9A
  199. SCHEDULE 10
  200. SCHEDULE 11
  201. SCHEDULE 13 Minor and Consequential Amendments
  202. SCHEDULE 14 Repeals

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

202 provisions

40 Establishment etc. of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority.

(1) With effect from 1st April 1996 there shall be a Passenger Transport Authority to be known as the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (in this section referred to as “the Authority”) for the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Area for the purposes of Part II of the Transport Act 1968. (2) On 1st April 1996 all of the functions, staff, property, rights, liabilities and obligations of Strathclyde Regional Council as Passenger Transport Authority shall be transferred to and vest in the Authority. (3) Section 9 of this Act shall apply to any person transferred to the Authority under this section as if any reference in that section to a new authority included a reference to the Authority. (4) The Secretary of State may by order— (a) designate the passenger transport area of the Authority; and (b) make provision for the constitution and membership of the Authority in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 5 to this Act. (5) Without prejudice to the provisions of the said Schedule 5, an order under subsection (4) above shall include— (a) such provision with respect to any of the matters referred to in that Schedule; and (b) such supplementary, incidental and consequential provision, as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient. (6) Before making an order under subsection (4) above the Secretary of State shall consult such persons or bodies as he thinks fit. (7) The following provisions of the 1973 Act shall apply, subject to any necessary modifications, with respect to the Authority as they apply with respect to a local authority or, in the case of section 106(2), a body, that is to say— (a) section 95 (financial administration); (b) section 96 (accounts and audit); (c) section 97 (Commission for Local Authority Accounts in Scotland); (d) section 97A (studies for improving economy etc. in services); (e) section 97B (furnishing of information and documents to Commission); (f) section 98 (expenses and accounts of Commission); (g) section 99 (general duties of auditors); (h) section 100 (auditor’s right of access to documents); (i) section 101 (right of interested person to inspect and object to accounts: completion of audit); (j) section 102 (reports to Commission by Controller of Audit); (k) section 103 (action by Commission on reports by Controller of Audit); (l) section 104 (action by Secretary of State on recommendation by Commission under section 103(3)); (m) section 105 (regulations as to accounts); and (n) section 106(2) (accounts of officer to be audited in certain circumstances). (8) The Secretary of State may by order vary the passenger transport area of the Authority. (9) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. (10) Schedule 5 to this Act (which makes provision for the constitution, proceedings etc. of the Authority) shall have effect.

Propose a change

41 Amendment of section 13 of Transport Act 1968.

For section 13 of the Transport Act 1968 (grants to the Executive) there shall be substituted— Grants and payments. 13 (1) Any expenditure of the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority shall, in so far as not otherwise met, be met by the local authorities whose areas lie wholly or partly within the area of the Authority in such proportions as the authorities may agree. (2) Where— (a) the authorities mentioned in subsection (1) above cannot reach agreement as to the proportions in which the expenditure of the Authority shall be met by them and the Authority make an application to the Secretary of State for resolution of the matter; or (b) it appears to the Secretary of State that those authorities are unable to reach such agreement, the Secretary of State shall determine the proportions in which such expenditure shall be met by those authorities. (3) The Authority shall have power to make grants to the Executive for any purpose. .

Propose a change

42 Power to secure management of traffic control system.

(1) Where the Secretary of State considers that— (a) for the purposes of securing the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians), a system of traffic control should extend across the roads of two or more traffic authorities; and (b) the authorities for those roads have not made satisfactory joint arrangements for the exercise of such of their functions under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as are necessary to secure the provision and management of such a system of traffic control, he may make an order under this section. (2) An order under this section may transfer to the Secretary of State such functions of those authorities under that Act as he considers necessary to enable him to secure the provision and management of such a system. (3) The Secretary of State may enter into arrangements with such an authority for the carrying out by that authority on his behalf of the functions mentioned in subsection (2) above. (4) Any expenses reasonably incurred by the Secretary of State in exercising the functions transferred by an order under this section may be recovered by him from the traffic authorities from which the functions were transferred in such proportions— (a) as may be agreed between the authorities; or (b) where there is no agreement, as may be determined by him. (5) In this section— “road” has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984; and “traffic authority” has the meaning given by section 121A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Propose a change

43 Guidance as to exercise of traffic powers.

(1) For the purpose of ensuring that the exercise by an authority of any of the powers mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) below does not have an adverse effect on the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians)— (a) on the roads of any other authority; or (b) on the national system of routes for through traffic in Scotland, the Secretary of State may issue guidance to an authority as to the exercise of those powers. (2) The powers referred to in subsection (1) above are the powers of an authority to make, vary or revoke orders under or by virtue of any of the following sections of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, that is to say— (a) section 1 (traffic regulation orders); (b) section 9 (experimental traffic orders); (c) section 19 (orders concerning public service vehicles); (d) section 32 (provision of parking places by authorities); (e) section 35 (orders as to use of parking places); (f) section 37 (orders relating to general scheme of traffic control); (g) section 38 (orders as to use of parking places as bus or coach stations); (h) section 45 (orders designating paying parking places); (i) section 46 (further orders regulating paying parking places); (j) section 49 (designation orders and designated parking places); (k) section 53 (designation orders); (l) section 82(2) (directions concerning restricted roads); and (m) section 84 (speed limits on certain roads). (3) The powers referred to in subsection (1) above are the powers of an authority under sections 36 (construction of road humps) and 39A (construction of traffic calming works) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. (4) Before issuing guidance under this section the Secretary of State shall consult (a) the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service in respect of the provision by them of an ambulance service by virtue of the National Health Service (Functions of the Common Services Agency) (Scotland) Order 1974 (b) the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland, (c) the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and (d) the authorities for the areas to which the guidance relates. for the areas to which the guidance relates. (5) Without prejudice to his power to make regulations under paragraph 21 of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 or, as the case may be, section 39B(1) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to the procedures to be followed by authorities in relation to the guidance. (6) An authority shall, before exercising any power mentioned in subsections (2) and (3) above, and subject to any regulations made under subsection (5) above— (a) have regard to any guidance issued to them under this section; (b) consider whether the proposed exercise of such power would be likely to have an effect on the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians)— (i) on a road in the area of any other authority; or (ii) on a road in the national system of routes for through traffic in Scotland; and (c) if the proposed exercise would, in their opinion, have such an effect, consult— (i) in the case of a road such as is mentioned in paragraph (b)(i) of this subsection, the other authority; or (ii) in the case of a road such as is mentioned in paragraph (b)(ii) of this subsection, the Secretary of State. (7) Where an authority take any action which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State— (a) is contrary to any guidance issued to the authority under this section; and (b) has or is likely to have an adverse effect on either of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State may, after consulting the authority, direct the authority to take such steps within a period specified by him as may be necessary to conform with that guidance. (8) If, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, an authority have failed to comply with a direction under subsection (7) above, he may exercise any of their powers for the purpose of giving effect to the direction; and any expenses reasonably incurred by him in doing so shall be recoverable by him from that authority. (9) The power to make regulations under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. (10) In this section— “authority” means— in relation to the exercise of the powers mentioned in subsection (2) above, a traffic authority (within the meaning of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984); and in relation to the exercise of the powers mentioned in subsection (3) above, a roads authority (within the meaning of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984); and “road” has the same meaning as in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

Propose a change

44 Restriction on order-making powers of existing authorities.

(1) Where a regional council propose to make an order such as is mentioned in subsection (2) below and the order— (a) will come into effect after such date as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument prescribe; and (b) will continue in effect after 31st March 1996, they shall, before making the order, seek the consent of the successor authority. (2) The orders referred to in subsection (1) above are any orders made under the following provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984— (a) section 1 (traffic regulation orders); (b) section 9 (experimental traffic orders); (c) section 14 (temporary traffic orders); (d) section 32 (provision of parking places by authorities); (e) section 35 (orders relating to use of parking places); (f) section 37 (orders as to general scheme of traffic control); (g) section 45 (orders designating paying parking places); (h) section 46 (further orders regulating paying parking places); and (i) section 84 (speed limits on certain roads). (3) Where a successor authority refuse their consent to a proposed order to which this section applies the regional council shall not make the order without having obtained the consent of the Secretary of State. (4) Where— (a) a regional council have sought the consent of a successor authority to the making of a proposed order to which this section applies; and (b) the successor authority have failed, within 6 weeks of such consent being sought, to consent, the successor authority shall be deemed to have given such consent. (5) In this section “successor authority” means any council constituted under section 2 of this Act (other than the councils for Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and Western Isles) in whose area the proposed order will have effect.

Propose a change

45 Chief social work officer.

—For section 3 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (director of social work), there shall be substituted the following section— Chief social work officer. 3 (1) For the purposes of their functions under this Act and the enactments mentioned in section 5(1B) of this Act, a local authority shall appoint an officer to be known as the chief social work officer. (2) The qualifications of the chief social work officer shall be such as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State. .

Propose a change

46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Propose a change

47 Proceedings in district courts: transitional provisions.

Where proceedings were instituted before 1st April 1996 in any district court and those proceedings have not been completed by that date, then, for the purpose of enabling those proceedings to be continued on and after that date, and for preserving in other respects the continuity of the administration of justice— (a) the district court having jurisdiction on and after that date in the area where the proceedings were instituted shall be treated as succeeding to, and being the same court as, the district court in which the proceedings were instituted, and any verdict, sentence, order, complaint, notice, citation, warrant, or other proceedings or document shall have effect accordingly; and (b) the clerk of the district court in which the proceedings were instituted shall transfer all records, productions and documents relating to those proceedings to the clerk of the district court treated as succeeding to that court.

Propose a change

48 Amendment of District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975.

In section 2 of the District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975 (district of, and exercise of jurisdiction by, district court), after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection— (1A) In determining where and when a district court should sit, a local authority shall have regard to the desirability of minimising the expense and inconvenience occasioned to those directly involved, whether as parties or witnesses, in the proceedings before the court. .

Propose a change

49 Justices of the peace.

(1) Any person holding office as justice of the peace for any commission area by virtue of the provisions of section 9(2) or 10(3) of the District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975 immediately before 1st April 1996 shall, on and after that date, hold office as justice of the peace for the commission area in which he resides on that date. (2) Any person holding office as justice of the peace for any commission area on and after 1st April 1996 by virtue of the provisions of subsection (1) above shall hold that office as if appointed in accordance with the said section 9(2). (3) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied in all the circumstances that it is expedient that any such person as is mentioned in subsection (1) above should hold that office for another commission area, he may so direct; and any such direction shall have effect, and shall be treated for the purposes of the said Act of 1975, as an instrument appointing that person in accordance with the said section 9(2) to hold office for such commission area as is mentioned in the direction.

Propose a change

50 Stipendiary magistrates.

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51 Registration of births, deaths and marriages.

(1) The Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 shall be amended in accordance with the provisions of this section. (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) In section 8 (registration offices)— (a) in subsection (1), after the words “registration office” there shall be inserted the words “ which may comprise principal premises and such subordinate premises as they may, with the approval of the Registrar General, consider appropriate ”; and (b) at the end there shall be inserted the following subsection— (6) References in this Act to the registration office shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as including all the premises provided and maintained by a local registration authority as parts of the registration office. . (4) In section 15 (information concerning finding of infant children)— (a) in subsections (1) and (3), for the words “director of social work” there shall be substituted “ chief social work officer ”; and (b) subsection (4) shall cease to have effect. (5) In section 56(1) (interpretation), after the definition of “function” there shall be inserted the following definition— “local authority” means a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994; .

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52 Tweed Fisheries Commissioners.

(1) On 1st April 1996 each person holding office as representative commissioner appointed by any of the district councils of Berwickshire, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale or Tweeddale under the Tweed Fisheries Act 1969 shall go out of office. (2) The function of appointing representatives formerly appointed by the councils mentioned in subsection (1) above shall be transferred to the new council for the Borders. (3) In Schedule 1 to the said Act of 1969, for the entries relating to the district councils of Berwickshire, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale and Tweeddale there shall be substituted the entry relating to the Borders Council set out in Schedule 6 to this Act.

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53 Records held by local authorities.

(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4) Where a local authority hold records relating to the property or functions of any other local authority, that other authority shall, subject to any arrangements made under section 58 of this Act or section 56 of the 1973 Act by the two authorities— (a) be entitled to free access to, and copies of, any such records; and (b) pay to the local authority holding the records such proportion of the costs incurred by that authority in preserving and managing the records— (i) as the authorities may agree; or (ii) as may, failing such agreement, be determined by the Secretary of State. (5) The Keeper shall be entitled to free access to any records held by a local authority. (6) For the purposes of this section and section 54 of this Act “records” includes charters, deeds, minutes, accounts and other documents, and any other records, of whatever form and in whatever medium, which convey information, but does not include records which are the property of the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland.

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54 Use, acquisition and disposal of records.

(1) A local authority may do anything which appears to them to be appropriate for the purpose of enabling proper use to be made of their records and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, may— (a) make provision for enabling persons, with or without charge and subject to such conditions as the authority may determine, to inspect the records and to make or obtain copies thereof; (b) prepare, or procure or assist in the preparation of, indices and guides to and calendars and summaries of the records; (c) publish, or procure or assist in the publication of, the records or any index or guide to or calendar or summary of the records; (d) hold exhibitions of the records and arrange for the delivery of explanatory lectures, with or without charging for admission to such exhibitions or lectures; (e) direct that the records be temporarily entrusted to other persons for exhibition or study. (2) Nothing in subsection (1) above shall be taken as authorising the doing of any act which infringes copyright or contravenes conditions subject to which records are under the control of an authority. (3) A local authority may— (a) acquire by way of purchase records which, or (in the case of a collection) the majority of which, appear to the authority to be of general or local interest; (b) accept the gift of records which or, in the case of a collection, the majority of which appear to the authority to be of general or local interest. (4) A local authority may accept the deposit of records— (a) authorised to be deposited with it by any enactment; and (b) which appear to the authority to be of general or local interest. (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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55 Restriction on disposal of assets and entering into contracts by existing authorities.

(1) On and after the relevant date, an existing authority shall not, without the consent of the relevant successor authority or, in a case to which subsection (9) below applies, the Secretary of State— (a) without prejudice to section 74 of the 1973 Act (disposal of land), dispose of any land for a consideration exceeding £250,000; or (b) enter into any of the contracts mentioned in subsection (2) below. (2) The contracts referred to in subsection (1)(b) above are— (a) contracts— (i) in terms of which the authority incurs a liability to meet capital expenses within the meaning of section 94 of the 1973 Act (capital expenses); and (ii) where the consideration exceeds £2,500,000; and (b) contracts, other than contracts such as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i) above— (i) the period of which purports to extend beyond 31st March 1996 or is capable of being so extended; and (ii) where the consideration exceeds £250,000. (3) The relevant date for the purposes of this section is such date as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument determine; and different such dates may be so determined in respect of any of the successor authorities mentioned in subsections (4) to (8) below or, in a case to which subsection (9) below applies, the Secretary of State. (4) Subject to subsections (5) to (8) below, the relevant successor authority in relation to any proposed disposal or contract by a regional or district council is— (a) in relation to any disposal of land, the new local authority within whose area the land will be situated; and (b) in relation to any other contracts, any new local authority whose area will include the whole or any part of the area of the existing local authority. (5) The relevant successor authority in relation to any proposed disposal of relevant property (within the meaning assigned by paragraph (b) of section 91(1) of this Act) or proposed contract in so far as it relates to functions mentioned in that paragraph is, in the case of— (a) Lothian, Borders, Fife or Central Region, the East of Scotland Water Authority; (b) Strathclyde or Dumfries and Galloway Region, the West of Scotland Water Authority; and (c) Tayside, Highland or Grampian Region or an Islands Area, the North of Scotland Water Authority. (6) The relevant successor authority in relation to any proposed disposal or contract by the Central Scotland Water Development Board is the East of Scotland Water Authority. (7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9) Where— (a) a disposal of land such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above is of land held or acquired by the authority for the construction or improvement of any road; or (b) a contract such as is mentioned in subsection (2) above is for works for the construction or improvement of any road; and (c) where, in either case, the Secretary of State has given notice to the authority concerned of his intention to make an order under section 12A(1)(a), 12B(1)(a), 12C(1)(b), 12E(1) or 12E(3) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 directing that a road or proposed road should become a trunk road or that he should be authorised to provide a special road, the consent required shall, in either case, be that of the Secretary of State. (10) The requirement to seek consent imposed by this section shall not apply to— (a) any disposal of land in respect of which the consent of the Secretary of State is required under section 12(7) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987; and (b) any contract entered into by an existing authority in or in connection with the exercise of the power conferred on them by section 24 of the Local Government Act 1988 (power to provide financial assistance for privately let housing accommodation). (11) This section applies to any granting of an option to require an existing authority to make a disposal of land or enter into a contract which would require the consent of a successor authority or the Secretary of State as it applies to such a disposal or contract. (12) In this section “existing authority” means a regional or district council, the Central Scotland Water Development Board, ... . . . and, for the purposes of the matters mentioned in subsection (5) above, includes an islands council.

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56 Duty of existing authorities and assessors to provide information to new authorities.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, existing local authorities and assessors shall provide new authorities with such information as the latter may reasonably require for the purpose of carrying out, whether before or after 1st April 1996, any of their functions. (2) A new authority may not require information to be provided from any existing authority or assessor whose area does not correspond, at least in part, with the area of the new authority. (3) An assessor shall not be required under subsection (1) above to provide any information to a new authority which he is not required to provide to an existing authority. (4) In this section— “assessor” means an assessor appointed under section 116 of the 1973 Act (appointment of assessors); “existing local authority” includes a joint committee and a joint board; and “new authority” means any of the authorities constituted under section 2 of this Act, and includes a joint board.

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57 Power and duty of existing local authorities to assist new authorities.

(1) An existing local authority may do anything which in their opinion is appropriate for the purpose of— (a) facilitating the transfer of their functions, staff and assets to a new authority; or (b) facilitating the carrying out by a new authority of their functions on and after 1st April 1996. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, existing local authorities having functions in relation to any part of the area of a new authority may establish, or the Secretary of State may require them to establish, a committee in the area of that new authority to consider any matter which it is expedient they should consider in order to ensure the effective operation of that authority on and after 1st April 1996. (3) Existing local authorities may establish, or the Secretary of State may direct them to establish, a committee in relation to the areas of any group of new authorities to consider any matter which it is expedient they should consider in order to ensure the effective operation of those authorities on and after 1st April 1996. (4) A committee established under subsection (2) or (3) above shall consist of such number of representatives of the authorities by whom it is established as may be agreed between them or, in default of such agreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State. (5) The Secretary of State may direct an existing local authority to do anything which in his opinion is appropriate for the purpose of putting a new authority in a position to carry out their functions with effect from 1st April 1996. (6) A direction under subsection (5) above— (a) may be made subject to such conditions (for example, as to payment by the new authority) as may be specified in it; and (b) shall be complied with by the authority to which it is made. (7) Any expenses incurred by a committee established under subsection (2) or (3) above shall be defrayed by the authorities by whom the committee was established in such proportions respectively as may be agreed amongst or between them or, in default of agreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State. (8) In this section— “existing local authority” includes a joint committee and a joint board; and “new authority” means any of the authorities constituted under section 2 of this Act, and includes a joint board.

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58 Further provision as to discharge of functions by authorities.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a local authority (a “contracting authority”) may agree with any other local authority (a “supplying authority”) that the supplying authority shall carry out for the contracting authority any activity or service which the contracting authority are required to, or may legitimately, carry out. (2) An agreement under this section— (a) may provide for activities or services to be carried out by two or more authorities jointly; and (b) may include such terms as to payment as the authorities concerned consider appropriate. (3) Anything requiring to be done by a supplying authority under an agreement under this section shall be treated as one of their statutory functions. (4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make such provision as he thinks fit in relation to the exercise by local authorities of the power conferred by this section and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, such regulations may include provision— (a) prohibiting or restricting to such extent as may be prescribed the use of the power in relation to such activities or services, or such class or classes of activities or services, as may be so prescribed; (b) specifying, either generally or in relation to such activities or services, or such classes of activities or services, as may be so prescribed, which authorities may enter into agreements under this section. (5) This section is without prejudice to any other power under or by virtue of which a local authority may arrange for the carrying out of any of their activities or services by another authority. (6) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. (7) For the purposes of this section “local authority” includes a residuary body and a joint board.

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59 Local Acts and instruments.

(1) Subject to subsection (2) below, any local statutory provision to which this section applies and which is not continued in force by any other provision of this Part of this Act shall— (a) notwithstanding the changes of administrative areas and local authorities effected by or under this Part of this Act and, in the case of an instrument made under any enactment, notwithstanding the repeal of that enactment, continue to apply on and after 1st April 1996 to, but only to, the area, things or persons to which or to whom it applies before that date; (b) have effect subject to any necessary modifications and to the modifications made by subsection (3) below; but the continuation by this subsection of an instrument made under any enactment shall not be construed as prejudicing any power to vary or revoke the instrument which is exercisable apart from this subsection. (2) Subsection (1) above shall have effect subject to the provisions of— (a) subsection (6) below; (b) this Part of this Act; (c) any Act passed after this Act and before 1st April 1996; and (d) any order made under— (i) section 181 of this Act; or (ii) the following provisions of this section. (3) Any local statutory provision to which this section applies and which relates to functions exercisable by an existing local authority of any description by virtue of any public general enactment shall have effect as if for any reference to the authority by whom the functions are exercised immediately before 1st April 1996 there were substituted a reference to the authority by whom those functions are exercisable on and after that date. (4) Subsection (3) above shall not come into force until 1st April 1996 and shall have effect subject to any provision to the contrary made by, or by any instrument made under, this Part of this Act and, without prejudice to the foregoing, the Secretary of State may by order provide for the exercise of functions conferred by any local statutory provision to which this section applies and exclude the operation of that subsection where it would otherwise conflict with any provision of the order. (5) Where any local statutory provision is continued in force in any area by subsection (1) above or is amended or modified in its application to any area by an order under section 181 of this Act, the Secretary of State may by that order, or in the case of a provision continued as aforesaid, by an order under this subsection— (a) extend the provision throughout the new local government area in which it is continued in force; (b) provide that that provision as so continued, amended, modified or extended shall have effect in that area to the exclusion of any enactment for corresponding purposes, including any enactment contained in or applied by this Act; (c) make such modifications of any such enactment in its application to that area as will secure that the enactment will operate harmoniously with the said provision in that area; (d) repeal or revoke any local statutory provision to which this section applies and which appears to the Secretary of State to have become spent, obsolete or unnecessary or to have been substantially superseded by any enactment or instrument which applies or may be applied to the area, persons or things to which or to whom that provision applies; (e) transfer to any local authority appearing to the Secretary of State to be appropriate any functions of an existing local authority under a local statutory provision to which this section applies which are not to become functions of some other authority under any provisions of this Act except section 181 of this Act and this section, or under any other instrument made under this Act, being functions exercisable by any existing local authority abolished by this Act; (f) without prejudice to paragraph (e) above, make such modifications of any local statutory provision to which this section applies in its application to any new local government area as appear to the Secretary of State to be expedient. (6) All local statutory provisions to which this subsection applies shall cease to have effect on 31st December 1999, but the Secretary of State may— (a) by order exempt any such provision from the foregoing provision of this subsection; (b) from time to time by order postpone the date on which any local statutory provision applying to the whole or part of any local government area is to cease to have effect under this subsection. (7) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. (8) This section applies to any local statutory provision in force immediately before 1st April 1996 and not expressly repealed or revoked by this Act, and subsection (6) above applies to the following local statutory provisions— (a) a provision of a local Act, the Bill for which was promoted by a local authority; (b) a provision of an Act confirming a provisional order made on the application of a local authority; (c) a provision of an order made on such an application which was subject to special parliamentary procedure; (d) any byelaw; and (e) any management rule made under section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (management rules), not being a provision relating to a statutory undertaking. (9) In this section— “existing local authority” means a regional or district council; “local authority” means an existing local authority, a joint committee, an authority constituted under section 2 of this Act, a joint board and a residuary body; and, for the purposes of subsection (6) above, includes any local authority in existence prior to 16th May 1975; “local statutory provision” includes— a provision of a public general Act passed with respect only to the whole or part of an existing local government area; a provision of an instrument made under such a public general Act; an instrument in the nature of a local statutory provision made under any other public general Act; a provision of a local Act or a provision of an instrument made under any such Act; a provision of an Act confirming a provisional order; a provision of an order which was subject to special parliamentary procedure; any byelaw; and any management rule made under section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (management rules), but does not include any enactment or instrument in so far as that enactment or instrument relates to functions mentioned in section 91(1)(b) of this Act nor any order under section 6 of the 1975 Act; and “statutory undertaking” means any railway, light railway, tramway, road transport, water transport, canal, inland navigation, ferry, dock, harbour, pier or lighthouse undertaking, any market undertaking or any undertaking for the supply of electricity, gas, hydraulic power or district heating.

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60 Applications to sheriff in cases of difficulty.

Sections 231 (applications to sheriff in cases of difficulty) and 232 (applications to court) of the 1973 Act shall apply in relation to a difficulty arising in the carrying out of this Part of this Act as they apply in relation to a difficulty arising in the carrying out of that Act.

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61 Interpretation of Part I.

In this Part of this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “existing local authority” means a regional, islands or district council; “the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland” means the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, established by section 1 of the Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014; “records” shall be construed in accordance with section 53 of this Act; “the 1972 Act” means the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972; “the 1992 Act” means the Local Government Finance Act 1992, and expressions used in this Part of this Act and in the 1973 Act shall have the same meanings in this Part as in that Act.

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65 General duties of Secretary of State and of new authorities.

(1) For section 1 of the 1980 Act (which imposes on the Secretary of State certain duties as respects water conservation and supply) there shall be substituted— General duties of Secretary of State and of water authorities. 1 It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State and of the water authorities when exercising their respective functions or powers under or by virtue of this Act— (a) to promote the conservation and effective use of the water resources of, and the provision of adequate water supplies throughout, Scotland; and (b) to secure the collection, preparation, publication and dissemination of information and statistics relating to such resources and supplies. . (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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67 Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council.

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