Local Government Act 2010
Encyclopedia
The Local Government Act 2010 (c. 35) is an Act
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. It revokes structural change orders that would have established Exeter
and Norwich
as unitary authorities
and prevents the implementation of the Suffolk unitary proposals.
The implementation orders were blocked by a High Court
ruling, but Eric Pickles
, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said the "zombie proposals" still theoretically existed and had to be killed off. The Bill was introduced in the House of Lords
on 26 May 2010. The Bill's second reading was blocked following Lord Howarth
's argument that it constituted a hybrid bill
. It ultimately passed third reading in Lords on 5 October.
In favour of the Bill, the Government said that halting the plan would save £40 million in reorganisation costs. Lord McKenzie of Luton
, a member of the opposition Labour Party, said that the bill would "shut out Exeter and Norwich from the opportunity to become unitary councils" in "an arrogant, dictatorial and brutal way".
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. It revokes structural change orders that would have established Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
and Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
as unitary authorities
Unitary authorities of England
Unitary authorities of England are areas where a single local authority is responsible for a variety of services for a district that elsewhere are administered separately by two councils...
and prevents the implementation of the Suffolk unitary proposals.
The implementation orders were blocked by a High Court
High Court
The term High Court usually refers to the superior court of a country or state. In some countries, it is the highest court . In others, it is positioned lower in the hierarchy of courts The term High Court usually refers to the superior court (or supreme court) of a country or state. In some...
ruling, but Eric Pickles
Eric Pickles
Eric Jack Pickles is a British Conservative Party politician. Pickles was appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government of the coalition government headed by Prime Minister David Cameron on 12 May 2010....
, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said the "zombie proposals" still theoretically existed and had to be killed off. The Bill was introduced in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
on 26 May 2010. The Bill's second reading was blocked following Lord Howarth
Alan Howarth, Baron Howarth of Newport
Alan Thomas Howarth, Baron Howarth of Newport, CBE, PC, is a British Labour Party politician who was a Member of Parliament from 1983 until 2005.-Early life:...
's argument that it constituted a hybrid bill
Hybrid bill
In the United Kingdom, a hybrid bill is a public bill which affects the private interests of a particular person or organization. It is generally initiated by the Government on behalf of non-Parliamentary bodies such as local authorities and is treated like a private bill for the beginning of its...
. It ultimately passed third reading in Lords on 5 October.
In favour of the Bill, the Government said that halting the plan would save £40 million in reorganisation costs. Lord McKenzie of Luton
William McKenzie, Baron McKenzie of Luton
William David McKenzie, Baron McKenzie of Luton is an English Labour politician and, up to the General Election of 2010, was Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Communities and Local Government...
, a member of the opposition Labour Party, said that the bill would "shut out Exeter and Norwich from the opportunity to become unitary councils" in "an arrogant, dictatorial and brutal way".
External links
- Local Government Bill – official page on UK Parliament website