Local Government (Religious etc. Observances) Act 2015

1 Powers of councils

In Part 7 of the Local Government Act 1972 (miscellaneous powers of local authorities) after section 138 insert—

“138A Prayers and other observances

(1) The business at a meeting of a local authority in England may include time for—

(a) prayers or other religious observance, or

(b) observance connected with a religious or philosophical belief.

(2) Subsection (1) also applies in relation to meetings of—

(a) a committee of a local authority in England,

(b) a joint committee of two or more such authorities, whether appointed or established under Part 6 of this Act or any other enactment, or

(c) a sub-committee of such a committee or joint committee.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not limit other powers.

138B Involvement with religious events and events connected with a belief

(1) A local authority in England may support or facilitate, or make arrangements to be represented at, any of the following—

(a) a religious event,

(b) an event with a religious element,

(c) an event connected with a religious or philosophical belief, or

(d) an event with an element connected with such a belief.

(2) Subsection (1) does not limit other powers.

(3) Any powers of a local authority in England that are given otherwise than under subsection (1) may be exercised—

(a) for the purpose of supporting or facilitating any event mentioned in subsection (1), or

(b) for purposes that include that purpose.

(4) Subsection (3) does not limit the generality of those powers.”