(1)The maximum period that may be specified in a closure notice is 24 hours unless subsection (2) applies.
(2)The maximum period is 48 hours—
(a)if, in the case of a notice issued by a police officer, the officer is of at least the rank of superintendent, or
(b)if, in the case of a notice issued by a local authority, the notice is signed by the chief executive officer of the authority or a person designated by him or her for the purposes of this subsection.
(3)In calculating when the period of 48 hours ends, Christmas Day is to be disregarded.
(4)The period specified in a closure notice to which subsection (2) does not apply may be extended by up to 24 hours—
(a)if, in the case of a notice issued by a police officer, an extension notice is issued by an officer of at least the rank of superintendent, or
(b)if, in the case of a notice issued by a local authority, the authority issues an extension notice signed by the chief executive officer of the authority or a person designated by the chief executive officer for the purposes of this subsection.
(5)An extension notice is a notice which—
(a)identifies the closure notice to which it relates, and
(b)specifies the period of the extension.
[F1(6)In this section “chief executive officer” means—
(a)in relation to a local authority in England, the authority's head of paid service designated under section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;
(b)in relation to a local authority in Wales, the authority's chief executive appointed under section 54 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 77(6) substituted (5.5.2022) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(7), Sch. 5 para. 18; S.I. 2021/231, art. 6(s)
Commencement Information
I1S. 77 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)