Local Government and Housing Act 1989

7 All staff to be appointed on merit

(1) Every appointment of a person to a paid office or employment under—

(a) a local authority or parish or community council in England and Wales, or

(b) a local authority in Scotland,

shall be made on merit.

(2) Subsection (1) above applies to all appointments made by, or by any committee of, a local authority or parish or community council, whether made under section 112 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 or section 64 of the [1973 c. 65.] Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (appointment of staff) or otherwise, but has effect subject to—

(a) sections 9 and 12 of the [1944 c. 10.] Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944 (quotas and reserved employment);

(b) section 18 of the [1947 c. 41.] Fire Services Act 1947 (regulations as to appointment etc. of chief officers and fire brigades);

(c) section 7 of the [1975 c. 65.] Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (discrimination permitted in relation to employment where sex of employee is a genuine occupational qualification);

(d) section 5 of the [1976 c. 74.] Race Relations Act 1976 (discrimination permitted in relation to employment where being of a particular racial group is a genuine occupational qualification); and

(e) section 113 of the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988 and section 6 above (qualifications of officers responsible for administration of financial affairs of certain authorities).

(3) This section shall come into force at the expiry of the period of two months beginning on the day this Act is passed.