30 October 2007
472.The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 provides that a person is disqualified from becoming a member of a local authority if he or she holds a politically restricted post. This section amends the 1989 Act so that the granting and supervision of exemptions from the political restriction will be the responsibility of the standards committee of each local authority in England, rather than that of the Independent Adjudicator. The section also provides that the Secretary of State may issue general advice with regard to the making of decisions on political restrictions. Before giving such general advice, the Secretary of State must consult those representatives of local government he considers appropriate.
473.This section makes consequential amendments to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Environment Act 1995 and the Greater London Authority Act 1999 to ensure that the new arrangements are compatible with existing legislation.
474.This section provides for the Secretary of State to make an order in relation to England which will specify the maximum pay of political assistants by reference to a point on a relevant pay scale. Welsh Ministers may make such an order in relation to Wales.