The Local Government (Parishes and Parish Councils) (England) Regulations 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Chapter 3 of Part 4 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (“the 2007 Act”) authorises principal councils (as defined in section 102(2) of the 2007 Act) to undertake community governance reviews in their areas and make recommendations for matters such as the creation of new parishes and parish councils, the electoral arrangements for parish councils, the abolition of existing parishes and parish councils and changes to parish boundaries. It also requires a principal council which has received a valid community governance petition to undertake a community governance review. Section 86 of the 2007 Act enables a principal council to make an order to give effect to recommendations made in a community governance review (a “reorganisation order”).

These Regulations make incidental, consequential, transitional and supplementary provision of general application for the purposes of, and in consequence of, reorganisation orders. The Regulations apply subject to the provisions of the individual orders (as provided by section 97(2) of the 2007 Act).

These Regulations deal with the distribution of property, rights and liabilities of parish councils affected by a reorganisation order; the continuity of certain general and local matters; transitional issues including those affecting councillors, staff and charter trustees; and other matters such as accounts and audit and the minutes of last meetings of parish council which cease to exist in consequence of reorganisation orders.