List of Legal Powers

The List below is an indicative list of powers and activities, applicable to community and town councils, to help you appreciate the wide range of activities covered by the Acts of parliament. It is a useful reference when you need to know if the Council can act.

Allotments
Powers and duties
Powers to provide allotments.
Duty to provide allotment gardens if demand unsatisfied.

Statutory provisions
Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908, ss.23, 26 and 42

Baths and washhouses
Powers and duties
Power to provide public baths and washhouses

Statutory provisions
Public Health Act 1936, ss. 221. 222, 223 and 227

Burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoria
Powers and duties
Power to acquire and maintain
Power to provide
Power to agree to maintain monuments and memorials

Statutory provisions
Open Spaces Act 1906, ss.9 and 10; Local Government Act 1972, s. 214; Parish Councils and Burials Authorities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1970, s.1
Power to contribute towards expenses of cemeteries Local Government Act 1972, s.214(6)

Bus shelters
Powers and duties
Power to provide and maintain shelters

Statutory provisions
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953, s.4

Bye-laws
Powers and duties
Power to make byelaws in regard to pleasure grounds
Cycle parks baths and washhouses
Open spaces and burial grounds
Mortuaries and post-mortem rooms

Statutory provisions
Public Health Act 1875, s.164, Road Traffic Regulation, Public Health Act 1936, s.223, Open Spaces Act 1906, s.15, Public Health Act 1936, s.198

Charities
Powers and duties
Duty to receive accounts of parochial charities

Statutory provisions
Charities Act 1960, s.32

Clocks
Powers and duties
Power to provide public clocks

Statutory provisions
Parish Councils Act 1957, s.2

Closed churchyards
Powers and duties
Power as to maintenance

Statutory provisions
Local Government Act 1972, s.215

Commons and common pastures
Powers and duties
Powers in relation to enclosure, as to regulation and management, and as to providing common pasture
Enclosure Act 1845; Local Government Act 1894, s.8(4): Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908, s.34

Conference facilities
Powers and duties
Power to provide and encourage the use of facilities

Statutory provisions
Local Government Act 1972, s.144

Community centres
Powers and duties
Power to provide and equip buildings for use of clubs having athletic, social or educational objectives

Statutory provisions
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, s.19

Drainage
Powers and duties
Power to deal with ponds and ditches

Statutory provisions
Public Health Act 1936, s.260

Education
Powers and duties
Right to appoint school governors

Statutory provisions
Education (No 2) Act 1986, s.4

Entertainment and the arts
Powers and duties
Provision of entertainment and support of the arts

Statutory provisions
Local Government Act 1972, s.145

Gifts
Powers and duties
Power to accept

Statutory provisions
Local Government Act 1972, s.139