Law change ending requirement to publish home addresses of councillors to come into force at end of month

The changes will come into force from 29 June 2026 under section 65 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which will remove the requirement for councillors' addresses to be listed on council registers of interest.

In addition, the newly added section 32A of the Localism Act 2011 requires that councils do not publish details of a member’s home address in public registers of interest unless an individual member explicitly requests it.

Commenting on the change, the Society of Local Council Clerks said public registers of interest will still state that an interest exists, but that the address is withheld under the new section 32A.

It stated that the exact address details will still need to be declared, remain available internally to councils, and will continue to prevent conflicts of interest.

Further, the register of member contact details maintained under section 100G of the Local Government Act 1972 must no longer include home addresses when made available for public inspection, the society said.

The news comes a year and a half on from the Government announcing its intention to remove the requirement. Commenting on the Government’s plans in October 2024, the then Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “Too often I speak to dedicated councillors who are facing death threats and intimidation.  

“And I take this very seriously and recognise the impact this has on the lives of dedicated public servants and their families.

“That’s why we are taking decisive action to prevent councillors from being subjected to intimidation and harassment by removing the requirement for members’ home addresses to be published.”

Adam Carey