On whether a body is a PUBLIC AUTHORITY to which the ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS are applicable, SA CERTIFICATION LTD v INFORMATION COMMISSIONER ( 2026 ) UKFTT 104 ( GRC ) reiterates that the critical question is whether the powers vested in the body are beyond those which result from the normal rules applicable in relation to persons governed by private law, and give the body an ability that confers on it a practical advantage relative to the rules of private law.

In SEX MATTERS v CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION ( 2026 ) EWHC 149 ( Admin ) Lieven J was concerned with the EQUALITY ACT 2010 in relation to admission arrangements at open air swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath. The Judgment is instructive on the preliminary issues of delay/prematurity and standing/alternative remedy.

R ( HAWES ) v TOWER HAMLETS LBC ( 2026 ) EWCA Civ 24 is concerned with the London Borough Council’s decision to revoke such a Scheme. The judicial review challenge succeeded to the extent that the Council was found to have breached its statutory duty under Section 151(1)(a) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 not to act inconsistently with a LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN approved by the Mayor of London.

There is a rebuttable presumption that a right of way marked on a definitive map actually exists, as marked. However, Section 53(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 empowers the local authority to MODIFY THE MAP if it discovers admissible evidence that there has been an error in its preparation.

Inconsistency between map and statement and/or comparison of the documents with the situation on the ground at the relevant time are such evidence. Indeed extrinsic evidence for this purpose is confined to that.

DEFRA has, on 1 December 2025, published a 123 pages ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, pursuant to Section 10(6) of the post Brexit  Environment Act 2021, seetting out (1) 10 long term GOALS, and how they can be delivered, and (2) 91 COMMITMENTS.

A Committee of Public Accounts Report, published on 29 October 2025, raises concerns over ACCESSIBILITY FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE and makes a number of Recommendations to the Department for Transport.

The Bus Services (No 2) Act has become law. Amongst other matters, it tightens requirements for cancelling routes empowers Councils to identify services as socially necessary, and lifts the ban on Councils setting up their own bus companies.

The UK Government has on 20 October 2025 published its Response to the Office for Environmental Protection’s Report on improving the natural environment in England from January 2025.

The Government has, on Bastille Day, issued a Report, with a spilt infinitive in is title “ Unlocking benefits for people, nature and climate : Actions to jointly address climate change and biodiversity loss in England.”

The Senedd has enacted its Visitor Accommodation ( Register and Levy ) etc ( Wales ) Bill, to ( 1 ) give Councils the choice to introduce, from 2027, following Consultation, a small VISITOR LEVY on overnight stays by adults, in order to raise funds all of which are to be reinvested in local TOURISM related expenses, and ( 2 ) introduce a national statutory free to enter REGISTER for all VISITOR ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS in Wales, in order to support  policy development and decision-making. The Levy is the first local tax designed and legislated for in Wales.