Commentary on Sections Introduction Change from two tiers to single tier of local government Section 1: “principal authority” and “single tier of local government”
14.Section 1 defines the term “principal authority” as either a district or county council in England. These are therefore the authorities which the Secretary of State may invite or direct to make proposals for structural change (under section 2).
15.The section also explains what is meant by “a single tier of local government for an area”.