Section 3A of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 provides for the head of paid service of a local authority in England which is a relevant authority (as defined in section 49(6) of the Local Government Act 2000) to grant exemptions, in certain circumstances, from the political restrictions imposed on certain posts by the 1989 Act. Section 3A(7B) gives the Secretary of State power by regulations to make provision about the application of the section to a local authority that is not required to designate one of its officers as the head of its paid service. These Regulations make that provision.