Local Authority Structures and PLMRs Planning Practice

Purpose of this Training Session

1. To describe the various types of local authority in the UK 2. To explain who determines planning applications and why 3. To explain more about local authority structures a) Councillors and Officers b) Council structure - physical c) Ward Councillors d) Committees 4. To explain how applications are determined within a Council To provide a clearer understanding of the structure and process of local authorities in relation to planning

Council Types - 1
Level County Planning Responsibility Highways, Waste (including Energy from Waste), Education Almost all other applications (Housing, Retail, Care Homes etc.) None (but can be influential on others above)

District/Borough

Town/Parish

Council Types - 2 County Unitary Authorities

District/Borough
Most metropolitan councils are unitary authorities All London Boroughs are unitary authorities

All Scottish and Welsh Councils are unitary authorities

Who Else Can Determine an Application?

National Parks Authorities

The Secretary of State Infrastructure Planning Commission

The Planning Inspectorate The Mayor of London

Basic Council Structure the People

Elected Members Leader / Directly Elected Mayor Cabinet Council Officers Chief Executive Heads of Departments

Councillors
Committees (Planning Committee)

Officers
Departments (Planning Department)

Councillors normally represent one of the three main parties and face re-election every four years Officers are full-time employees of the Council apply for a role, can be promoted, sacked etc.

Basic Council Structure Physical

Each Council is physically divided into a number of Wards

London Borough of Lambeth (right) has 21 Wards

Basic Council Structure Wards

Each Ward is represented by between 1 and 3 Councillors (depending upon population density)

What do Ward Councillors Do?

Councillors are responsible for local casework helping people who live within their Ward Councillors may speak in favour of, or against a planning application in their Ward

Ward Councillors opinions are often critical to a planning application

Councillors sit on Committees

WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISION-MAKING STRUCTURE

The decision-making structure and the terms of reference of each committee are detailed in full in the council Constitution, as s well as the extent of authority delegated to each committee. The Constitution is formally approved and members of the Cabinet and committees are appointed at the Annual Meeting of the council in May each year.

Basic Council Structure Committees

COUNCIL

Standards Committee

Empt & Appeals Committee

Planning Applications Committee

Licensing Committee

Cabinet
(Executive)

Overview & Scrutiny Committees

Joint Consultative & Safety Panel

Corporate Services Watchdog

Community Watchdog

Customer Services Watchdog

Portfolio Holders Officer Delegation

Basic Council Structure Committees

The Cabinet/Executive Comprises the Leader and several Cabinet Members Cabinet Members hold Portfolios (key policy areas of responsibility) Portfolios can include
Planning Adult Services Environment Children & Young People Climate Change

Cabinet Members work with Officers to make Council policy Cabinet is held to account by Scrutiny Committees and Full Council

Basic Council Structure Committees

Planning Committees Two common types of Planning Committee Area Committee - determines applications within a designated geographical area (normally three or four adjoining Wards). Membership comprises the Ward Councillors within the area Council-wide Planning Committee membership comprises a politically proportionate cross-section of Councillors Committees only consider approx. 10-15% of planning applications

Basic Council Structure Committees

How else can an application be determined?

Officer delegation majority of applications

Full Council Some local authorities will require full Council ratification of key decisions

Strategic Planning Committee To determine applications with Council-wide implications

Appeal to Planning Inspectorate

What Does This Mean to Us?

We must understand the different types of local authority We must recognise which type of authority our client is dealing with (does our client know?) We must know who to speak to at each level We must know which Parish, Ward, Electoral Division our clients site is in We must make friends with our Ward Councillors We must communicate clearly and effectively to the right people

Thank You
Any Questions?
Call us on 0207 622 9529 or email info@plmr.co.uk