Planning committees and delegation

The government’s proposed reforms to planning committees and delegation arrangements are about to introduce a new era of governance for local authorities.

Officer delegation will be the default route for most applications. The ability for ward councillors to request that applications be referred for decision to committee, or for applications to automatically trigger consideration by committee based on the number of objections received will no longer be available.

The draft regulations set out the division of responsibilities. Schedule 1 sets out all application types that must always be determined by officers, with no scope for referral to committee including householder applications, minor developments, prior approvals, certificates of lawfulness, discharge of conditions and similar routine matters.

Schedule 2 then defines the limited types of applications that may be considered for committee, but only where the statutory “significance” criteria are met and both the chief planning officer (CPO) and the nominated member agree that referral is justified. Committee consideration should be exceptional rather than routine.

The new system in practice

So, how will the new system work in practice? At the centre of it all sit the CPO and a nominated member (most likely the chair of planning committee), whose respective roles will become key to making the new model work.

The CPO and nominated member will be jointly accountable for decisions on referral to committee. This creates an entirely new governance relationship. While the CPO will bring professional planning judgement and operational oversight, the nominated member will bring democratic accountability and political awareness. Together, they form the only gateway through which Schedule 2 cases can reach committee.

For this system to function effectively, strong working relationships, mutual trust, and clear communication between officers and members are going to be essential. Any breakdown risks inconsistent decisions, delays, or legal challenges. 

Authorities will need to ensure their schemes of delegation, committee terms of reference, and internal protocols align with the national scheme. The joint CPO–nominated member process should be clearly defined, documented and auditable.

In addition, transparent recording of referral decisions and a shared understanding between officers and members will be vital to maintaining public confidence.

With this new system, the nominated member becomes the focal point for democratic oversight, making training, role clarity and expectation‑setting essential.

The success of the new delegation model will depend heavily on how well the CPO and nominated member work together, how effectively they communicate, and how confidently they navigate the boundary between professional judgement and democratic oversight.

Local authorities that invest early in governance frameworks, training, and relationship‑building will be best placed to manage the transition.

Nagla Stevens is a Legal Director in the planning and environmental team at Birketts.

Consultation documents

Consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-committee-reform-draft-regulations-and-guidance/planning-committee-reform-statutory-consultation-on-draft-regulations-and-guidance

Draft guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-committee-reform-draft-regulations-and-guidance/planning-committees-and-the-national-scheme-of-delegation-of-planning-functions-draft-guidance-for-local-planning-authorities-in-england

Draft regulations (PDF): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69bc0c1c4c478213a823ce5b/Draft_Discharge_of_Local_Planning_Authority_Functions_Regulations.pdf