Change to Councillor Call-in Process
The Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 is the legislation that restricts and effectively removes a ward councillor’s power to “call in” routine planning applications to a planning committee.
Historically, a councillor could request that a specific planning application be brought before a Planning Committee for a democratic vote, rather than letting council staff decide it. The Planning Committee is a cross-party panel of elected councillors. Because political balance on the committee generally mirrors the wider council, the ruling party typically holds the majority vote.
However, because elected councillors are accountable to their local voters, committee decisions can sometimes lean heavily toward localized public sentiment rather than strict technical compliance with broader planning policies.
To address this, from 31 October 2026, the National Scheme of Delegation shifts the default decision-making power for routine applications to professional planning officers. While some argue that officer-led decisions reduce localized democratic input, the transition aims to ensure greater consistency, predictability, and speed by focusing strictly on established planning rules.
Thank you.
Jon
