The General Purposes Committee of Gloucester Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to discuss proposed changes to the council's constitution regarding the determination of planning applications and the removal of a requirement to declare party whipping in overview and scrutiny meetings. The committee recommended the adoption of a new national scheme for planning application delegation and the removal of the party whip declaration rule.

National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Applications

The committee considered a report recommending amendments to the council's Constitution, including the Planning and Development Code of Practice and Scheme of Delegation, to comply with the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026. These regulations, effective from 31 October 2026, introduce a national framework for determining planning applications, categorising them into Schedule 1 (mandatory officer delegation) and Schedule 2 (presumed officer delegation, but with potential referral to Planning Committee).

Councillor Stephanie Chambers, Leader of the Conservative Group, questioned who would determine whether an application fell into Schedule 1 or Schedule 2. Claire Haslam, Planning Development Management and Heritage Manager, explained that the legislation itself provides definitions for these categories, which the planning team is familiar with.

Councillor Alastair Chambers, Leader of the Community Independent Group, raised concerns about the potential loss of community connection if significant applications were no longer automatically brought before the committee. He also enquired about the impact on conservation areas. Ms. Haslam reassured members that while the call-in procedure for Schedule 1 applications would be removed, the democratic process for significant Schedule 2 applications would remain, with referral to the Planning Committee possible if agreed by the nominated officer and member, and if they met specific National Gateway Tests related to economic, social, environmental, or significant planning matters. She also clarified that conservation areas would continue to be assessed under existing local and national policies.

The committee was informed that the new legislation aims to bring consistency across the country, as some authorities have faced significant costs due to appeals against planning decisions. Councillor Jeremy Hilton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Chair of the committee, noted that Gloucester has a good track record with appeals and decisions, and that this legislation would impact other authorities more significantly.

The committee unanimously recommended the adoption of the proposed constitutional amendments to Council.

Constitutional Changes: Removal of Party Whip Declaration

The committee also considered a report proposing changes to the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules within the Council's Constitution, specifically the removal of the requirement for members to declare if they are subject to a party whip. Currently, this is a formal agenda item at Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

Councillor Stephanie Chambers endorsed the recommendation, stating that her group does not whip on scrutiny matters and that the committee functions best with trust and independence. Councillor Alastair Chambers agreed, emphasizing that scrutiny is technically non-political and requires members to work collaboratively regardless of party affiliation. Councillor Declan Wilson, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, also supported the removal, noting that such a requirement is not present in scrutiny committees elsewhere and has not been found necessary.

The committee agreed that the removal of this procedural requirement would align the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules with the broader legislative framework in England, which does not mandate such declarations. The recommendation was made to Council for approval.