The Strategic Planning Committee of Westminster Council is scheduled to consider proposed changes to how planning applications are determined and how the council engages with the public on planning matters. The meeting will also include an update on upcoming training for committee members.

Implementing the National Scheme of Delegations

A significant item on the agenda concerns the implementation of a new National Scheme of Delegation for planning decision-making, as introduced by the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026. This national framework, which must be in place by 31 October 2026, will establish a two-tier system for determining planning applications, differentiating between those that must be decided by officers and those that may be referred to a planning committee. The report pack indicates that approximately 38% of applications considered by the committee in 2025-26 would no longer have been eligible for committee consideration under these new arrangements, potentially reducing the committee's caseload by around a third. The report outlines the implications for Westminster Council, including necessary amendments to its constitution and the establishment of a new gateway process for referring Schedule 2 applications to committee. This process will require agreement from both the Chief Planning Officer and a nominated member that a proposal raises significant economic, social, or environmental issues, or substantial planning matters. The council's response to the government's consultation on these changes in 2025 is also referenced.

Consultation and Engagement Approach for Planning in Westminster

The committee is also scheduled to receive an overview of recent changes to the national planning system, specifically The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, and their impact on planning policy and consultation activities in Westminster. These regulations introduce a revised, five-stage process for preparing Local Plans, with a statutory 30-month timeframe and enhanced early engagement requirements. Westminster Council has begun preparing a new City Plan under this framework and is currently in the 'Get Ready' stage. The report details how the council has reviewed and updated its planning policy engagement framework, resulting in a new document titled 'Consultation and Engagement Approach for Planning in Westminster'. This updated approach aims to provide a clear framework for stakeholder participation in the preparation of the new City Plan and future planning policy work. The previous requirement for a 'Statement of Community Involvement' (SCI) has been removed by the 2026 Regulations, but the council intends to maintain a clear framework for community involvement through this new standalone document, which will focus on planning policy. The report highlights key changes from the previous SCI, including updated legislative references, expanded guidance on engagement at each stage of the new City Plan process, and updated consultation methods.

Upcoming Training

The committee is also scheduled to receive a verbal update on upcoming training sessions for its members.