National scheme of delegation
Councils are preparing for the national scheme of delegation, which alters how planning applications are determined from October 2026.
Hackney Council is reforming its planning decision-making processes in anticipation of the national scheme of delegation, which comes into effect on 31 October 2026. In July 2026, the Constitution Committee agreed to recommend substantial changes to the Planning Committee's terms of reference, including elevating the Planning Sub-Committee to a standalone committee. These reforms, driven by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, will alter committee size and composition, delegate more functions to officers, and introduce mandatory training for members.
Other councils are also addressing the upcoming changes to how planning applications are determined. Westminster Council's Strategic Planning Committee discussed national planning regulations in July 2026, and Redbridge Council's General Purposes Committee considered reforms to Planning Committees in July 2026. Harrow Council resolved in July 2026 to oppose proposed government changes that would diminish the role of planning committees.
The national scheme of delegation, mandated by the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, is a government initiative to standardise decision-making in planning. It outlines which planning applications can be decided by officers and which must be referred to planning committees, aiming to streamline the planning process.
Key facts
- The national scheme of delegation comes into effect on 31 October 2026. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
- Hackney's Constitution Committee agreed in July 2026 to recommend elevating the Planning Sub-Committee to a standalone committee. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
- The reforms are driven by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
- Hackney's reforms will delegate more planning functions to council officers. Source 1 Source 2
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.