Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Paragraph: 78
It is disappointing that local councillors were not mentioned in the White Paper.
Recommendation
It is disappointing that local councillors were not mentioned in the White Paper. They have a key role to play in both Local Plans and individual planning applications We recommend that the Government set out how the valuable role of local councillors will be maintained in the planning system.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges the critical role of local councillors and states that they will continue to maintain democratic control and make decisions on planning applications, upholding existing processes rather than setting out a new plan.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
78
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
29. The Government recognises the critical role that local councillors and leaders play in meeting communities’ needs. Local Authorities and democratically elected councillors will maintain democratic control and provide transparency, while also upholding the integrity of planning decisions. 30. Local authorities – elected councillors – will approve plans, and will continue to make decisions on planning applications, balancing the interests of the community with the rights of the landowner, drawing on advice from local Government planning officers as required.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗