Planning and Architecture

Update on Elected Member Training

November 25, 2025 by planningarchitecture No Comments | Category Planning

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 included mandatory training for elected members as part of a package of measures designed to improve the effectiveness of the planning system as a whole.

In 2023, we consulted on the proposed implementation of mandatory training for elected members in planning. There was broad support for the mandatory element to focus on key principles and knowledge of the planning system and a requirement for elected members to pass a test before undertaking their planning functions. We published a summary of responses in April 2024.

Building on the consultation, we are working with Planning Aid Scotland and the Improvement Service to develop a mandatory training package ahead of the 2027 Local Government elections.

The training package will be hosted on the Improvement Service Councillor Academy portal, and will incorporate a test. We have taken the decision to deliver the training online, to allow elected members flexibility to complete it at a time that suits them.

This training will provide a baseline that Chief Planning Officers can supplement based on local needs, covering additional topics and local matters as they see fit.

The training package will be developed over the spring and will be tested during summer 2026. We will liaise with Heads of Planning Scotland throughout its development. The package will cover:

Importance of a plan led system:

• Overview of the legal framework
• Development plan at a national and local level
• Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Place Plans
• Planning policy and guidance
• The planning system’s contribution to wider strategic priorities
• Wider strategic landscape including the National Performance Framework and UN Strategic Development Goals

Planning application process:

• Types of planning applications and consents and the different considerations and processes
• Hierarchy of development and differences between national, major and local developments
• Overview of the process prior to elected members involvement which includes pre-application consultation, pre-application discussions, validation, fees, consultation, engagement, technical assessments and site visits
• Schemes of delegation
• Customer service

Decision making at committee:

• Overview of the information likely to be contained in committee reports
• How to identify planning considerations by understanding what are material considerations and how they should be treated
• How to consider stakeholder and community views
• Economic impact of planning decisions
• How to take a decision and provide robust reasons for decision
• Use of conditions to ensure they are exercised in a fair, reasonable and practical way
•  The role of statutory consultees and other stakeholders, notification of Ministers, and the difference between quasi-judicial planning decisions and non-quasi-judicial decisions.

Role of elected members:

• Conduct and behaviour
• Understanding at what stage in the process they can talk to planning officers, applicants and communities

Post decision:

• Dispensing conditions
• Legal agreements i.e. planning obligations
• Appeals process
• The role and remit of local review bodies
• Awards of costs
• Enforcement

Tags: Elected Member Training

Comments