Lessons in public consultation: High Court finds failures in local authority’s consideration of consultation responses
15 May 2025
Insight Hub
1 May 2025
With local elections taking place this week, Returning Officers and their teams may be considering what options are open to the disgruntled candidate or elector who seeks to challenge a result. Emyr Thomas explains. Problems at the count? Act quickly! If, following the declaration, something significant happens which could give rise to a challenge (for…
Read more11 February 2025
On 10 December 2024, the Court of Appeal delivered a significant judgment in Test Valley Borough Council v Chala Fiske [2024] EWCA Civ 1541, providing essential guidance on the scope of planning condition variations permissible under section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This decision has substantial implications for local planning authorities…
Read more4 February 2025
Introducing our definitive work on heat network regulation – a comprehensive guide that cuts through the complexity of a rapidly evolving regulatory regime. In this landmark analysis, we have meticulously scrutinised every aspect of the forthcoming Heat Networks (Market Framework Regulations) 2025, the accompanying consultations, and the draft authorisation conditions. With the regulatory landscape still…
Read more24 January 2025
Simon Kiely, a Partner in Sharpe Pritchard’s Dispute Resolution team, acted for Lewes District Council in prosecuting national building materials supplier Travis Perkins. The prosecution came about for offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (the Act) following a fatal accident involving wood falling from one of their delivery vehicles. At…
Read more20 December 2024
After Brexit, much of the EU law that applied to the UK was retained in domestic law. Section 6 of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (REUL Act) aimed to amend certain provisions within section 6 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (‘EUWA’). It was designed to allow the UK Court…
Read more18 December 2024
Overview On 16 December 2024, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (“MHCLG”) released the English Devolution White Paper (the “White Paper”), setting out plans to develop devolution in England with the intention of “unleashing power from Whitehall back into local communities that know their areas best”. The Government announced plans to merge local…
Read more25 September 2024
On 8 August 2024, the Charity Commission updated its Guidance “Local authorities (or councils) and as trustees of charities”. The Charity Commission also published a shortened version for councillors, jointly with the Local Government Association “Local authorities (or councils) as trustees of charities – a guide for councillors”. This new important guidance: Outlines what is…
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