s 319ZZA Training: local planning authorities in England
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for and in connection with the training of members of local planning authorities in their exercise of such relevant planning functions as are prescribed. (2) Such regulations must provide for satisfactory completion of the training to be evidenced by a certificate valid for a prescribed period (a “certificate of completion”). (3) A member of a local planning authority who does not hold a valid certificate of completion is prohibited from— (a) exercising the prescribed relevant planning functions on behalf of a local planning authority, or (b) being involved in exercising the prescribed relevant planning functions on behalf of a local planning authority as a member of a committee or any other body. (4) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular— (a) provide for accreditation by the Secretary of State of— (i) courses of training, and (ii) persons providing such courses; (b) impose requirements as to record-keeping, including by imposing such requirements on a training provider. (5) Regulations under subsection (1) must require a local planning authority to publish on their website which of their members hold valid certificates of completion. (6) The validity of anything done in the exercise of a prescribed relevant planning function is not affected by any breach of subsection (3). (7) In this section— (a) references to a local planning authority are to a local planning authority in England; (b) references to a member of a local planning authority include a person who (though not a member of a local planning authority) is an appointed member of a committee or sub-committee of a local planning authority. (8) This section applies in relation to a relevant planning function conferred on a mineral planning authority as if references to a local planning authority were to a mineral planning authority in England. (9) In this section, “ relevant planning function ” means— (a) a function under— (i) Part 3; (ii) in Part 7, sections 191(4) and 192(2); (iii) Part 8; (iv) in Part 10, section 257; (b) a function under section 17 of the Land Compensation Act 1961; (c) a function under Part 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 ; (d) a function of imposing or amending any condition, limitation or other restriction on a permission, approval or consent required by or under an enactment specified in paragraph (a) or (c); (e) an enforcement function exercisable in relation to— (i) development carried out without a permission, approval or consent required by or under an enactment specified in paragraph (a) or (c), or (ii) a failure to comply with any condition, limitation or other restriction of any such permission, approval or consent. (10) In subsection (9) any reference to a function under an enactment includes a function under an instrument made under the enactment.