Can a councillor call in a signage decision?

Yes. Councillors may request referral of a delegated signage or advertisement decision to committee where material planning concerns exist; contact democratic services or planning officers for the process.

How do I report an unauthorised sign?

Report suspected breaches to the council's planning enforcement team using the online reporting page or published contact routes on the council website.

Do I always need advertisement consent?

Many signs require advertisement consent; temporary or small signs may be permitted in certain circumstances. Consult the council guidance for criteria and examples.

Liverpool Signage Decisions - Call-in & Scrutiny

Signs and Advertising England 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026

Liverpool, England local decisions about signs and advertising can be made by planning officers under delegated powers or by committee. This guide explains how councillors and members of the public can request call-in or scrutiny of signage decisions, how enforcement works, and where to apply or report suspected breaches in Liverpool, England.

How call-in and scrutiny work

In Liverpool the planning service operates delegated decision-making for many advertisement and signage applications; councillors may ask for a decision to be referred to committee for scrutiny when material planning issues are raised. For practical guidance on advertisement controls and when consent is required see the council guidance on advertising and signs Liverpool City Council - Advertising and signs^[1].

Councillors can request call-in of delegated planning decisions where local planning issues are significant.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of unauthorised signs and non-compliant adverts in Liverpool is carried out by the council's planning enforcement team. Specific monetary penalties and fixed fine amounts are not summarised on the council enforcement guidance page; see the council enforcement contact and reporting page for the current procedures and possible formal actions Report a planning enforcement issue - Liverpool City Council^[2].

Non-monetary remedies: enforcement notices, removal/demolition requirements, discontinuance notices, and injunctions (as set out by the local authority and national planning law).
Fine amounts: not specified on the cited enforcement page.
Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences are handled via progressive enforcement steps; exact escalation fines or ranges are not specified on the council page.
Enforcer and complaints: the Planning Enforcement team at Liverpool City Council accepts reports online and by contact routes listed on the council site Report a planning enforcement issue - Liverpool City Council^[2].
Appeals and reviews: appeal routes against enforcement notices are governed by national procedures; specific time limits for notices or appeals are not specified on the cited council enforcement page.

If you receive an enforcement notice act quickly and seek advice on timescales for compliance or appeal.

Applications & Forms

Advertisement consent applications are submitted through the council's planning application system. The council's advertising guidance refers applicants to the standard planning application process; the advertising page does not publish a separate advert form or fixed fee table and refers applicants to the planning application service for fees and submission instructions Liverpool City Council - Advertising and signs^[1].

How to apply: use the council planning application portal or contact the planning service (see Help and Support / Resources below).
Fees: specific advert consent fees not specified on the advertising guidance page; check the planning application portal or fee schedule.
Deadlines: statutory time limits for decision are set by planning procedure; the advertising guidance page does not list bespoke time limits for call-in requests.

FAQ

Can a councillor call in a signage decision?: Yes. Councillors may request referral of a delegated signage or advertisement decision to committee where material planning concerns exist; contact democratic services or planning officers for the process.
How do I report an unauthorised sign?: Report suspected breaches to the council's planning enforcement team using the online reporting page or published contact routes on the council website Report a planning enforcement issue - Liverpool City Council^[2].
Do I always need advertisement consent?: Many signs require advertisement consent; temporary or small signs may be permitted in certain circumstances. See the council guidance on advertising and signs for criteria and examples Liverpool City Council - Advertising and signs^[1].

How-To

Identify whether the signage needs advertisement consent by consulting the council's advertising guidance and planning officers.
If a decision has been made under delegated powers, contact your local councillor or democratic services to request a call-in with reasons.
If you suspect an enforcement issue, submit a report to the planning enforcement team with photos, location, and a description.
Follow any enforcement notices or committee directions; seek planning advice or make a formal appeal where permitted by the notice.

Key Takeaways

Councillors can request call-in of delegated signage decisions for committee scrutiny where planning issues are material.
Enforcement actions include notices and removal orders; the council's enforcement page should be used to report breaches.