Where can I find my council’s scheme of delegation?

Check your local authority’s constitution or governance pages; London boroughs and the City publish their delegations as part of the online constitution or governance section. For London-wide governance see the Greater London Authority governance pages.

Does a scheme of delegation set fines?

No: schemes allocate decision-making powers; fines and sanction levels are set in the underlying statutory enforcement regimes or specific bylaws and are not typically shown on the delegation pages.

How do I challenge a delegated decision?

Request the council’s internal review or complaints process, ask for a review under the council’s constitution, and if unresolved consider referral to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or judicial review where appropriate.

London Scheme of Delegation and Decision Powers

Business and Consumer Protection England 4 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026

In London, England local councils and the Greater London Authority publish a scheme of delegation to explain which officers and committees may make decisions on behalf of the authority. This guide summarizes how schemes operate in London, who enforces delegated decisions, how to challenge or review decisions, and where to find official constitutions and decision-making documents for your borough or the City of London. Links point to official council and Greater London Authority pages; specific penalties or fees are noted only where published on those official sources and otherwise identified as not specified on the cited page.

What is a scheme of delegation

A scheme of delegation is a formal part of a council constitution that allocates decision-making powers from elected bodies to committees, individual members, or officers. Schemes typically list delegated functions, limits on financial or policy discretion, and any conditions for referral to full council. For London-wide governance and GLA delegations see the Greater London Authority guidance Greater London Authority governance and decision making^[1].

Schemes of delegation simplify routine decisions while reserving major policy choices for elected members.

How decisions are delegated in London boroughs and the City

Borough constitutions and the City of London set out delegations differently but share common elements: delegated officers (chief executive, directors), financial thresholds, and referral rules back to committees or full council. Examples of how this is published can be found on City of London governance pages and borough constitutions City of London governance^[2] and an example borough constitution Camden Council constitution^[3].

Delegated functions usually list specific statutes or subject areas (planning, licensing, housing).
Financial limits or approval thresholds determine when officer decisions must be referred to committee.
Conditions such as consultation or mandatory reports are often included.
Some delegations are subject to oversight by standards, scrutiny, or audit committees.

Check your local council constitution to see the exact wording and limits for delegations in your area.

Penalties & Enforcement

Schemes of delegation themselves do not usually impose fines; they allocate decision-making authority rather than set criminal or civil penalties. Where a delegated decision leads to enforcement action under a statutory bylaw (for example planning enforcement or licensing breaches), the penalties and procedures are those set out in the relevant statutory regime and the enforcing service. Where a council document does not state penalty amounts, this guide notes that the figure is not specified on the cited page and directs you to the enforcing department for details.

Monetary penalties: not specified on the cited scheme pages; see the relevant enforcement code or service page for amounts and scales.
Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures are handled under the specific enforcement regime and are not specified on the cited delegation pages.
Non-monetary sanctions: orders, injunctions, suspensions, seizure of goods and remedial works are commonly available remedies under statutory enforcement powers.
Enforcer and complaints: individual enforcement functions are carried out by the relevant service (e.g., Planning Enforcement, Environmental Health, Licensing) within the council; contact details appear on each council service page.
Appeals and reviews: internal review procedures, complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, and judicial review are common routes; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited delegation pages.

Enforcing department and appeal contacts vary by authority; consult the council’s service pages or constitution for precise channels and time limits. Where a scheme page lacks penalty or time-limit detail, the scheme will be cited as not specifying those figures and you should use the enforcement service links for precise fees, forms and deadlines.^[3]

If you are affected by a delegated decision, act quickly to request an internal review and preserve records.

Applications & Forms

Delegation schemes themselves rarely require an application form; instead, they explain who may make decisions and how to obtain reports or records. For specific enforcement actions (for example licensing applications or planning consents) councils publish forms and fee schedules on their service pages. The cited constitution and governance pages do not list a single universal form for delegation and therefore do not publish one specific form for delegation matters.^[3]

Common violations and typical outcomes

Unauthorised work affecting planning conditions — possible enforcement notice, remedial works and fines under planning enforcement regimes.
Unlicensed activity (e.g., temporary events) — suspension of permission, fixed penalty or prosecution where the licensing regime provides for it.
Failure to comply with regulatory notices — remedial action, prosecution, or costs recovery.

For the exact remedy in any case, consult the enforcement service page for the statutory regime that applies.

FAQ

Where can I find my council’s scheme of delegation?: Check your local authority’s constitution or governance pages; London boroughs and the City publish their delegations as part of the online constitution or governance section. For London-wide governance see the Greater London Authority governance pages.^[1]
Does a scheme of delegation set fines?: No: schemes allocate decision-making powers; fines and sanction levels are set in the underlying statutory enforcement regimes or specific bylaws and are not typically shown on the delegation pages.^[3]
How do I challenge a delegated decision?: Request the council’s internal review or complaints process, ask for a review under the council’s constitution, and if unresolved consider referral to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or judicial review where appropriate.

How-To

Identify the decision: obtain the delegated decision record or committee report from the council’s governance pages.
Gather evidence: collect emails, applications, licences, and any correspondence relating to the decision.
Request internal review: follow the council’s published complaints or review procedure and submit a written request within any stated time limit.
Escalate: if unsatisfied, contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or seek legal advice about judicial review.
Preserve records: keep deadlines and receipts for filings and note decision dates for any statutory appeal windows.

Key Takeaways

Schemes of delegation explain who may decide, not the enforcement penalties.
Find exact powers and contacts in your council constitution and the relevant service pages.