PLC Public Sector reports:
Make sure that you have not missed a key development in your area of the law by reviewing our latest list of recommended actions.
Localism Bill: local authorities will be interested in the policy statements that have been issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government. These address issues on assets of community value and the community right to challenge that were raised at the Lords Committee stage and in responses to the consultation published on 4 February 2011.
Equality Act 2010: those acting for local authorities, schools and public authorities should be aware that the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/2260) have been made and came into force on 10 September 2011. The regulations require the public bodies listed in the regulations to provide information demonstrating compliance with section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 and to publish objectives for achieving the aims set out in section 149 by either 31 January 2012 or 6 April 2012 (depending on the type of public authority).
Pensions: the decision of the Pensions Ombudsman is a reminder to local authority pension officers that the local authority, as scheme manager for the Local Government Pension Scheme, is primarily responsible for ensuring the accuracy of a forecast of pension pensions that are available on a redundancy. If the forecast that is given is incorrect, the local authority is responsible for the foreseeable consequences of providing the incorrect information.
Planning: planning lawyers should familiarise themselves with:
- The new guide on searches of the index of proprietors’ names that has been issued by the Land Registry.
- The new planning regulations that have been issued, which:
- Create permitted development rights to install, alter or replace electric vehicle charging points.
- Give deemed consent to advertisements placed on electric vehicle charging points by energy suppliers.
- Provide for payment of compensation in certain circumstances when planning permission for development is withdrawn.
Procurement: following a procurement process organised by European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the General Court has upheld EMSA’s decision to reject the applicant’s tender because it did not conform with a condition of the tender specification that the contract period should be for three years.
Consultations: this week consultations have been published on: