The Strategic Planning (Costs of Public Examinations) (Standard Daily Amount) (England) Regulations 2026

The document establishes a uniform daily rate of £993 to ensure consistency in the recovery of costs for public examinations conducted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

The explanatory note states that the regulations allow for the charging of an "appropriate proportion" of the daily rate, providing flexibility for work that does not occupy a full day.

Proponents argue that setting a standard amount provides financial predictability for local authorities or bodies responsible for the costs of these examinations.

The government asserts that a full impact assessment was not required because the instrument is foreseen to have no significant impact on the private, voluntary, or public sectors.

Legal observers may note that the regulations do not specify how an "appropriate proportion" of the £993 fee is calculated for partial days, potentially leading to inconsistent billing practices.

Local authorities may express concern regarding the budgetary impact of the £993 daily rate, particularly for lengthy or complex examinations that require extensive preparatory work.

Critics might question the lack of a formal impact assessment, arguing that even if the individual impact is deemed minor, the cumulative cost of strategic planning examinations across all English authorities could be substantial.