The use of call-in: guidance for English authorities
This is one of three connected publications, all aiming to provide technical advice on the operation and review of critical elements of governance framework for local authorities in England. Between them, the three publications look at:
▪ Call-in;
▪ The operation of schemes of delegation to support decision-making;
▪ The review of Council constitutions
This guide covers the law relating to call-in for English local authorities only. Call-in is also a feature of the governance framework for Welsh authorities, but the legal basis is different. Welsh members and officers should have regard to separate statutory guidance produced by the Welsh Government.
Call-in arrangements in combined authorities are different to those described in this paper. More information can be found in “Combined authority scrutiny: a plain English guide” (CfGS, 2021).
The paper has been produced by the CFGS using funding from HM Government and with the support of Bevan Brittan LLP, Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO).
About the Author: Ed Hammond
Ed leads CfGS's work on devolution, transformation and on support to councils and other public bodies on governance and accountability.
