Local Authority round-up 10 July 2026
10th July, 2026
Our Local Authority round up provides brief summaries of topical information on a weekly basis, to keep you aware of the changes and updates relevant to you.
Regulatory
Court ruling on impact of defective service in s288 challenge: Arun District Council v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2026] EWHC 1172 (Admin).
The High Court’s decision in Arun District Council v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government provides a clear and important restatement of the strict procedural requirements governing statutory review under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
The case comprised a proposed residential development in Pagham, West Sussex. Arun District Council had refused planning permission, but on appeal a planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State allowed the appeal and granted permission for the development. The council subsequently sought to challenge that decision by bringing a statutory claim.
The council issued its claim promptly within the six-week statutory period but difficulties arose in relation to service. Although the claim form was served on the Secretary of State in time, service on the developer defendants was defective. The council attempted to serve via the developers’ planning consultant, who was not authorised to accept the service, and valid service was only effected after the deadline had expired.
The council applied for an extension of time, arguing that the developers did not intend to contest the proceedings and that no prejudice would arise. However, the court rejected this submission and dismissed the claim. It held that compliance with the statutory time limit for service on all defendants is a strict jurisdictional requirement.
Crucially, the court emphasised that a failure to serve all defendants within the prescribed period deprives the court of jurisdiction to entertain the claim at all, even where some parties have been properly served. A section 288 challenge was a single statutory claim, not a separate claim against different defendants. The fact that the unserved parties indicated they did not wish to participate was irrelevant.
The judgment reinforces a consistent line of authority that statutory review procedures in planning cases are to be applied rigorously. Claimants must demonstrate that they have taken “all reasonable steps” to effect service within the statutory period, and post-deadline steps cannot remedy earlier failures.
For more information, please click here.
Health and Social Care
10 Year Capital Plan to rebuild NHS and bring care closer to home
Government announces 10 Year Capital Plan to modernise NHS buildings, upgrade GP surgeries and bring more care closer to patients’ homes.
The modernisation plan is backed by the capital budget for health, rising to £15 billion in 2029/30 and sets out how the government will rebuild, renew and modernise the NHS. It replaces years of short-term, stop-start investment with a long-term approach, helping the service deliver major projects that modernise facilities, upgrade technology and deliver better care for patients.
Government investment has already funded almost 800 upgrades to GP surgeries across England, helping practices create space for an estimated 9 million extra appointments. A further £200 million will help more GP surgeries expand and modernise, helping patients more easily receive care closer to home and reducing pressure on hospitals.
The plan also sets out how unused NHS land can be turned into affordable homes for healthcare workers. Nursers, porters, healthcare assistants and other NHS staff will be able to rent homes close to the hospitals where they work, helping them spend less time commuting and making it easier for the NHS to recruit and keep staff in areas where housing costs are higher.
For more information, please click here.
Education
Attorney General launches free Rule of Law lesson plans for every school in England and Wales
The lesson plans which aim to teach young people about their rights and the legal system, have been developed with expert educators and shaped by feedback from teachers. Resources range from introductory lessons for five-year-olds exploring why rules exist, to more complex material examining contemporary threats to the rule of law.
Each lesson is accompanied by task worksheets, explainer videos and quizzes. The key stages one to four plans are free for teachers to download from the Oak National Academy’s website.
For more information, please click here.
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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