General Power of Competence
Also called the Power of First Resort, GPC gives a council greater freedom to act on behalf of its community. It allows councils to do anything an ordinary person could do. To qualify for GPC councils must have a qualified clerk and two thirds of its councillors must be elected.
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Skills and Knowledge Gaps
A competent council understands its collective skills and identifies any gaps. When co-opting, councils should choose candidates who bring missing expertise, experience or community insight. Strengthened competence also includes ensuring committees and working groups have the right mix of people — including non-councillors where appropriate.
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Continuity & Council Memory
Stable councils plan for continuity. This includes maintaining clear records, ensuring smooth handovers, and having practical arrangements for clerk absence or unexpected change. Good continuity planning protects organisational knowledge and supports long-term community resilience.
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Being a Good Employer
Strong councils support their clerk and staff through fair, lawful and proactive HR practices. Strengthened competence means regular appraisals, workload checks, development plans and creating a positive working culture that prevents issues from escalating.
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Planning
Effective engagement with the planning system helps councils influence development, protect local character and respond confidently to applications. Building planning competence means understanding the basics, knowing what is (and isn’t) a material consideration, and staying up to date with changes to policy and legislation. This section supports councillors and clerks to strengthen their planning knowledge and respond more effectively on behalf of their community.
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