News | Posted November 26, 2025
Mandatory elected member training: what you need to know
Planning Aid Scotland is working with the Scottish Government to develop content for mandatory training for elected members on the planning system. The aim is to enhance the quality of decision-making across Scotland to build public confidence in the planning process. We are working alongside the Improvement Service to develop this online package, which is due to be rolled out before the 2027 Local Government elections. Read on for an update.
Background
Elected members have a crucial role in the decision-making process within the planning system including the determination of certain planning applications for their local authority. Elected members do not necessarily have a planning background, so adequate training is vital to ensure they have the knowledge and understanding needed to make robust and sound planning decisions – ultimately enhancing the quality of decision-making and building trust in the system.
The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced mandatory training for elected members, alongside a package of measures to improve the performance of the planning system as a whole. Section 45 will prohibit elected members from carrying out certain planning functions if they have not completed training specified by Scottish Ministers.
From consultation to delivery
The Scottish Government held workshops with key stakeholders in 2022, followed by a consultation in 2023 on the approach to mandatory elected member training.
In early 2025, Planning Aid Scotland developed a high–level route map setting out a clear and structured approach to meeting the training requirements. We held interviews with key stakeholders across multiple sectors to gather information on the topics to be included and to hear suggestions on the format of the training and test.
We are now working with the Scottish Government and the Improvement Service to develop the content for the training package which will be rolled out ahead of the 2027 Local Government elections.
What will the training package look like?
The training package will be developed in spring 2026, with testing scheduled for summer 2026. The content will be hosted online on the Improvement Service Councillor Academy portal and will incorporate a test. This training will provide a baseline that Chief Planning Officers can supplement based on local needs, covering additional topics and local matters as they see fit.
The training package will cover the following themes:
- The importance of a plan led system
- The planning application process
- Decision making at committee
- The role of elected members
- What happens post decision
Read the full update from the Scottish Government’s Planning and Architecture Division on the status of elected member training.
