The General Power of Competence was introduced in the Localism Act 2011 and came into effect in February 2012. The power is radical in that it allows a council to act as an individual would. (See OALC briefing note in the members Area of this website under OALC briefings and presentations). Town and parish councils can only use the Power if they satisfy the eligibility criteria which are:

• two thirds of councillors have stood for election (they may have stood unopposed)

• the clerk is qualified - Cilca or higher recognised qualifications

• the council resolves to grant itself the Power.

The number of councils in Oxfordshire with GPC is limited. There is no official record kept but we estimate approx 10% of 249 councils may have GPC.

The Local Government Association published research in 2013 on the use that GPC had been put to. It is available here