Region at a glance
How responsibilities are divided:councils remain responsible for their statutory local services. SEND and EHCP duties sit with the relevant council. Strategic and combined authorities exercise selected devolved functions such as transport, skills, investment, housing programmes and economic development, but they do not replace the councils.
Local-government change:devolution and local-government reorganisation may alter some structures, boundaries or responsibilities. Always verify the current responsible authority before relying on a procedure, deadline or contact.
Independent disclaimer:Right First Time UK is not operated by or affiliated with any council, strategic authority, NHS organisation, police force, fire service or government department. Official websites and processes can change.
14 councilsAll authorities in the requested South West list.
2 devolved structuresWest of England and Greater Devon.
7 NHS systemsSouth West integrated-care areas.
0–25 SENDEach relevant council must publish a Local Offer.
20-week EHCP frameworkSubject to limited statutory exceptions.
FOI, EIR and SARSeparate rights for different information.
Find a council or topic
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South West councils
Official routes for democratic records, public money, planning, SEND and accountability.
CouncilWest of England
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilDorset
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilWest of England
Bristol Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilCornwall
Cornwall Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilDevon
Devon Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilDorset
Dorset Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilGloucestershire
Gloucestershire Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilWest of England
North Somerset Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilDevon
Plymouth Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilSomerset
Somerset Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilWest of England
South Gloucestershire Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilWiltshire & Swindon
Swindon Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilDevon
Torbay Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
CouncilWiltshire & Swindon
Wiltshire Council
Official routes for council decisions, spending, planning, SEND, complaints and information rights.
Democracy and governance
Finance and transparency
- Budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Annual accounts, external audit and governance statement
- Spending over £500 and transparency data
- Contracts, tenders, procurement and contract register
- Senior pay, pay policy and allowances
- Council land, property and assets
- Strategies, performance and council plan
- Internal audit, audit committee and risk
Services and rights
- Planning and development information
- SEND Local Offer
- EHCP, SENDIASS and school transport
- Housing, homelessness and allocations
- Adult and children's social care
- Complaints and compliments
- FOI and Environmental Information (EIR)
- Data protection and Subject Access Requests (SAR)
- Publication scheme, disclosure log and open data
Devolution and regional public services
Use these records when powers, funding or decisions operate across council boundaries.
West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Strategic transport, skills, housing, economic development and devolved investment for Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Greater Devon Combined County Authority
A non-mayoral strategic authority for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, with functions relating to transport, skills, housing, economic development and investment.
South West Councils
Regional network for local-authority collaboration, policy and representation.
Regional transport and infrastructure
Police and fire services
SEND and EHCP transparency
National legal duties apply alongside each council’s Local Offer and local procedures.
Core legal framework
Assessment, plans and provision
Track the assessment request, decision, professional evidence, draft plan, final plan, placement and delivery of Section F provision.
Statistics and inspection
Independent SEND support
Public finance, contracts and audit
Follow spending from approval through procurement, payment, delivery and audit.
Documents to compare
- Annual revenue budget and medium-term financial plan.
- Capital programme and project business cases.
- Budget-monitoring and savings reports.
- Statement of accounts and annual governance statement.
- Payments to suppliers and purchasing-card data.
- Contract register, tender and award notices.
- Senior pay, staffing structures and exit payments.
- Audit committee and external-auditor reports.
National procurement searches
Audit and value for money
Planning, housing and regeneration
Check local application records alongside strategic plans, development bodies and appeals.
Planning evidence checklist
- Application form, drawings and supporting statements.
- Consultation responses and statutory-consultee advice.
- Officer report and committee debate.
- Decision notice, conditions and stated reasons.
- Section 106 agreement and infrastructure contributions.
- Enforcement history and appeal records.
Policy and appeals
Housing and homelessness oversight
Health, education, social care and public safety
Regional NHS systems and external inspection routes.
South West Integrated Care Boards
Regional and inspection bodies
Schools and inspections
Adult and children's social care
Statistics and public data
Complaints, information rights and national scrutiny
Choose the route that matches the information or remedy required.
Public and environmental information
Your personal information
Maladministration and service failure
National scrutiny
Public transparency checklist
- Identify whether the council, combined authority, NHS body, police force or another organisation owns the decision.
- Search committee papers, forward plans, delegated decisions and registers before submitting an FOI request.
- Save the report, meeting date, agenda item, decision-maker, vote and declared interests.
- Compare the approved budget or business case with monitoring reports, final spending and measured outcomes.
- Search council contract registers, Contracts Finder and Find a Tender.
- For planning matters, retain the officer report, decision notice, conditions, obligations and appeal records.
- Use FOI for recorded public information, EIR for environmental information and SAR for your own personal data.
- Request an internal review where an FOI or EIR response is incomplete or poorly reasoned.
- Complete the relevant complaint process before escalating to an Ombudsman unless a statutory appeal route applies.
- Retain dated copies because online documents can change.
EHCP accountability checklist
- Save proof of when the council received the assessment request.
- Track the six-week decision point and the overall statutory process.
- Request every education, health, psychology and social-care advice document.
- Ensure Section B records all needs and Section F specifies and quantifies provision.
- Check relevant health and social-care provision in Sections G and H.
- Respond in writing to the draft plan and state the preferred placement.
- Record every occasion when final-plan provision is not delivered.
- Use annual reviews to update needs, outcomes, provision and placement.
- Use tribunal rights for appealable decisions and complaints for delay, maladministration or service failure.