Chapter 4: Grant and Implementation of Planning Permission Chapter 6: Other Provision Section 134: Power of certain bodies to charge fees for advice in relation to applications under the Planning Acts Effect
Subsection (1) enables a prescribed body to charge fees for the provision of advice, information or assistance (including the provision of a response to a consultation) in connection with an application. Subsection (2) defines application as application, proposed application or proposal for a permission, approval or consent under, or for the purposes of, the planning Acts (as defined in section 336 of the TCPA).
	Subsection (3) applies limitations to the charging power, excluding charging in respect of: (a) a response to a consultation a qualifying neighbourhood body (as defined in subsection (4): e.g. a parish council) is required to carry out; and (b) the provision of prescribed advice, information or assistance; or advice, information or assistance of a prescribed description.
	Subsection (5) sets out requirements to ensure transparency and accountability of charging. This includes requiring that a prescribed body can only charge in accordance with a statement published on its website which: describes the advice, information or assistance in respect of which fees are charged; sets out the fees (or, if applicable, the method by which the fees are to be calculated); and refers to any provision in an enactment pursuant to which the advice or information is provided.
	Subsection (6) sets out that subsections (7) and (8) apply where a prescribed body decides to charge in respect of advice on a statutory footing. Subsection (7) enables prescribed bodies to withhold services in the event of non-payment of fees or charges, including withholding advice where a prescribed body is otherwise required to respond.
	Subsections (8) and (9) provide that a prescribed body may only charge fees for their advice on a cost-recovery basis, taking one financial year with another (from April 1st to 31 March) in order that the income generated from fees does not exceed the cost of providing the service.
	Subsection (10) requires that before making regulations under this section the Secretary of State must first carry out consultation with any body likely to be affected, and any other person the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
	Subsection (11) defines ‘fees’.