Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) has updated its significant infrastructure project (SIP) guidance collection, adding seven guides on working with public bodies during infrastructure consenting in Wales. The overarching guidance advises early engagement and states that applicants must formally consult statutory or specialist consultees at the pre-application stage and should continue discussions where issues remain unresolved. It covers public bodies' roles in environmental impact assessment scoping, the examination of applications and the discharge of Infrastructure Consent Order requirements. Applicants should use statutory and discretionary advice services where available and discuss potential cost-recovery fees at the outset. Six accompanying guides cover Natural Resources Wales, the Health and Safety Executive, the Office for Nuclear Regulation, Cadw, Heneb, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, the Welsh Government's Land Quality Advice Service and the Welsh Government Common Land Team. They address environmental assessments, major accident hazards, nuclear regulation, heritage protection, agricultural land classification and common land.

Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) has published guidance on the planning appeals process in Wales. The guidance outlines when and how to appeal a planning decision, noting that appeals must be made within six months of the local planning authority (LPA)’s decision notice and can only be submitted by the original applicant. It also sets out the expected timescales for decisions: 14 weeks for appeals proceeding by written representations, 21 weeks for those requiring a hearing, and 29 weeks for appeals requiring an inquiry. The document further explains the procedures for recovered appeals.

Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) has published guidance listing the consultees it will notify at the commencement of a Significant Infrastructure Project (SIP) examination, with minimum consultation requirements set out in the Infrastructure Consent (Pre-Application and Application Procedure and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025.

Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) has published a service update on the Development of National Significance (DNS) and related applications. In recent months, PEDW has experienced a significant uplift in the number of DNS applications, where this means there are likely to be delays to the acceptance and starting of DNS applications.

Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) has published the significant infrastructure projects application form. This form must be used to apply for infrastructure consent for a large project in Wales. It forms part of the Significant infrastructure projects (SIP): guidance collection.

The Pre-Emption Group (PEG) has published a report on the adoption of its updated Statement of Principles on disapplication of pre-emption rights for UK listed companies. The report covers annual general meetings from November 2022 to July 2023 and has found that 55.7% of FTSE 350 companies with an AGM during the study period sought enhanced disapplication authority allowed under the new Principles. 65.7% of these companies requested authority for a specified capital investment and 98.3% had all disapplication resolutions passed by shareholders, with only a small number seeing significant dissent.

This Practice Note is intended for law firms. It covers some frequently asked questions in relation to politically exposed persons (PEPs) under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017), as amended, including: • What is the difference between a domestic and non-domestic PEP? • Is a member of the House of Lords (who does not hold ministerial role) considered to be a PEP under the MLR 2017? • My client is a PEP, what next? • How should I approach CDD requirements under the MLR 2017 for a UK-listed company which has domestic PEPs listed on its board? This Practice Note reflects the Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) AML guidance. What is the difference between a domestic and non-domestic PEP? The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023) introduced changes to the MLR 2017, relating to domestic and non-domestic PEPs, ie: • domestic PEPs—politically exposed persons entrusted with prominent public functions by the UK, and • non-domestic PEPs—politically exposed persons who are not domestic PEPs Domestic

The Private Equity Reporting Group (PERG) and the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) have launched a consultation to update the Walker Guidelines for disclosure and transparency in the private equity industry. This consultation follows the substantial growth of the industry, with over £20bn invested in UK portfolio companies in 2023. The consultation will review the requirements and scope of the Guidelines, seeking to introduce refreshed reporting requirements. The consultation will run for two months, closing on 30 September 2024. Once it has been concluded, the PERG and BVCA will summarise the responses received and set out next steps in the fourth quarter of 2024, aiming to publish the final amended Guidelines in January 2025.

The Private Equity Reporting Group (PERG) has published its 17th annual report, assessing the private equity industry's adherence to the Guidelines for Disclosure and Transparency (the Walker Guidelines). The report covers 90 portfolio companies and 75 firms, an increase from 81 and 71 respectively in 2023. Notably, the report found 100% compliance with disclosure requirements among the 23 sampled portfolio companies, an increase from 96% in 2023. This compliance was achieved through comprehensive annual report disclosures or the use of addendums following PwC's review. Alongside this report, PERG has published the updated Walker Guidelines, aiming to increase transparency standards. This follows PERG's and the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA)'s July 2024 consultation. The updated Walker Guidelines calls for increased disclosure on principal risks, environmental matters, and diversity, equality, and inclusion. The scope has also been modified to better capture large UK companies acquired by private equity, with PERG committing to develop a 'grow in and grow out' mechanism. Additionally, clarifications have been provided on the definitions of a private equity firm and an infrastructure asset.

The Private Equity Reporting Group (PERG), the independent body set up to assess the UK private equity industry on behalf of the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA),has published the latest Private Equity Annual Public Reports. The reports (the ‘Annual Report of the Private Equity Reporting Group’, the ‘Good Practice Reporting Guide for portfolio companies’ and the ‘Annual Report on the performance of portfolio companies’) are issued under the Walker Guidelines, which provide the framework for the private equity industry to disclose information relating to UK-based portfolio companies and encourage a greater level of disclosure across the industry. The reports address compliance with the Walker Guidelines and the financial performance of portfolio companies in 2023.

This Precedent PESTLE analysis contains a blank PESTLE analysis worksheet for completion along with a worked example to illustrate how

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