Business Bribary

Can someone please explain the difference between

1. A UK Company paying a huge sum to a foreign company acting as their agent in that country in order to secure a large contract and thus increase their business and secure jobs in the UK
2. A UK Company paying a huge sum to a Local Council to secure planning permission and thus increase their business and secure jobs in the UK

In the first instance, a typical example is British Aerospace which has been hounded by the serious fraud office on allegations that their actions amount to bribery. Although the reason why we should be concerned about bribery in another country where it is a way of life, simply escapes me.

In the second instance, Tesco  is to build a state-of-the-art police station in West Bromwich in order to secure planning permission for their biggest store to date (today's Sunday Mail),

Can anyone please explain why the first example constitutes bribery and the second does not. Do the Police overlook the matter because they are the beneficiaries?

I wonder who would investigate if some person or organisation made a formal complaint about possible bribery?