Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED:

Cabinet recommends to Full Council, that it:

1. Notes the revised Planning Scheme of Delegation attached at Appendix A.

2. Notes the consequential amendments to the Constitution, and the Planning Committee Terms of Reference (attached at Appendix B) and related procedural rules required to implement the National Scheme of Delegation.

3. Authorises the Assistant Director for Environment and Planning to make operational procedural changes to implement the National Scheme of Delegation.

4. Authorises the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Assistant Director for Environment and Planning, to make any necessary consequential amendments arising from the implementation of the National Scheme of Delegation.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure the council is able to fulfil its planning decision-making duties in a legally compliant way.

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Cabinet noted that the Regeneration and Development Panel had considered this report and supported the recommendations, subject to the comments and concerns raised by the Panel, as set out below:

1.    Properly submitted Ward Member requests for consideration through the gateway process to be taken seriously.

2.    Delays in responses from internal Council consultees be investigated; and

3.    Quarterly monitoring information on the operation of the Scheme be provided.

Councillor Moriarty as Portfolio Holder, presented the report and reminded Cabinet of the Government consultation process and the response previously submitted by the Council. He explained that the National Planning Scheme of Delegation formed part of the wider programme of Government planning reforms. Councillor Moriarty outlined the proposed arrangements for determining planning applications, including the circumstances in which applications would be considered by the Planning Committee and the criteria that would need to be satisfied where a Member sought to call in an application for Committee consideration. It was noted that the majority of planning applications would be determined under delegated powers by officers unless exceptional circumstances applied and the gateway test had been met.  Councillor Moriarty also provided details of the proposed triage system that would be introduced as part of the new arrangements.

In addressing the recommendations put forward by the Regeneration and Development Panel, Councillor Moriarty stated that requests submitted by Ward Members would be given full consideration and assessed against the established criteria. He further advised that delays in responses from consultees would be monitored where necessary. Councillor Moriarty confirmed that the operation of the new system would be subject to ongoing monitoring, with a review taking place after six months, the findings of which could be presented to the Regeneration and Development Panel if required.

Referring to concerns raised regarding the 21-day period for Ward Member call-in requests, Councillor Moriarty reminded Members that details of applications were frequently available in advance of the formal consultation period. He also noted that Councillors received the weekly list of planning applications for information and review.

Councillor Ratcliffe asked whether notifications issued to Councillors could include consultation dates to assist Members in understanding the relevant timescales for submitting requests. In response, the Planning Control Manager reminded Members that once an application had been allocated to an officer, notification was issued to the relevant Ward Member to provide early notice. Details of the application would also be included within the weekly list of planning applications. It was explained that as much information as possible would be made available to Councillors, including a link to the call-in request form and details of the criteria that would need to be met. Information relating to Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 applications would also be provided.

Councillor de Whalley expressed concern that valuable local knowledge could be lost in the decision-making process if Members had reduced involvement in determining planning applications. He stressed the importance of both Councillors and Parish Councils being actively  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57