Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

There were none.

There were none.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8^th September 2026 (attached).

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 8^th September 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the meeting held on 8^th September 2026 were agreed as a correct record.

To consider any business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposes to accept, under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

None.

None.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor Squire declared an interest in the National Planning Scheme of Delegation as she was employed by the Forestry Commission who were a non-statutory consultee for certain planning applications.

Councillor Squire declared an interest in the National Planning Scheme of Delegation as she was employed by the Forestry Commission who were a non-statutory consultee for certain planning applications.

To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

None.

None.

To note the names of any Councillors who wish to address the meeting under Standing Order 34.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

Councillor Parish – Item 11 – National Planning Scheme of Delegation.

Councillor Parish – CAB57 – National Planning Scheme of Delegation.

To report on any Cabinet Decisions called in.

None.

None.

A copy of the Forward Decisions List is attached

RESOLVED: The Forward Decisions List was noted.

RESOLVED: The Forward Decisions List was noted.

To receive any comments and recommendations from other Council bodies which meet after the dispatch of this agenda. 

Cabinet noted the recommendations put forward by the Panels in relation to the following items:

Corporate Performance Panel – 6^th October 2026

-        ICT Transformation Programme

Regeneration and Development Panel – 30^th September 2026

-        National Planning Scheme of Delegation

-        EXEMPT – Sommerfeld and Thomas Warehouse

Cabinet noted the recommendations put forward by the Panels in relation to the following items:

Corporate Performance Panel – 6^th October 2026

-        ICT Transformation Programme

Regeneration and Development Panel – 30^th September 2026

-        National Planning Scheme of Delegation

-        EXEMPT – Sommerfeld and Thomas Warehouse

RESOLVED:

1) Approve the revised Terms of Reference as set out at Appendix A, subject to additional information to be added relating to quorum and substitutes.

2) Note that the Terms of Reference will continue to be reviewed annually.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The Terms of Reference require an annual review and the proposed revisions strengthen governance, oversight, reporting requirements and escalation arrangements.

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The Corporate Governance Manager presented the revised Terms of Reference for the Shareholder Committee and explained that they were subject to annual review.

The key amendments were highlighted, including improved wording and presentation, expanded definitions, enhanced information relating to the purpose and scope of the Committee, and the inclusion of intervention routes and reporting requirements.

Cabinet thanked the Corporate Governance Manager for the revisions, noting that the amendments had improved the clarity of the document, particularly in relation to the definition of roles and the functions of the Shareholder Committee.

In response to a question from the Leader, the Corporate Governance Manager clarified that Reserved Matters would include a general "catch-all" provision and would be supported by a Reserved Matters Schedule, which would further refine and define those matters requiring approval by the Shareholder Committee.

Councillor Ring referred to the Committee's membership, comprising three Cabinet Members, and sought clarification regarding substitute arrangements, given that the quorum of the Committee was also three. It was explained that a Cabinet Member who was unable to attend a meeting could be substituted by another Cabinet Member. The Corporate Governance Manager agreed to amend the Terms of Reference to provide greater clarity on this.

The Corporate Governance Manager further explained that, once approved, the Shareholder Committee Terms of Reference would be circulated to Company Board Members for information and awareness

RESOLVED:

1) Approve the revised Terms of Reference as set out at Appendix A, subject to additional information to be added relating to quorum and substitutes.

2) Note that the Terms of Reference will continue to be reviewed annually.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The Terms of Reference require an annual review and the proposed revisions strengthen governance, oversight, reporting requirements and escalation arrangements.

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 CAB57

The Cabinet is asked to consider excluding the public from the meeting under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 for consideration of the items below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

PRIVATE ITEM

Details of any representations received about why the following reports should be considered in public will be reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

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RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

RESOLVED:  The recommendations to Cabinet were approved as included in the report.

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report

The Portfolio Holder and Regeneration Programmes Manager presented the report as included in the Agenda and responded to questions and comments from Cabinet Members.

RESOLVED:  The recommendations to Cabinet were approved as included in the report.

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report

RESOLVED:  The recommendations to Cabinet were approved as included in the report.

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report

The Chief of Staff presented the report, supported by the ICT Manager and presented the report and responded to questions and comments from Cabinet Members relating to the importance of Cyber Security, improvements which had been made and proposed improvements for the future.

RESOLVED:  The recommendations to Cabinet were approved as included in the report.

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report