Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the proposed changes to the Planning Protocol.

The Strategic Planning Board considered the joint report of the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Planning and Policy which proposed amendments to the Planning Protocol adopted by the Council on 24^th February 2009. 

The Board was asked to review and comment on the proposed amendments.

RESOLVED

1.         That the amended Planning Protocol contained in Appendix 1 of the report, be commended to the Constitution Committee for inclusion in the Constitution subject to –

            (a) two revised paragraphs -

(i) paragraph 8.4 shall read “Do copy or pass on any lobbying correspondence you receive to the Planning Case Officer at the earliest opportunity or declare its receipt at the Planning Meeting.” (The revision allows Members to treat these two courses of action as alternatives.)

(ii) paragraph 4.5 shall read “Do remember that where other Ward Councillors are available and where they do not sit as a Member of the same Planning Meeting, they will not be subject to the same restrictions regarding fettering of discretion and are therefore a valid alternative contact for members of the public or lobby groups.” (The revision acknowledges that other Ward Councillors may or may not exist in a particular Ward.); and

2.         any views expressed by the Standards Committee to which this matter be referred for comment.