Issue - meetings

To invite Members to consider matters arising from executive Members Serving on Committees with responsibility for Planning Functions.

The Committee considered a report on matters arising from executive Members Serving on Committees with responsibility for Planning Functions.

At a meeting of the Planning Protocol Sub-Committee held on 6^th January 2011 the Sub-Committee resolved that a report be submitted to the Constitution Committee on executive Members being appointed to Committees with responsibility for Planning Functions.

Under existing legislation, there was nothing to prevent executive Members being appointed to committees with responsibility for planning functions. Indeed, this was a common practice amongst local authorities. At Cheshire East, Executive Members had been appointed to committees with responsibility for planning functions.

CLG guidance to local authorities on new council constitutions (2006) was noted.

Any Cabinet Member who was on the authority’s planning committee would need to consider whether they had a personal and/or prejudicial interest on items on the agenda of planning committee meetings, or whether there may be any issues of perceived pre-determination.

The issues were not clear cut, and would depend on the circumstances of a particular case. A judgement would need to be made in each case, based upon the circumstances. Legal advice may also need to be taken.

RESOLVED

That the views of the Cabinet be sought on the issues raised in the report and the matter be considered further at the Committee’s next meeting.