Issue - meetings

To consider a further draft of the Planning Protocol of Conduct incorporating amendments requested by Members at the previous meeting.

At the previous meeting, the Sub-Committee had considered a revised version of the Planning Protocol on conduct which had been produced in the form of a three page guidance note with key principles set out in a bulleted list, supplemented by detailed supporting information. Members had agreed a number of additional amendments to the content and format of the Protocol and had resolved that:

(1)   the further amendments agreed by the Sub-Committee be incorporated into the revised Planning Protocol of Conduct;

(2)   any further comments on the Protocol by Members of the Sub-Committee be conveyed to [Democratic Services] by 14^th February;

(3)   a revised version of the Protocol be submitted to the next meeting; and

(4)   the issue of Planning Officers providing assistance to Members, including reasons, in the event that a Planning Committee determines an application against the recommendations of Officers, and the issue of Officer presentations at planning committee meetings, be raised at the next meeting of the Planning Chairmen.

With regard to resolution (4), the Officers reported that the Planning Chairmen and Planning Officers had confirmed that there was an understanding that Officers would assist Members in providing reasons for determining an application against the recommendation of Officers.

Members had before them a second revision of the Protocol which incorporated the amendments agreed at the previous meeting. This comprised a three page summary document setting out the aim and purpose of the Protocol and a list of 22 key points, supplemented by more detailed guidance notes. Members noted that the guidance notes included further guidance on predetermination, including advice on the form of wording to use when calling in an application.

During consideration of the Protocol, Councillor S Jones expressed concern at the section of the supporting guidance dealing with the lobbying of planning committee members and the acceptance of gifts or hospitality. She wished the guidance to be amended to advise individual members strongly not to attend meetings with developers and lobby groups. Whilst other Members of the Sub-Committee were content with the wording as it stood, Cllr Jones asked that her concerns be placed on record.

The Sub-Committee approved the revised document subject to the following amendments:

1. the introductory wording indicating that the Protocol applied to members of the Strategic Planning Board and Northern and Southern Planning Committees should be highlighted in bold text; and

2. paragraph 15 of the summary should be amended to read (amendment shown in italics):

“15. make sure you are present at the planning meeting for the entire     item, including the Officers’ introduction and update, otherwise you cannot vote.”

3. paragraph 7.4 of the supplementary guidance should be amended to read (amendment shown in italics):

“7.4    Remember that you can copy or pass on any lobbying correspondence you receive to the Head of Planning and Housing at the earliest opportunity or declare the receipt of lobbying information at the planning meeting.”

Members were advised that the Planning Protocol of Conduct formed part of the Council’s Constitution and any changes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15