The report before Members included proposals for improved delivery of the Council’s planning

services.   The proposals focused on the current system of delegation of decisions of

planning applications and enforcement cases and set out an alternative process as explained in the appendices to the report.

Cllr Baker MOVED and Cllr Lloyd SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

Cllr Mrs McKinlay MOVED and Cllr Mrs Hones SECONDED an AMENDMENT, the addition of  ‘2.5 That the new process be reviewed after 3 months’.

Cllrs Baker and Lloyd did not accept the amendment.  A vote was taken on a show of hands and the AMENDMENT was LOST.

Returning to the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION, following a discussion, a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.            All planning decisions to be delegated to the Head of Planning except for those retained to the Planning and Development Control Committee, or referred to as set out in the revised delegation arrangements and call-in referral protocols.

2 .      The replacement of the weekly list production by email alert of validated applications and method of call-in of planning applications by Ward Members, Parish Councils or Chair /Vice Chair to Committee.

3.             Enforcement issues be determined having regard to the Planning Enforcement  Plan when adopted.

4.            Revised planning protocols, delegation arrangements and other Constitutional changes to implement the above be adopted.

Reason for Decision

The Council had a foundational basis for its Planning Service in historical constitutional arrangements, some of which dated back to 1982. The need for review and update was urgent, therefore, as there was increasing risk of challenge from working with such out-dated procedures.

The removal of the weekly list would enable Members to get involved with applications at a much earlier stage in their process and work positively with officers as they made their technical assessments. The removal of the weekly list would result in efficiency savings.