Decision details

Councillor Mrs J L Fleming, Chairman of the Joint Standards Committee presented the recommendation coming forward from her Committee (as set out on the agenda) regarding the following motion from Councillor A S Fluker:

“With regards to openness, transparency, and public interest the Council writes to the Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, Mr Terrence Kemmann-Lane JP DipTP FRTPI MCMI, asking him to evidence his findings of ‘substantive’ ‘unreasonable behaviour’ and pre-determination by ‘elected members’, and that the Council appoints an Independent Person to conduct a review of the decision notice and report their findings to Council.”

The Chairman suggested that the matter be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as he felt this was the most appropriate Committee.

It was proposed and duly seconded that that in respect of the Motion the Council rejects the call for an external investigation but accepts the findings of the Inspector, that Council emphasises the need for more objective and evidence-based decision-making in the future and that the matter of planning decision making be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Fluker presented his motion and referred to further correspondence and a breach in the code of conduct which he requested be made available to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  In response the Monitoring Officer explained this related to Member investigation and was confidential until brought forward to the Joint Standards Committee.  The issue regarding whether there was a breach in the code of conduct had been dealt with under the complaints procedure and resolved. 

The Chairman moved the proposal which upon a vote being taken was duly agreed.

RESOLVEDthat in respect of the Motion (detailed above) the Council rejects the call for an external investigation but accepts the findings of the Inspector, that Council emphasises the need for more objective and evidence-based decision-making in the future and that the matter of planning decision making be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.