Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Member Working Group (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group (the Working Group) informing Members of the further findings and conclusions of the work on this scrutiny workplan item.

The scrutiny request had been submitted by Councillor S J N Morgan and previously reported to the Committee where four broad areas for scrutiny were identified. The report provided detailed information regarding the initial request reported to the Committee. It was noted that the Working Group had given further detailed consideration to the areas of scrutiny set by the Committee and its deliberations were set out in Appendix A.

The scrutiny had identified that the Council’s position could be better explained to the public and some of the concerns expressed by local residents allayed. The Committee’s attention was drawn to the lessons learnt highlighted in the Appendix by way of improvements to processes.

In response to questions raised by Members, the following information was provided by Officers:

·                The Assistant Director: Planning and Implementation explained that Planning Officers who were members of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) were bound by a professional Code of Conduct which included clauses on Independent Professional Judgement and they had to stand by the original assessment of a planning application, even if it conflicted with the decision made by their Local Planning Authority. He explained that this was why Officers could not always act to defend planning appeals where the decision was contrary to professional advice and the potential consequences of doing, were their position to be discussed at an appeal hearing or inquiry.

·                The Head of Service – Planning Policy and Implementation provided an update on the status of an approved traveller site within the District.

The Chairperson moved the recommendation set out in the report. This was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the Committee received and considered the report of the Working Group;

(ii)            That the scrutiny item raised by Councillor S J N Morgan relating to the Planning Appeal at Woodham Mortimer be concluded;

(iii)           That the recommendations of the Working Group that the proposed revision and strengthening of the Planning Appeals Protocol be endorsed.