Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking Members’ views on the appropriate process to be adopted by Maldon District Council.  In response to Members concerns raised regarding the issue of anonymising comments in July 2018 the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance had reviewed the practice and his report was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

It was noted that there was no clear best practice published regarding the inclusion of respondent details within Planning reports.  The professional view of Officers was that this information was not necessary to inform a balanced decision and detailed consideration of the planning merit of comments and the weight then applied to them.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the Council adept recommendation D as set out in the report, to include the personal details of respondents commenting on Planning Applications.  This proposal was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken agreed.

RESOLVED that the personal details of respondents commenting on Planning Applications, be included in Officer reports, subject to the addition of suitable guidance to respondents to the letters to neighbours and on the Council website, ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).