Minutes:
The Council considered the report of the Monitoring Officer regarding the lawfulness of a planning determination made by an Area Planning Committee.
The report and its appendices provided background information regarding the planning decision, correspondence received since along with Counsel’s advice.
Councillor N J Skeens declared that he had been the Chairman at the meeting where the planning application had been considered.
In response to a request by the Chairman, the Monitoring Officer provided Members with some guidance regarding making a declaration of interest on this item of business. At this point, Councillor Mrs P A Channer advised that her earlier declaration in the interest of openness and transparency was that she had voted against the application. Councillor M G Bassenger asked that it be recorded for transparency that he had voted against the application when previously considered by an Area Planning Committee.
The Leader of the Council then presented the report and moved the recommendation set out in the report. This was duly seconded.
The Monitoring Officer took Members through his report, drawing their attention to key points for consideration.
Councillor R G Boyce proposed that determination of the planning application be delegated to Officers. This proposal was not seconded.
A lengthy debate ensued during which Members discussed the legal advice received and views of the Monitoring Officer set out in the report. Some Members referred to the Area Planning Committee meeting and provided further information in respect of this.
Following further debate, the Chairman put the proposal in the name of the Leader of the Council to Members.
In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor C Morris requested a recorded vote. This was duly seconded, and the voting was as follows:
For the recommendation:
Councillors M G Bassenger, Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, M F L Durham, M R Edwards, Mrs J L Fleming, M S Heard, A L Hull, K W Jarvis, J V Keyes, C Mayes, S P Nunn, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N J Skeens, W Stamp, C Swain, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.
Against the recommendation:
Councillor C Morris.
Abstention:
Councillors K M H Lagan and Mrs J Stilts.
RESOLVED that planning application 20/01166/FUL at South of Charwood and East of Orchard House, Stoney Hills, Burnham-on-Crouch, should be re-determined at a meeting of the District Planning Committee as soon as possible.