Decision details

To consider the responses received in respect of the proposed changes to the scheme of delegation and make a recommendation on a revised scheme to Planning Committee.

The Leader of the Council acting on behalf of the Portfolio Holder, ENDORSED and RECOMMENDED to the Planning Committee that the current scheme of delegation be amended in the following manner:

a)    To allow all decisions to be delegated other than those listed in Appendix A of the report.

b)    That the time given for District Councillors to request an application be considered by Planning Committee is extended from 21 to 28 days.

c)    That the automatic referral to Planning Committee is removed when an officer recommendation of approval conflicts with representations by the Parish Council and these cannot be substantially addressed by planning condition. Instead this is replaced by the right of the Parish Council to request an application is considered by Planning Committee. The request must be supported by material planning reasons and the final decision on whether the application is considered by Planning Committee will be taken by the Chairman of Planning Committee as advised by the Designated Officer (Head of Development Management or Head of New Communities).

The Leader of the Council AGREED that the Revised Scheme of Delegation should be given at least one year to bed in, and a formal review process involving Parish Councils should take place within 24 months.