Agenda, decisions and minutes

For the benefit of members of the public viewing the live webcast of the meeting, the Chairman introduced Committee members and officers in attendance.

He explained that this meeting of the Planning Committee was the first to be held virtually and asked for patience bearing in mind the challenges posed by the technology in use and by the new meeting skills required.

The Chairman confirmed that the Planning Committee would continue with the practice of recording votes unless a resolution could be reached by affirmation. He explained the process he would follow in a virtual meetings environment.

He confirmed that the meeting was quorate but informed members of the public that, if a Committee member was absent for any part of the presentation of or debate about an agenda item then that member would not be allowed to vote on that item.

There were no Apologies for Absence.

1.         Disclosable pecuniary interests (“DPI”)

A  DPI is where a committee member or his/her spouse or partner has any kind of beneficial interest in the land under consideration at the meeting.

 2.        Non-disclosable pecuniary interests

These are interests that are pecuniary involving a  personal financial benefit or detriment but do not come within the definition of a DPI.  An example would be where a member of their family/close friend (who is not their spouse or partner) has such an interest.

3.         Non-pecuniary interests

Where the interest is not one which involves any personal financial benefit or detriment to the Councillor but arises out of a close connection with someone or some  body /association.  An example would be membership of a sports committee/ membership of another council which is involved in the matter under consideration.

There were no declarations of interest.

To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 as a correct record.

The Committee authorised the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020, subject to the following:

Minute 7: S/4615/18/OL – Landbeach (Land to the West of Cambridge Research Park, Beach Drive)

An amendment to show that Councillor Judith Rippeth voted in favour of the application rather than against it.

Minute 6: - S/4002/19/VC – Fowlmere (Apple Acre Park, London Road)

Under the heading ‘Reason for objection, the word ‘permanence’ between the words ‘permitted’ and ‘residence’ should be ‘permanent’.

Attendance list

An amendment to clarify that, in the absence of Councillor Pippa Heylings,  Councillor Brian Milnes had been appointed as Vice-Chairman of the meeting.

The Planning Committeeapproved the amended scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committee meetings as set out in Appendix A, as amended to replicate the existing arrangements, as follows:

(i)             In paragraph 4.1(d), by adding the words “…or another Councillor appointed by them” so that it says “Local District Councillor(s) or another Councillor appointed by them”; and

(ii)            By confirming paragraph 4.3 as stating “The same person is not allowed to address the committee in more than one of the speaker  categories.  Where speakers have competing interests, such as community objector and Parish Council representative, they should choose their dominant interest prior to registering to speak, and delegate the other role to another representative if need be.”

The Planning Committee considered a report on proposed revisions to the scheme for public speaking at its meetings to reflect the requirement to operate virtually.

Members considered several technical issues and potential benefits related to video conferencing.

Councillor Heather Williams highlighted an inconsistency between paragraph 6 of the report and paragraph 4.1(d) in Appendix A. She additionally sought clarification, with reference to paragraph 4.3.  The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development acknowledged that there was a discrepancy between the wording in paragraph 4.1(d) and the current scheme, but indicated that the original wording could be reinstated if Members wished. He further advised that the wording of paragraph 4.3 was unchanged from the original scheme.

Councillor Heather Williams proposed that paragraph 4.1(d) of the proposed protocol for public speaking at meetings of the Planning Committee be amended so as to replicate the current scheme. This was seconded by Councillor Anna Bradnam  and carried by the Committee by affirmation.

The Planning Committee unanimously approved the amended scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committee meetings as set out in Appendix A, subject to amendment of paragraph 4.1(d), by adding the words “…or another Councillor appointed by them” so that it says “Local District Councillor(s) or another Councillor appointed by them”.

There will be two additional Planning Committee meetings in May:

·       Wednesday 20 May 2020 at 10.00am

·       Tuesday 26 May 2020 at 2.00pm

The previously scheduled meeting on Wednesday 10 June 2020 will go ahead at 10.00am.

There will be a further meeting in June – date to be arranged.

Members noted that, with the consent of the Chairman, two additional Planning Committee meetings had been called, as follows:

·       Wednesday 20 May 2020 at 10.00am

·       Tuesday 26 May 2020 at 2.00pm