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Planning Committee
The Planning Committee is made up of councillors drawn from across the District and normally meets every four weeks.
Meetings are open to the public and press but the audience cannot take part. Tape recorders may be used in the meeting, as long as the Chairman agrees this in advance.
At the start of the meeting, any officer or councillor declares if they have an “interest” in any item on the agenda. There are different levels of interest. In some cases, they may leave the meeting during the consideration of an item in which they have declared an interest.
Membership
The Planning Committee has 18 councillors on it appointed at the Annual Council meeting in May. The Chair of the Committee is Councillor Dennis Kelly. The other councillors on the committee are Pauline Bowmer, Ray Brooks, Jim Clifton, Terry Connerton, Terry Cook, Malc Crane, Steve Fritchley, Duncan McGregor, Clare Munks, Brian Murray-Carr, Graham Parkin, Tom Rodda, Ann Syrett (Vice-Chairman), Rita Turner, Susan Wallis, George Webster and Jen Wilson.
Committee Reports
Planning officers prepare reports for each item to be considered. Each report relating to a planning application identifies the issues to be considered in deciding the application and includes a recommendation about whether the application should be granted or refused. There is a list of “background papers”. These are documents which have been taken into account in making the recommendation and they include consultation replies and any letters making comments. All background papers are available for public inspection and copying.
Comments received from neighbours and other individuals are normally summarised in the report.
The final version of the full committee report is available for public inspection and copying at least five working days before the date of the meeting. Supplementary reports may be circulated to bring committee members up to date with correspondence and issues raised since the original reports were prepared.
Public Speaking
Applicants and their agents and supporters, objectors, consultees, representatives of town and parish councils and ward councillors can ask to speak at meetings of the Planning Committee. There are 
detailed procedures for the way public speaking operates.
There are occasions when reports can only be prepared at the last minute. These may relate to urgent items which cannot wait until the next Planning Committee for a decision. In these cases, a report is prepared and published as soon as possible, but may not be available before the five working days period.
Requests to defer consideration of an application will be decided by members of the Planning Committee, but will normally be agreed until there are sound planning or administrative objections.
Site Visits
A number of site visits are arranged prior to each committee. The visit allows committee members to view the site and its surroundings. This helps them to judge the effect of the proposed development.
A planning officer accompanies the members to explain the proposal and answer any questions. No decision is made on site - the committee decides the application at their next meeting.
Committee members do not discuss the merits of the application during any visit. They may ask questions of the planning officer. Members of the committee try to keep together as a group and do not express their personal opinion about the merits of the application or the officer report.
Committee Decisions
The Chairman takes a vote about the decision to be made on each application. A clear indication of the decision is made. If a decision is deferred, the reason is explained clearly.
Sometimes, the committee makes a decision which is against the officer recommendation. Where the decision is to grant permission, the committee will give reasons for their decision and the reasons for that decision. The committee provides a list of conditions, if any, to be included on any permission granted and comprehensive reasons where permission is refused. A note of these is included in the minutes. In some cases, deferment may be needed to formulate legally sound conditions or reasons for refusal.
For further information, or to keep a check on any of the Planning Committee agenda's and minutes please telephone 01246 242529 or submit an enquiry form
Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 May 2012 16:03
