Agenda item

To receive any requests for dispensations.

(a)       That County Councillor Mike Peers be granted dispensation under paragraphs (e) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak for five minutes at Planning Committee and make written representations on planning applications 057514 and 057295, or any application which, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, is similar. Councillor Peers is to leave the meeting after speaking, before the application is debated and voted on. The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 5 March 2019; and

(b)       That County Councillor Mike Peers be granted dispensation under paragraphs (e) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak for five minutes at Planning Committee and make written representations on planning application 057689, or any application which, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, is similar. Councillor Peers is to leave the meeting after speaking, before the application is debated and voted on. The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 5 March 2019.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer provided background information on two dispensation requests from County Councillor Mike Peers received after publication of the agenda.  He clarified that Councillor Peers was not the local Member on the applications.

Councillor Heesom indicated that he did not wish to participate on the item as he was a member of the Planning Committee.

Planning applications 057514 and 057295 at Hawkesbury Hall, Buckley

It was explained that Councillor Peers was a member of the Hawkesbury Community Centre management committee and a member of the Planning Committee which was due to consider the applications later in the week.  His request was to take part in the debate to raise concerns about restricted access by emergency vehicles to nearby facilities and to vote.

Councillor Woolley explained that whilst he had some knowledge about the building, he had no vested interest on the applications.

Mr. Rob Dewey questioned the reason for Councillor Peers citing paragraph (c) relating to potential political balance implications, in addition to paragraphs (e) and (f).  The Monitoring Officer advised that Councillor Peers may have felt that there could be an issue, given the Planning Committee quorum arrangements in Wales and that the Committee could consider whether or not to include paragraph (c) as the basis for the decision.

The Chairman recalled that the Committee had not granted voting rights on past similar dispensations.  He asked if the Committee wished to grant permission to speak and communicate in writing but not to vote.  This was supported by the Committee.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer asked for clarification on the time which Councillor Peers would be permitted to speak under the dispensation, as he was entitled to speak for three minutes in any case.  Councillor Woolley spoke in support of granting five minutes’ speaking time due to the complex issues involved in the application.

The Chairman asked if the Committee wished to grant dispensation under paragraphs (e) and (f) only, to speak for five minutes and communicate in writing with officers, but to leave the meeting before the vote.  The dispensation would apply for 12 months and include similar applications as deemed by the Monitoring Officer.

On being put to the vote, this was agreed.  Councillor Heesom asked that his decision to abstain be recorded in the minutes.

Planning application 057689 at Alltami Road, Buckley

As a member of the Planning Committee, Councillor Peers was seeking dispensation to speak and vote on the application which, if approved, would result in financial contributions towards education at the Mountain Lane Primary School where he was Chair of Governors.

The Monitoring Officer drew comparison with an application submitted in 2014 by former Councillor Alison Halford, where dispensation had been granted to speak, vote and communicate in writing.  That determination had been made on the basis that the relevant school stood to benefit rather than Councillor Halford.  The published decision did not indicate the length of time given to speak.  In respect of the current application, Councillor Peers would be able to speak for three minutes, the same as a member of the public, unless the Committee agreed on five minutes.

Mr. Dewey queried the relevant paragraphs under which dispensation was being sought but indicated that he would support granting dispensation without voting as the organisation that Councillor Peers represented stood to benefit.  This was seconded by Councillor Woolley.

During discussion, the Monitoring Officer gave clarification on educational financial contributions arising from planning applications.

The Chairman asked if the Committee wished to grant dispensation under paragraphs (e) and (f) only, to speak for five minutes and communicate in writing with officers, but to leave the meeting before the vote.  The dispensation would apply for 12 months and include similar applications as deemed by the Monitoring Officer.

On being put to the vote, this was agreed by the Committee.  Councillor Heesom asked that his decision to abstain be recorded in the minutes.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That County Councillor Mike Peers be granted dispensation under paragraphs (e) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak for five minutes at Planning Committee and make written representations on planning applications 057514 and 057295, or any application which, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, is similar. Councillor Peers is to leave the meeting after speaking, before the application is debated and voted on. The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 5 March 2019; and

(b)       That County Councillor Mike Peers be granted dispensation under paragraphs (e) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak for five minutes at Planning Committee and make written representations on planning application 057689, or any application which, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, is similar. Councillor Peers is to leave the meeting after speaking, before the application is debated and voted on. The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 5 March 2019.