Issue - meetings

That the amendments to the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) Scheme of Delegation be endorsed.

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced a report to consider the recommendations from the Planning Strategy Group (PSG) to alter the delegations to the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment), and to transfer the documented responsibility to make agreements for highway works from the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) to the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) to reflect the staffing structure. 

                          The Chief Officer provided background information and context and advised that the PSG and Constitution Committee fully supported the revised delegations to the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) and were satisfied that the Planning & Development Control Committee would still be able to consider applications that warranted Member scrutiny.  In addition there was the ‘failsafe’ that Members retained the ability to ask for applications to be considered at Committee if there was legitimate reason.

The Chief Officer (Governance) invited the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) to provide further clarification on the proposals concerning delegation and the role and responsibilities of the PSG.  In response to a concern raised by Councillor Richard Jones around the process for reviewing decisions on a change in delegation,  the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) gave an assurance that all relevant information was already in the public domain. 

In response to the questions put forward by Councillor Clive Carver, the  Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) reiterated that Members still retained the opportunity to ask for applications to be considered at Planning & Development Control Committee if there was legitimate reason and to request a site visit. 

Regarding the further concerns expressed by Councillor David Roney, Councillor Bernie Attridge gave an assurance that a satisfactory answer would be provided to the matter raised. 

Councillor Mike Peers referred to page 181, paragraphs (a) and (b), and suggested that the wording be amended to ensure that the Member requesting delegation to the Planning & Development Control Committee also provided a clear written reason for the request.  The Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) advised that the detail as to why an application went to the Committee sat within the Planning Code of Practice within the scheme of delegation.

Councillor Robin Guest moved approval of the report and this was duly seconded.

RESOLVED:

That the amendments to the Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) Scheme of Delegation be endorsed.