Issue - meetings

That subject to the amendments to Table 1 as above the recommended scheme of delegation as detailed in the report be approved to provide officers with a framework to act at the LDP EiP, should the Inspector propose changes to the Plan.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) introduced the report to seek Member’s views on, and agreement to, a proposed scheme of delegation for officers to act on  behalf of the Council should the Inspector propose changes arising out of the examination of the soundness of any aspect of the LDP during the scheduled  hearing sessions.   The Chief Officer reported that the examination of the LDP was  due to  commence on 8 March 2021.  A pre-hearing meeting had been  held on 12 January and a draft timetable for hearing sessions was expected this week and would be published on the LDP website (link provided within the report).  

The Chief Officer advised that the Council considered that the LDP as submitted to be a sound plan, however, during the hearing the Inspectors may propose changes.  He explained that the purpose of the scheme of delegation was to allow officers to agree, in principle, to the Inspector making changes to the LDP during the hearing sessions in consultation with Members, depending on the nature and scope of the changes proposed.  Changes of a minor typographical or factual nature are proposed to be delegated to the Service Manager Strategy (or in his absence,  or inability to act, or for operational expediency, exercised by the Team Leader Planning Policy) but more significant changes, such as the deletion of an allocation or introduction of a new site or sites, would require consultation with Members as detailed in the report.  He said that the Planning Inspectorate and the Welsh Government recommended that such a scheme of delegation be agreed to allow for the examination to operate efficiently. 

The Chief Officer drew attention to paragraphs 1.05 and 1.06 in the report and the information in Table 1 which sets out the proposed scheme of delegation.   He  reported that the Planning Strategy Group had considered the proposals in the draft scheme of delegation at a meeting held on 12 November, and following amendment of the scheme had endorsed and recommended it to Council for approval.   He gave reassurance to Members that any changes that emanated from the examination process (known as ‘Matters Arising Changes’) would be collated into a document and subject to a separate 6-week public consultation process when the hearing sessions were completed.  He gave an assurance that there would be ample opportunity for Members and the wider public to respond to any proposed changes as part of that formal consultation.  The Chief Officer recommended that the Scheme of Delegation, as set out in Table 1 of the report, be adopted to provide officers with a framework to act at the LDP EiP, should the Inspector propose changes to the Plan.

Councillor Chris Bithell moved the recommendation as set out in the report.  Speaking in support of the recommendation he reiterated that the Plan was sound as it stood.  He referred to the proposals and arrangements for delegated authority as detailed in Table 1 and advised that the use of the scheme would be as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52