Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2016 were confirmed by the Members present and were then signed by the Chairman.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies received from Cllr Matthews and Cllr Madden. Cllr C Wyatt-Lowe attended as a substitute.

Cllr Taylor informed the committed that he had given M Brookes a couple of questions from the Chairman of Development Control, and when appropriate for M Brooks to answer them.

M Brookes introduced the report stating that they will be going through the planning code of practice. C Gaunt has helped M Brooks with the process and is happy to take members through it, highlighting the main changes.

M Brookes said that once it had been considered at this committee it will then be taken to the Development Control Committee for comments then onto Council for adoption.

C Wyatt-Lowe asked if she had to declare an interest as she sits on that committee.

Cllr Taylor said this this won’t cause any problems, M Brookes agreed.

Cllr Taylor informed the committee that the Chair of Development Control was talking about pre meetings and it being open to all committee members, a legal officer should also be present and the meeting should not discuss details or merits of any cases.

Cllr Taylor asked M Brookes to remind the committee what pre meetings were for.

M Brookes asked if this could be discussed when we reach that point in the document.

Cllr Tindal added to that saying his understanding was that at the development control committee they are there as individuals.

Cllr Taylor agreed.

Cllr C Wyatt-Lowe said it has been raised before that Councillors raise their concern and everyone is invited but they don’t show.

Cllr Taylor referred to the constitution which says a pre meeting will take place and there are exceptions to development control. This will be covered in C Gaunt’s presentation and will be discussed when we meet the relevant sections.

C Gaunt presented the planning code of practice which was adopted in 2008 and it has been some time since it was last reviewed. Since then, there have been some changes and the new updates have been included.

C Gaunt referred to paragraph 1.4, this section sets out how the planning process interacts with the member’s code of conduct, and reminds us of the risks on planning decisions that are made.

C Gaunt then referred to 3.2, pre applications discussing involving members. These aren’t what were mentioned a minute ago. This minimised planning risk and improves development delivery.

Cllr Tindall referred to 3.2.5 page 11, does that mean the content or the fact we are attending the briefing from the developers is confidential. Perhaps the information in the meeting is confidential.

C Gaunt replied, that was his understanding.

C Gaunt then referred to 5.4. There was recent members training on freedom of information act and disclosure of items, this is a reminder.

M Brookes said they have had a few examples of members representing their ward but writing into officers in strong terms about schemes and whether they should be approved or not. This is a reminder that information can be disclosed so be wary of the language when one writes in.

Cllr C Wyatt-Lowe said generally in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

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The next meeting will be held on 9 March 2017.

The committee agreed that the next meeting will take place on 9 March 2017

To consider passing a resolution in the following terms:

That, under s.100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12A Part 1 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 the public be excluded during the item in Part II of the Agenda for this meeting, because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to:

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