Agenda item
Future of Planning Committee Site Visits
This report sets out some options for consideration by members that will ensure a continuation of visits but with a focus on reducing the number of visits, confining attendance at the visits to members of the Committee, and looking at alternatives to the regular Saturday morning arrangements in advance of the Committee meeting. As changes would have implications for the Planning Code of Conduct, any decision to change arrangements would require a decision by the full Council
Minutes:
Chris Walker, Assistant Director of Planning introduced the report that set out some options for consideration by members that would ensure a continuation of visits but with a focus on reducing the number of visits, confining attendance at the visits to members of the Committee, and looking at alternatives to the regular Saturday morning arrangements in advance of the Committee meeting. He advised that as changes would have implications for the Planning Code of Conduct any decision to change arrangements would require a decision by the full Council. He referred the deliberations of the Constitutional Working Group (CWG) which requested a further report on site visits with a view to their reduction and being confined to members. The Assistant Director also highlighted concerns expressed by some members over the burden of site visits on Saturday mornings and the need to examine an alternative option of mid-week site visits.
At the start of member discussions Councillor Singh expressed a view that Saturday site visits were more appropriate particularly for members who were working full time. He continued that due to the impact that some smaller developments may have on adjoining properties, site visits for smaller developments should be maintained. Councillor McLennan expressed similar views in her support for site visits on Saturday mornings and added that visits to sites where it was felt that the proposed development would result in adverse serious socio-economic impact should be continued.
The above views were also shared by Councillors Cummins who went on to add that any changes to mid-week site visits could have resource implication for the Council. In a similar vein Councillor Daly supported the retention of Saturday site visits but went on to suggest an amendment that the applicant or their agent should be in attendance at site visits to provide access and if requested by the Committee, to explain aspects of the proposed development. Councillor Hashmi also expressed a view members should continue with site visits to proposals for large developments even though there may be a single objector involved. Councillor RS Patel however supported a shift towards mid-week site visits so as to avoid clashes with member surgeries which took place on Saturday mornings. Councillor Kabir added that it was incumbent on all members to check the websites to familiarise themselves with the applications that may concern their wards and emphasised the usefulness in officers giving clarity to members on what constituted major developments. Members then voted on the recommendations which were agreed as amended by Councillor Daly as set out below.
RESOLVED:
(i) that the following changes to the way site visits are carried out be agreed:
a) To have site visits to more major developments (with residential schemes normally over 10 new dwellings);
b) To restrict attendance at site visits to members of the Committee and relevant officers, with the applicant (or their agent) in attendance to provide access and if requested by the Committee to explain aspects of the scheme;
c) That consideration be given to mid-week visits;
(ii) That the above changes agreed be reflected in the in the Planning Code of Conduct to be finally agreed by the full Council.
Supporting documents: