Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To agree requests to speak from Councillors who are not Members of the Committee, in accordance with Committee Procedure 4.1.

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 4.1, the following Councillor, who was not a Member of the Committee, be allowed to speak on the agenda item indicated:

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following declaration of interest was made by a Member present relating to business to be transacted at the meeting:

Any Other Business – Arrangement of Presentation Regarding Bentley Priory

Councillor Marilyn Ashton declared a prejudicial interest in the above item.  Accordingly, she would leave the room and take no part in the discussion or decision?making on the item.

(a)  To consider whether any item included on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded because it contains confidential information as defined in the Local Government Act 1972;

(b)  to receive the addendum sheets and to note any applications which are recommended for deferral or have been withdrawn from the agenda by the applicant.

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with Committee Rule 27, it was agreed to suspend Committee Rule 18 to enable a letter from the Applicant for P/4121/07/CFU/DC3 (application 3/01 refers) to be distributed to the Committee;

(2)  in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following items be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2)  all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2007 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rules 19, 16 and 17 (Part 4B of the Constitution) respectively.

To receive references from Council and any other Committees or Panels (if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no references from Council or other Committees or Panels to be received at this meeting.

To confirm whether representations are to be received, under Committee Procedure Rule 18 (Part 4B of the Constitution), from objectors and applicants regarding planning applications on the agenda.

RESOLVED:  To note that no requests for representations had been received.

Report of the Head of Planning - circulated separately.

RESOLVED:  That authority be given to the Head of Planning to issue the decision notices in respect of the applications considered, as set out in the schedule attached to these minutes. 

The Committee received a report from the Head of Planning which listed those appeals being dealt with and those awaiting decision. 

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

To arrange dates for Member site visits that have been agreed during the course of the meeting (if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no Members site visits to be arranged.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Planning, Development and Enterprise proposing changes to the Protocol for Members and Reserve Members when dealing with Planning Applications and Lobbying and the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules.

It was agreed to amend the wording of the proposed process to include:

·                     that applicants for major strategic schemes should be invited to make a presentation to all members of the Committee and reserves;

·                     a motion to refuse an application recommended for approval by officers should state clearly the proposed material planning reasons for refusal. 

RESOLVED:  That additional paragraphs as set out in the report, and amended above, be recommended as additions to the Constitution Committee Procedure Rules and the ‘Protocol for Members and Reserve Members when dealing with Planning Applications and Lobbying’ to ensure that decisions are properly taken for planning reasons.

(i)                   that the Changes be referred to the Standards Committee and then to full Council for approval as it has the effect of amending the Council’s Constitution.

Which cannot otherwise be dealt with.

(1)                 Bentley Priory – Date for Presentation