Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 16^th January 2014 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record, subject to a resolution being added to item 27, Meetings Timetable 2014/15, recording that Annual Council be changed to a 6:30pm start from 6pm.

The chairman informed the meeting that in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, she had agreed to consider an item of urgent business concerning the revised protocol on planning procedure, which the Standards Committee had recommended to Council Business Committee for inclusion in the constitution.

A decision was required urgently to being the protocol in line with the most recent legislation.

The Democratic Services Manager reported that the revised protocol had been considered by Standards Committee at its meeting of 24th April 2014, where it had been recommended for inclusion in the constitution, subject to an additional point being added to the introduction.

The additional point would re-iterate that the protocol was a public document, and advise members that they could provide a copy to members of the public who contacted them regarding a planning matter.

Resolved:

That the revised protocol be approved and added to the constitution.

To receive declarations by members of interests in respect of items on this agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the council’s register of interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with part B section 2 of the code of conduct, members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the code of conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Democratic Services Manager introduced a referral report from the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee regarding speaking at its meetings and, in particular, Council Procedure Rule 27.2 regarding Ward Councillors registering to speak.  Council Business Committee changed Rule 27.2 at its meeting on 16 January 2014 and the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee report asked that this change be reconsidered.

The report also explained that the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee had decided not to take up the suggestion from Council Business Committee to extend the speaking times for members of the public and Ward Councillors.

Following reconsideration of Council Procedure Rule 27.2, and some debate, Members agreed to slightly revise the wording as indicated below:

Where the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee or the Licensing Regulatory Committee is considering an individual application, any Member who represents the ward to which the application relates may address the relevant Committee to express views in favour or against the application; for a maximum of three minutes in the case of the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee. Ward Members wishing to speak at Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee must register with Democratic Services before noon on the Thursday before the Committee meets and must state on whose behalf they are will be speaking (i.e. their own; on behalf of their ward or on behalf of a group of residents) and whether they intend to speak in opposition or support or are neutral to the planning application.

Resolved:

(1)          That the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee’s resolution not to extend the speaking times for members of the public and Ward Councillor be noted.

(2)          That council procedure rule 27.2 be amended to read as follows:

Where the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee or the Licensing Regulatory Committee is considering an individual application, any Member who represents the ward to which the application relates may address the relevant Committee to express views in favour or against the application; for a maximum of three minutes in the case of the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee. Ward Members wishing to speak at Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee must register with Democratic Services before noon on the Thursday before the Committee meets and must state on whose behalf they will be speaking (i.e. their own; on behalf of their ward or on behalf of a group of residents) and whether they intend to speak in opposition or support or are neutral to the planning application.

Resolved:

That Councillor Melanie Forrest be replaced by Councillor Caroline Jackson on Personnel Committee.