Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet approve:

a)        the proposed amendments to the Statement of Community Involvement;

b)       public consultation be undertaken for 6-weeks on the proposed amendments for referral back to Cabinet for adoption; and

c)        Cabinet’s feedback on the nature of applications referred to the Planning Committee be communicated to the Chair of the Planning Committee for consideration.

The Business Manager – Planning Policy & Infrastructure presented a report concerning an update to the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) in relation to the Planning Committee permitting public speaking.  At their meeting held on 14 March 2024, the Planning Committee resolved to allow public speaking in accordance with the ‘Protocol for Dealing with Planning Matters’. The SCI provided the detail of engagement by the Council in relation to planning matters – both for plan preparation as well as for consideration of a planning application as well as pre-application advice.  The SCI therefore required amending to address that public speaking had now been permitted.

The opportunity had also been taken to ensure that the SCI was up to date in relation to a number of other matters given the time elapsed since it was last updated. The amendments were identified in the appendix to the report.

AGREED (unanimously) that:

a) the proposed amendments to the Statement of Community Involvement be approved:

b) public consultation be undertaken for 6-weeks on the proposed amendments for referral back to Cabinet for adoption; and

c) Cabinet’s feedback on the nature of applications referred to the Planning Committee be communicated to the Chair of the Planning Committee for consideration.

Reasons for Decision

To ensure the SCI aligns with the Council’s Constitution and ‘Protocol for Dealing with Planning Matters’. To allow consultation to be undertaken on the Draft SCI.

Options Considered

It was not considered appropriate to continue with an unamended SCI following the decision of Planning Committee to allow public speaking.