Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Corporate Director Partnerships which proposes changes to the Council’s Constitution to cater for Local Development Orders and the scheme of delegation relating to planning applications.

The Committee considered the report of the Corporate Director which detailed the proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution to cater for Local Development Orders and the scheme of delegation relating to planning applications. The suggested changes related to two principal areas:  firstly to provide the ability for the Council to make Local Development Orders (LDOs) and secondly, to make minor alterations to the proposals that would have to be determined by Committee rather than being delegated to Officers for determination. 

The Committee were advised that amendments had been made to paragraph 3.21 to reflect the changes discussed at Constitution Working Group.

The Head of Planning circulated a flow chart which detailed the decision making process and the plan for wider consultation for an LDO, as requested by the Constitution Working Group.

He suggested that a proposal for an LDO could originate from the Portfolio holder / Cabinet / Planning Committee. The process would then be to refer this to Planning Committee who would review the proposal and prepare a statutory consultation.  Members would be given an opportunity to comment.  Final report would be approved by Planning Committee.

The Chair queried page 33 of the report relating to applications for a change of use to Class A2(c). Councillor Taylor advised that the report had been reviewed thoroughly at both Planning Committee and Constitution Working Group and they both supported the suggested changes and indicated a preference for Option A with regard to applications for a change of use to a pay-day loan shop or betting office to be brought to Committee where the Officer recommendation was for approval.

General Purposes Committee agreed that Option A be recommended to Council.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL that the suggested changes to the Constitution set out in Paragraph 3.17 and 3.21 of the report be approved.