Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision:  

The report explained the processes by which decisions on planning and development briefs could be taken by area committees from 1 July 2012, and seeks Executive Councillor approval to adopt these processes.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change:

              i.      Approved the Principles for involving Area Committees in Decisions on Planning and Development briefs set out in Appendix A of the report; and

            ii.      Agreed to request that the Council’s constitution be amended to reflect Appendix A of the report.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Head of Planning regarding the Devolving Decision Making To Area Committees – Planning And Development Briefs.

Members made the following comments:

              i.      Councillor Herbert expressed concern that the policy was inflexible, poorly worded and overly bureaucratic. He was concerned that embedding such a details proposal in the constitutions would lead to problems later on.

            ii.      Some members felt it was unfair that West Central Area Committee would be making decision on the City Centre issues.

          iii.      Likewise West Central Area Committee would be funding City issues that would benefit all residents.

         iv.      A strategic overview of decisions was needed and this should involve all Councillors.

           v.      Concern was expressed about inconsistencies in where decisions were taken. Some small decisions are taken centrally while much larger decisions were revered to Area Committees.

Councillor Reiner proposed an amendment to Appendix A, paragraph 2 of the report, as follows:

(Where cross-ward  cross area committee boundary proposals are involved; or proposals related to major schemes involving more than 250 dwellings or 10,000m² of other or mixed floor space the default pre-scrutiny process will include presentation to the Area Committee(s) but the final recommendation will be from Development Plan Scrutiny Sub-Committee to the Executive Councillor).

The amendment was agreed nem com.

The committee resolved by 4 votes 0 to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.