The Planning Committee undertakes the
regulatory and other related functions of the Council as Local
Planning Authority and Building Control Authority.
The Planning Committee consists of 17 members.
Meetings are generally held every four weeks, on a Tuesday at
6.30pm. Meetings are open to the public although where
‘exempt’ information is discussed, members of the
public will be asked to leave the meeting. We have a small public
gallery which will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
We also endeavour to livestream the meetings on YouTube. Videos
will then remain available for six months after the meeting,
although the council reserves the right to remove a video if it
deems it necessary.
If attending a meeting, you may be visible on
the livestream and video. If you do not wish to be visible on
camera, please speak to Democratic Services on arrival.
Public speaking at Planning Committee is
allowed at the discretion of the chairman. The following is an
extract from the council’s constitution which sets out the
rules for speaking at Planning Committee:
Part 3c Planning Committee procedure rules
2.
Procedure at the meeting
2.1
The order of the agenda will be arranged or amended to ensure
applications with speakers are heard first.
2.2
The chair will announce each application in turn.
2.3
The planning officer will make any introductory
comments.
2.4
Registered speakers will have the opportunity to address the
meeting – the
objectors will go first, followed by those speaking on behalf of
the applicant. Five minutes will be allowed for objectors and five
minutes for those speaking on behalf of the applicant.
2.5
The relevant ward member will be allowed to speak for five
minutes.
2.6
The Executive member for development management matters will be
allowed to speak for no more than two minutes each on an
application. The chair may exceptionally allow the Executive member
to speak for up to five minutes where the chair considers the
application to be of major significance.
2.7
The Member of Parliament and County Councillor may speak on matters
affecting their constituency or division for a maximum of two
minutes.
2.8 A
representative of the relevant parish council may speak for a
maximum of two minutes.
2.9
The planning officer will have the opportunity to respond to the
comments made by the speakers.
2.10 The
committee will then consider the application and ask any questions
of officers.
2.11 The planning
officer and/or solicitor will be allowed to make any concluding
points.
2.12 The
committee will vote on any proposition or amendment which has been
moved and seconded.
2.13
When a decision is likely to be taken contrary to an
officer’s recommendation (either for
approval or refusal) the Head of Planning & Development,
Planning Manager (Development Management) or Principal Planning
Officer may request a recorded vote. If that
vote results in a contrary decision, the committee’s reasons
shall be minuted. The Head of Planning &
Development, Planning Manager (Development Management), Principal
Planning Officer and/or the Legal Services Manager (or their
nominee) shall also be given the opportunity to explain the
possible implications of a contrary decision.
2.14 If a
decision on an application is deferred, there will be no
opportunity for members of the public, parish or county councillors
to speak unless the application is considered by the Head of
Planning in consultation with the chair to have been the subject of
subsequent, significant amendment.
3. Speaking by
the public on planning applications
3.1
Public speaking is allowed at the discretion of the chair. The
chair’s decision is final.
3.2
Objectors and the applicant (or those speaking on behalf of the
applicant) may speak at Planning Committee except on those
applications where
·
another body directs refusal
·
the borough council is a consultee only.
3.3
Speaking at meetings of the Planning Committee is
limited to:
An
objector to a planning application where:
·
The objector has made a written comment on the
application
·
The grounds of objection raise material planning
considerations
·
The objector has given the required notice of a wish
to speak.
An
applicant(s), or agent(s) appointed to act on their
behalf.
Objectors will have five minutes to speak. Where more than one
objector wishes to address the meeting, Democratic Services will
put the objectors in touch with each other so they may agree how
they will share the time allowed. The objectors should inform
Democratic Services of the agreement they have reached. If no
agreement is reached, the first person who made the request shall
speak.
Applicants may also share the five minutes as they see
fit.
3.4
Speaking will be allowed only if the planning application is one
which is reported to a meeting of the Planning Committee for them
to determine, on the basis that it is not delegated for decision at
officer level.
3.5
Anyone wishing to speak will need to contact Democratic Services by
email, telephone or in writing no later than 4.00pm on the Thursday
before the meeting.
3.6 No
written submissions, photos, presentations or other material will
be accepted from speakers at the meeting.
3.7
Applications will not be deferred because of the absence of an
applicant or objector, or other person, who has indicated a wish to
speak.
For further information or to
register to speak, please contact Democratic Services on 01455
255834 or email
democraticsupport@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk