Issue - meetings

Council considered a report from the Monitoring Officer in respect of amending the Council’s Constitution to reflect national changes in permitted development rights.

In response to a query from the Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support, the Monitoring Officer stated that there was no time limit that could be imposed in respect of the Development Management Prior Approval Process.  He advised that he would liaise with Officers in terms of how this process would operate.

Members were advised that Officers would keeping a close eye on this process and would report back to the Development Management Committee.  In response to a query from the Leader, the Monitoring Officer stated that Officers would take account of Members’ views and Officers could then make a delegated decision or refer the matter to the Development Management Committee.

Councillor D Andrews expressed a concern that should a premises change use from agricultural use to business use (B1), then the premises could become another use entirely should legislation be changed again in future.

The Monitoring Officer advised that Officers would be carefully monitoring this situation.  Council approved the amendment to the constitution as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that in respect of delegation to Officers relating to planning matters, the Council’s Constitution be amended as detailed at paragraph 2.3 of the report now submitted.