Issue - meetings

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report that invited Members to consider public speaking arrangements for the additional meeting of the Committee on 30 January 2014,dealing with application 3/13/0075/OP relating to land at Bishop’s Stortford North, following the deferral from the Development Management Committee meeting held on 5 December 2013.

Members were advised that Officers were suggesting, for the reconsideration of the proposals, a total period of 15 minutes would be permitted for those who wished to speak in objection to the proposals, on the basis of the deferral reason.  The same total period would then be offered to any supporting parties.

Officers would establish appropriate deadlines for registration of requests to speak and all other normal arrangements for public speaking would apply.  Where any matter was raised with regard to the arrangements which were not addressed in the report, it would be subject to decisions by the Director of Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.  Members were asked to consider and endorse these proposals.

Members had a general debate on the options for public speaking arrangements.

Councillor G Jones proposed and Councillor G Williamson seconded, a motion that a maximum of 30 minutes each should be made available for objectors and the applicant, on the basis that the discussions would be restricted to the access arrangements relating to the proposed western neighbourhood (Phase 1).

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

The Committee approved the public speaking arrangements as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) at the Development Management Committee scheduled for 30 January 2014 relating to the deferred planning application 3/13/0075/OP, 30 minutes each be made available for objectors and the applicant, on the basis that the discussions would be restricted to the access arrangements relating to the proposed western neighbourhood (Phase 1); and

(B)   the Director of Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Chairman of the Development Management Committee, be authorised to determine any other necessary arrangements.