1.

MINUTES

1.1

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 12 August 2009 (enclosed).

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

2.1

To receive apologies for absence.

3.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

3.1

To receive any declaration of personal or prejudicial interest by Members relating to items on the agenda.  If any Member is uncertain as to whether an interest should be disclosed, he or she is asked, if possible, to contact the District Solicitor prior to the meeting.

3.2

Members are reminded that if they are declaring an interest, whether personal or personal and prejudicial, they should state the nature of that interest whether or not they leave the Committee Room or Council Chamber.

4.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

4.1

To consider applications set out in the Head of Planning and Sustainability’s Report.  (Any further objections or consultations received will be reported at the meeting).

5.

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS FOR SITE VISITS

5.1

To appoint Members to undertake site visits on Tuesday 6 October 2009 should the need arise.

6.

PRE-PLANNING COMMITTEE TRAINING / INFORMATION SESSIONS   AND MEMBER TRAINING IN INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING MATTERS

6.1

To improve the focus of this “Committee” on issues of more strategic significance, and increase its involvement in spatial planning and performance review a number of changes to its operation came into effect from 1 April 2009.

6.2

In particular, as a pilot, the main meeting will commence at 7.00pm, the time from 6.00pm to 6.50pm being used for training, pre-applications presentations, current application “issues” papers and policy development work.   Unless open to the public these meetings will be held in Committee Room 1.

6.3

Earlier this year this Committee, together with the Regulatory and Appeals Committee, agreed that each Council year a certain amount of training would be mandatory for members and standing deputies of the two committees.  This is because of the quasi-judicial role members on each committee perform when determining planning and other applications.

6.4

Members are advised that on Tuesday 22 September 2009, starting at 6.30pm, a mandatory training session will be held in the Council Chamber entitled “Member involvement in planning matters – positive engagement and avoiding the pitfalls”.  

6.5

With the assistance of an outside expert on ‘probity’ matters and a varied format this session will explore issues such as how Members should handle approaches from developers and how Members can express views whilst avoiding a ‘pre-determined’ view.  It will also review our local procedures for ‘pre-application’ consultation.

7.

FILE ON ACTION TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY

7.1

Submission of file on action taken under delegated powers since the last meeting.  The file on action taken under delegated powers has been placed in the Members’ Room for inspection prior to the meeting.

8.

SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS (IF ANY)

8.1

If circulated in accordance with the five clear days’ notice provision.

9.

URGENT ITEMS (IF ANY)