Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Planning

Purpose of report

To advise the Executive on how the Council is responding to the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Review of Planning Committee Decision Making.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1       To note the work in progress in responding to the PAS recommendations and advice.

Resolved

(1)            That thee work in progress in responding to the PAS recommendations and advice be noted.

The Assistant Director Planning submitted a report to advise the Executive on how the Council is responding to the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Review of Planning Committee Decision Making.

In response to Executive member comments regarding the importance of the continuation of resident and community representation in the planning process, the Assistant Director Planning confirmed that the officer response to the recommendations would not impact on resident and public participation. The Statement of Community Involvement set out the consultation and engagement processes that would be used in preparing planning policy documents.

Resolved

(1)          That thee work in progress in responding to the PAS recommendations and advice be noted.

Reasons

The PAS review of decision-making has put a constructive spotlight on the important work of the Planning Committee and the Development Management service. Significant changes have been made in response to the recommendations of PAS and work is continuing alongside corporate transformation and service improvement. The Council remains at risk of designation in significant part because of the legacy impact of the previous monitoring period. Close monitoring and management of decision making must continue in the interest of emerging from a position of risk and to avoid a similar position in the future. Very close working between officers and Members will be critical in supporting this.

Alternative options

There are no alternatives to the recommendations presented.