Agenda item

5.1       The Committee received a report which provided an overview of the current   format and terms of reference of the Planning and City Development Committee. The Committee, which they then discussed.

5.2       The Planning & City Development Committee comprises 15 members of the             Council, consisting: of 10 Majority Party members and 5 Minority Party           members. These members must be members of the Planning          Applications Sub-Committees. Attendance of 3 members constitutes a             quorum. Planning & City Development Committee meetings are held in a     hybrid format, and, unlike Planning Applications Sub-Committee meetings, members of the Committee are able to join the meetings remotely along with             those observing the meeting. The Committee currently meets three times a      year’.

5.3       The Committee considers proposed local plan policies (and supplementary       planning documents) at appropriate stages of the statutory process for their          preparation and adoption and makes recommendations to the relevant             Cabinet Member, has oversight of the practices and procedures of the         Planning Applications Sub-Committees, and considers and recommends a            training programme for members of the Planning Applications Sub-            Committees. The Committee has developed and assisted officers with the             introduction of recordings of virtual Planning Applications Sub-Committees.

5.4       Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic             Development, addressed the Committee and advised that his portfolio included planning policies. Councillor Barraclough advised that planning was   split into two components, namely the adjudication and decision of planning             applications and planning policy. The Committee were advised that there was        a drive for economic development and ensuring that the benefits of working    and residing in the city are widely spread. Councillor Barraclough’s portfolio           also includes the Smart Cities Initiative which aims to review how technology             can be used to manage the city and make it more habitable

5.5       Councillor Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Regeneration and             Renters, addressed the Committee and advised that he would be working in collaboration with Councillor Barraclough on the Environmental SPD.   Councillor Noble advised that current mechanisms would be used to           maximise affordable housing and work is continuing to produce an Affordable            Housing SPD. The Council will also be reviewing the climate impact of its own         schemes to ensure that the net zero carbon emission target is met across the             city by 2040.

5.6       Councillor James Small-Edwards, Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning and     Economic Development, addressed the Committee and commented that he     would be supporting Councillor Barraclough and will take lead on in certain             topics. Councillor Small Edwards advised that he was currently working with             officers on the introduction of a Design Review Panel (DRP), work on which was at an early stage’

5.7       The Chair hoped that members of the Committee would use their experience          of Planning Application Sub-Committee sittings to identify key points and            trends in the applications that come before them in order to inform Cabinet            Members’ work on developing policy. She also hoped they would share their       experiences with each other. The Committee noted that Members would be     able to identify trends in the applications that come before them at the      Planning Applications Sub- Committees.

5.8       Councillor Barraclough commented and welcomed the proposals for the         Committee expertise being used to inform policy development and suggested that this is undertaken in a different setting such as informal workshops. The          Committee was advised that the redesign of the officer reports to the Planning          Applications Sub-Committees could be a possible topic for consideration in a             workshop setting. This will ensure that the report formats meet the          requirements of the Planning Application Sub-Committee Members. It was      agreed that the Committee should continue to meet three times a year for the   time being, and that the frequency of their meetings be reviewed at later         stage when all Members have gained further experience.

5.9       The Legal Officer advised that the Council’s Constitution was currently being             reviewed and that she would liaise with the Monitoring Officer regarding the timetabling and report back to the Committee. Members were informed that   membership of the Committee was allocated on a proportional basis.

5.10     The Committee were informed that the room layout for Planning Applications            Sub-Committee had been revised following comments from Members and     would continue to be assessed to ensure that it is fit for purpose.

RESOLVED

1.         Members noted the contents of the Report.

2.         That Members inform the Chair about their views on the use of informal   workshop to discuss policy ideas and other topics.

3.         That Officers provide feedback regarding the work programme and timetable    for revising the Constitution.