Consideration was given to a report which sought the approval of the Council to adopt a formal protocol relating to the engagement of Members in pre-application discussions, with a view to providing clarity and fairness to the process and, thereby, seek to make it accountable. Members were also informed that this would enable the Council to operate in accordance with current good practice.
However, it was explained that the Committee would only be able to comment on the amendments because the final decision in respect of the changes rested with the Council.
RESOLVED that it be recommended to Council that:-
(a) the Member Protocol for Involvement in Pre-Application Discussions for Proposed Development, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved and implemented with effect from 1st October 2011;
(b) any Member wishing to become involved in Pre-Application Discussions under the Member Protocol must complete appropriate training;
(c) the implementation of the protocol be reviewed jointly by Members and officers after twelve months of implementation; and
(d) authority be delegated to the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services to make the necessary amendments to the Council's Constitution in respect of the implementation of the Member Protocol for Involvement in Pre-Application Discussions for Proposed Development.