Member Planning Panel

Member Planning Panel Terms of Reference

Updated September 2023

1.       General

1.1  Hertsmere Borough Council has responsibility for preparation and adoption of its statutory development plan (the ‘Local Plan’) for the borough. The Council also has responsibility for preparing Supplementary Planning Documents which expand on certain policies in the Local Plan.  Site specific planning briefs/masterplans may also need to be prepared from time to time. Other strategies/guidance/updates may also need to be produced to assist in the understanding of legislative/regulatory changes and/or to assist in the understanding of technical standards/requirements.

1.2  In order to assist the Planning, Infrastructure and Transport Portfolio Holder, and ensure member involvement in the policy making process, the Member Planning Panel is an advisory panel set up to provide views to the portfolio holder (and officers) on strategic or key policy issues. The Panel will focus on strategic planning matters and policy issues which will generally be of borough-wide significance. As such, it will not be a forum for discussing ward-specific issues.

1.3  It should though be noted that the officers and the portfolio holder do not necessarily have to accept the advice of the Panel in preparing reports and documents for consideration by the Cabinet and the Council. However, the views of the Panel can be reported to the Cabinet and Council as part of the decision making process.