Content

That Council:
 

(i)           
Approves the adoption of a single
Planning Committee with a membership of 13 Councillors, reflecting
the existing arrangements.

 

(ii)           
Notes the Planning Infrastructure
Act 2025 and the anticipated subsequent Regulations which may
prescribe mandatory parameters for committee size and
composition.

 

Reason for Decisions – The
decisions align with best practice in accordance with the Planning
Advisory Service (including their review in 2024.)

 

Alternative Options Considered
– The following options were considered and
disregarded:

•        
To not undertake a review of the
planning committees, this was disregarded on the basis that it
would not be in accordance with the agreed motion of
Council.

•        
To delay the presentation of this
report to Council on the basis of intended and anticipated changes
to legislation and regulation. This was disregarded on the basis it
would not be in accordance with the motion agreed at Council.
Additionally, the timescales for the operational changes arising
from legislation and regulation are not yet known. This delay would
disproportionately disadvantage those members who sought and
supported this review before Council.

•        
To revert to the arrangements in
place prior to May 2025. This was disregarded on the basis that
this was not consistent with best practice as outlined within the
report, and that there is no operational need demonstrated for
additional committee capacity.