Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th December, 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that upon consideration of a Schedule of Planning and Other Applications received, together with the recommendations in respect thereof, the recommendations be approved in accordance with Schedule and marked Appendix ‘A’.

The Committee considered a report introduced by the Head of Planning detailing the proposals for Doncaster Councils Planning Committee Protocol. It was reported that the protocol responded positively to the ‘Planning Committee Peer Review’ which was undertaken by the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) in November 2018.

The Key findings of the Peer Review report highlighted a number of potential improvements to the Planning Committee function and associated processes were identified at paragraph 3 of the report. It was noted that adoption and implementation of the protocol will mean that the final outstanding actions from the Peer Review recommendations will have been addressed and completed.

Details of the purpose of the Protocol and what the Protocol covers were identified at paragraphs 6 and 7 of the report. Page 34 of the report provided Members with a summary of the response to the Members briefing held on 23rd November 2021. The Protocol attached to the report represented the final version of the Planning Committee Protocol, having responded to all the additional consultation and feedback that had been received to date. It was important to note that the Protocol would be under ongoing review and if required be brought back to Committee for consideration and approval.

Discussion took place with regard to working relationships between Members and Officers and whether assurances could be provided that Members would receive a response from officers in relation to their queries within a set time and whether this could be built into the Protocol. Assurances were provided to Members that working relationships were taken seriously. However, the Protocol was more about how the Planning Committee functions. If members were not receiving responses in a timely manner they should raise this with the Manager or by contacting the Head of Planning. Additionally, in terms of additional consultation undertaken with Planning Committee members, it had been mentioned that officers should work more closely with Ward Members, this had been built into the Protocol at paragraph 3.17.

The Chair wished to comment that Members and Officers have had really good open and frank discussions in relation to the protocol which has ensured that the process was open, transparent and inclusive. The Chair and Members wished to thank all for their contributions.

Subsequently, it was MOVED by Councillor Daniel Barwell and seconded by

Councillor Duncan Anderson that the Planning Committee Protocol be adopted.

A vote was taken on the proposal made by Councillor Daniel Barwell which was declared as follows:-

                        For                  - 7

Against          - 0

Abstain           - 0

On being put to the meeting, the motion proposed by Councillor Daniel Barwell was declared CARRIED.

                        RESOLVED that the Planning Protocol be adopted.