Issue - meetings

Report DRR18/023

Members received an update on the award of costs from planning appeals made in the financial year 2017/2018.  The report also contained an update on cost claims paid in the same year. 

It was noted that the Council had actively applied for and been awarded costs against an appellant whom the Council believed had acted unreasonably. 

The Chief Planner outlined the report and explained that appeals were submitted to and considered by the Planning Inspector.  In the event that unreasonable action was proven by either party, compensation costs could be awarded.  It was, therefore, vital that strong grounds for refusal were established when considering planning applications. 

Training seminars on planning work (including appeals and costs) were held for Members.  The Chairman suggested that in future, the first planning meeting of the Municipal Year involving new Members of the Council, should not be scheduled until after Member Induction courses had taken place.

It was reported that a sizeable number of appeals were the result of decisions taken by officers however, cases were decreasing year on year.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.