Issue - meetings

Members considered the most recent data relating to Councillor ‘call-ins’ for planning applications which were regularly reported to the Committee for information purposes.

The heading of the fourth column of the table set out on page 535 of the report was amended to read ‘Number of call-ins July-Dec 2020’.

Councillor Fawthrop explained that when Members called-in an application, it was because of public interest or the application was finely balanced in terms of policy. This was evident from the report where the table on page 536 showed that the number of recommendations overturned and allowed on appeal was 50/50.

The Assistant Director, Planning acknowledged receipt of Councillor Fawthrop’s suggested wording in relation to ensuring that applications were not pre-determined by Members. He also confirmed to Councillor Bear that future reports would contain a figure showing call-ins as a percentage of all applications by Ward.

Members noted the report.