Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The report details proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution, specifically, that CP9, CP10 and CP 11 should be merged into a single document covering all elements of Council conduct which relate to planning matters.  It is considered that this approach would increase the likelihood of both Councillors and member of the public finding the information about conduct relating to Planning.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Celia Tierney on 0161 474 3230 or email: celia.tierney@stockport.gov.uk

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution, specifically that CP9, CP10 and CP11 should be merged into a single document covering all elements of Council conduct which relate to planning matters, making the information more easily accessible.

It was reported that the Planning and Highways Regulation Committee had considered the report at its meeting held on 12 January 2017 and supported the proposed amendments.

It was reported that the Constitution Working Party at its meeting held on 8 February had expressed concern about paragraph 11.7 of the Code of Conduct and its interpretation of Section 25(2) of the Localism Act 2011 and having an ‘open’ or ‘closed’ mind and a ‘settled mind’ on a particular development application. Members requested to comment on an amended version of the Code of the Conduct prior to its approval by the Council Meeting.

The Executive Councillor for Reform & Governance (Councillor David Sedgwick) attended the meeting to answer members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         The Scrutiny Committee echoed the concerns expressed by the Constitution Working Party regarding paragraph 11.7 of the Code of Conduct and its interpretation of Section 25(2) of the Localism Act 2011 and having an ‘open’ or ‘closed’ mind and a ‘settled mind’ on a particular development application. It was suggested that very clear guidance should be given to Councillors regarding Predetermination.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party be supported.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The report details proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution, specifically, that CP9, CP10 and CP 11 should be merged into a single document covering all elements of Council conduct which relate to planning matters.  It is considered that this approach would increase the likelihood of both Councillors and member of the public finding the information about conduct relating to Planning.

The Working Party is requested to comment on the report.

Officer contact: Celia Tierney on 0161 474 3230 or email: celia.tierney@stockport.gov.uk

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution, specifically that CP9, CP10 and CP11 should be merged into a single document covering all elements of Council conduct which relate to planning matters, making the information more easily accessible.

Members of the Working Party expressed concern about paragraph 11.7 of CP9 – Code of Conduct for Councillors and Officers dealing with Planning and Development Matters and its interpretation of Section 25(2) of the Localism Act 2011 and having an ‘open or ‘closed’ mind and a ‘settled view’ on a development application.

RESOLVED – That CP9 - Code of Conduct for Councillors and Officers dealing with Planning and Development Matters be revised and re-submitted to a future meeting of the Working Party.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The reort details proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution, specifically, that CP9, CP10 and CP 11 should be merged into a single document covering all elements of Council conduct which relate to planning matters.  It is considered that this approach would increase the likelihood of both Councillors and member of the public finding the information about conduct relating to Planning.

The Committee is recommended to comment on the report prior to its consideration by the Consitution Working Party.

Officer contact: Celia Tierney on 0161 474 3230 or email: celia.tierney@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Monitoring Officer (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution, specifically, that CP9, CP10 and CP 11 should be merged into a single document covering all elements of Council conduct which relate to planning matters.  It was considered that this approach would increase the likelihood of both Councillors and member of the public finding the information about conduct relating to Planning.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·        A member stated that they did not agree with any proposal to disestablish the Town Centre Committee and the return of decision-making relating to strategic planning applications in the town centre to the Central Stockport Area Committee on the basis that such decisions had a wider borough-wide impact should be taken on a cross-party basis.

·        In response, another member commented that the creation of the Town Centre Committee had created a disparity in decision-making and local accountability whereby councillors representing the Brinnington and Central ward were the only three members on the Council who had no say at any stage in the determination of planning applications that fell within their ward.

It was reported that any proposal to disestablish the Town Centre Committee would be the subject of a further report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.