CAMBRIDGE CITY
COUNCIL
To: Councillors Blencowe, Cowell, Dryden,
Harrison, Hipkin, Nimmo-Smith, Schofield M, Slatter, Smart, Smith
Alt: Cllr Dixon (LD)
Published & despatched: 5 March
PLANNING SUB-COMMITTEE
Date: 13 March 2002
Time: 9.30am
Place: Committee Room 1, The
Guildhall
Contact: John Blunt Ext: 7015
7 Review Of Public Speaking Rights At Planning Subcommittee
(Committee
Services)
Following the introduction of Public Speaking Rights (PSR) at Planning Subcommittee on 18 May 2000, and a subsequent review on 26 July 2000, it has become apparent that a further review is necessary to address some practical problems and issues that have arisen in the implementation of the scheme. The Local Government Ombudsman has also indicated informally in discussion on a recent case, which is still outstanding, that any constraints on the right to speak does not accord with best practice.
In general, members and officers have indicated that
the Scheme needs to be amended to take account of the following:
·
The existing
rules are rather complex and have caused some confusion about who can and
cannot speak and under what circumstances.
·
Public being
excluded from speaking under the existing rules, and being unable to influence
the discussion in the event of members coming to a contrary view to that of
officers overturning the officers’ recommendation.
·
The role of
Ward Councillors and Councillors from other authorities. The previous practice
has been to allow City Council Ward Representatives to speak (but not vote) as
a member of the Subcommittee. With the introduction of PSR, this may have lead
to confusion in the eyes of the public and it would be helpful if the rights of
Ward Councillors were set out in the scheme.
To try to resolve some of these problems it is suggested that the current scheme be amended as follows:
Current Scheme |
Proposed Amendment |
|
The following procedure applies if you are interested
in speaking at a meeting of the Planning Sub-Committee. How do you qualify to speak at a meeting of the Planning Sub-Committee? You may speak against an application if all
of the following criteria are met : C
You have submitted a written representation
relating to the application. C
You have registered with the Committee Manager
by 4.00pm on the day before the meeting. C
The officer recommendation is for approval. You may speak in support of an application
if: C
The officer recommendation is for refusal and
you have registered with the Committee Manager by 4.00pm on the day
before the meeting. OR C Someone else has spoken against a recommendation for approval. |
You may speak
about an application if: §
You are the
applicant or the applicant’s representative, and have registered with the
Committee Manager by 12 noon on the day before the meeting. or §
You, as a
member of the public, meet the following criteria: ·
You have
submitted a written representation relating to the application, and · You have registered with the Committee Manager by 12 noon on the day before the meeting. (Delete all) |
This will have the effect of allowing anyone, who is an applicant or has written in, and provided they have registered, to speak about an application, whether for or against. Initially this may lead to an increased take up of PSR at meetings, as it will mean all applicants, even when their application is recommended for approval, may speak. However, once the changes, if agreed, have bedded down, the use of PSR by applicants whose application is recommended for approval may decrease.
Ward Councillors and Councillors from other local authorities
In relation to Ward Councillor representation it was
felt that it would be premature to submit proposals to the Subcommittee at this
stage as some issues needed further discussion. Officers will come forward with
proposals, following consultation with Chair and Spokesperson, to the April
meeting of the Subcommittee.
The Subcommittee is recommended to
1. Approve the changes to the Public Speaking Rights scheme as set out above to take effect for the April meeting of the Subcommittee meeting.
2. Note the position regarding Ward and other local authority Councillors speaking at meetings.
3.
Amend the
leaflet covering PSR accordingly once the scheme has been further revised to
take account of any other changes.
Information for the public
You are welcome to attend this meeting as observers, although it may be necessary to ask you to leave the room during the discussion of matters which are described as confidential on the agenda.
~~~
Members of the public, who want to speak against an application on the agenda for this meeting can do so, if they have submitted a written representation within the consultation period relating to the application and notified the Committee Manager that they wish to speak by 4.00pm on the day before the meeting.
~~~
In the event of the fire alarm sounding
(which is a continuous ringing sound), you should pick up your
possessions and leave the building by the route you came in. Once clear of the
building, you should assemble on the pavement opposite the main entrance to the
Guildhall and await further instructions. If your escape route or the assembly area is unsafe, you will be
directed to safe areas by a member of Cambridge City Council staff.
The dates of the Subcommittee’s meetings in 2002 are
as follows:
|
January 16 February 13 March 13 April 17 |
May 15 June 19 July 17 August 14 |
September 11 October 9 November 6 December 4 |
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