Agenda and minutes

Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development - Friday, 14th October, 2022 11.00 am

Venue: Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth. View directions

Contact: James Harris Senior Local Democracy Officer Email: james.harris@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Media

Items
No.	Item
17.	Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Cllr Ryan Brent.
18.	Declarations of interest Minutes: There were no declarations of interest.
19.	Record of Previous Decision Meeting - 26 July 2022 PDF 109 KB A copy of the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 July 2022 is attached . Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 July 2022 were agreed by the Cabinet Member.
20.	Recommendations from the Scrutiny Management Panel in respect of the Call in of the decision taken by the Cabinet Member for Planning Policy & City Development on 26 July 2022 in respect of item 4 on that agenda "Options for increasing Planning Committee Capacity." PDF 90 KB Purpose To present the Cabinet Member with the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Management Panel held on 27 September 2022. Options open to the Cabinet Member (i) Taking into account the observations made by the Scrutiny Management Panel, the Cabinet Member amends the decisions made on 26 July 2022; or (ii) Taking into account the observations made by the Scrutiny Management Panel, the Cabinet Member reconfirms the decisions made on 26 July 2022; or (ii) Taking into account the matters raised by the Scrutiny Management Panel, refer the matter on to the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee for comment prior to either amending or reconfirming the decisions made on 26 July 2022. Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Options for Committee backlog and Scheme of delegation FINAL , item 20. PDF 170 KB Appendix 2 - Decisions , item 20. PDF 60 KB Minutes: After an introduction by the Assistant Director for Planning & Economic Growth the Cabinet Member invited Cllr Judith Smyth to speak. Cllr Smyth highlighted the difficulty of the matter and the finely balanced decision to uphold the call-in at the Scrutiny Management Panel. All present at the Scrutiny Management Panel had however expressed the belief that this area of the Constitution required investigation by the Constitution Working Group as it was currently unclear what powers the Cabinet Member had. In the absence of clarity, she believed that the matter should be referred to the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee prior to a final decision being made. Should the Cabinet Member be minded to refer the matter to the Governance Audit & Standards Committee, as Planning Committee Chair, she encouraged that they meet as soon as possible in order for a decision to be taken to help clear the backlog of planning applications. The Cabinet member regretted the delay incurred but believed that the matter should be referred to the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee prior to a final decision being made. RESOLVED that taking into account the matters raised by the Scrutiny Management Panel, the Cabinet Member referred the matter on to the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee for comment prior to either amending or reconfirming the decisions made on 26 July 2022.