The Development Manager presented an updated report setting out a proposed training programme to enable Members and Substitute Members of the Committee to fulfil their responsibilities under the Council’s Constitution and their individual responsibilities to maintain their knowledge and understanding of local and national planning policies and legislation.

The Development Manager advised the Committee that the proposed session on Ecology would include Biodiversity; all Members would be invited to attend the training sessions; the sessions would be delivered virtually to maximise participation; and a referral would be made to the Policy and Resources Committee to enable Members and Substitute Members of that Committee to complete their training in the event of the Planning Referrals process being invoked.

During the discussion, it was suggested that subject to budgetary constraints, Members and Officers should be offered the opportunity to participate in external training courses such as those provided by Design South East.  Members welcomed the opportunity to take part in training sessions covering a wider range of topics, but some Members were concerned about losing the interaction enjoyed at in-person sessions.

In response to questions, the Development Manager advised the Committee that:

·  The intention was to record the training sessions and make them available for viewing later, but this would be subject to Data Protection requirements and the consent of participants.

·  The Officers were investigating whether a package could be developed to enable Members to self-serve from a selection of planning training modules, but this would require some method of confirming that the training had been undertaken.

·  Members could make specific requests for Design Tours both within and outside the Borough and Members could be involved in the selection of sites to be visited.

·  Training on Sustainability could be incorporated into one of the sessions.

·  The scope of the proposed training session on Section 38(6) and the Development Plan could be widened to cover the weight to be given to emerging Local Plan policies.

The Democratic Services Officer reminded the Committee that it was already a requirement of the Council’s Constitution that Members undertake a review at least annually of implemented planning permissions to assess the quality of the decisions made.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Planning training programme, attached as Appendix 1 to the Officers’ report, be approved subject to the scope of the  session on Ecology being widened to cover Biodiversity; the scope of the session on Section 38(6) and the Development Plan being widened to cover the weight to be given to emerging Local Plan policies; and training on Sustainability being incorporated into one of the sessions.

2.  That new Planning Committee Members, new Substitute Members and those Planning Committee Members and Substitute Members returning to the Committee after a break must complete the Induction training and Enforcement training as outlined in Appendix 1 to the Officers’ report (as amended) by the end of September 2021, failing which such Member shall be disqualified from participation in the Planning Committee until this training has been completed. 

3.  That all other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71