The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development regarding the training requirements for Members sitting on the Committee. It was felt that experienced Members should not be required to undertake basic refresher training covering the Duty under Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. However, attendance at training which covered changes to legislation or specialist areas should be required of all Members. The virtual sessions should be recorded and made available to Members as an alternative to the live sessions, should they be unable to attend. On notifying the relevant officer that the recorded training session had been viewed, it would be noted that the training requirement had been fulfilled.

The Planning Team Leader (Mid Kent Legal) stated that there had been significant changes in the last year and that Members returning to the Committee after a break would likely need to take part in training.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The Training Programme set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

2.  The following Members:

·  new Planning Committee Members

·  Members who are likely to substitute at Planning Committee for the first time, and

·  those Planning Committee Members returning to the Committee after a break and Members who are likely to substitute at Planning Committee after a break

must complete the Induction Training and Enforcement Training as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report by the end of September 2022, failing which such Members shall be disqualified from participation at Planning Committee until this training has been completed;

3.  All Planning Committee Members and all those Members who are likely to substitute at Planning Committee be strongly recommended to complete at least two specialised / best practice subject area training sessions (other than those in recommendation 2) covering those other topics set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

4.  Parish Councillors be invited to all training events; and

5.  Training sessions be delivered virtually, and recorded and made available to Members with confirmation that the training has been undertaken by that Member.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Committee wished to convey their best wishes to Mrs Snook to get well soon, and their thanks to Mrs Banks for clerking the meeting at short notice.