MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

COUNCIL

11 APRIL 2018

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING, SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE HELD ON
6 FEBRUARY 2018

PLANNING SERVICE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (PSIP)

Issue for Decision

To consider the recommendations relating to the Planning Service Improvement Project.

Recommendation Made

That the Monitoring Officer be instructed to amend the Constitution to reflect the changes agreed by Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee (see Appendix 1 to the report), effective from the new municipal year (2018/19).

Reasons for Recommendation

The Planning Review was concluded by Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee at its meeting held on 13 November 2017. The next stage in the process is the Planning Service Improvement Project, which is the implementation of the selected recommendations.

The recommendations relating specifically to Members and Committee were considered at a working group held in December 2017 consisting of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Planning Committee and Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee, Councillor Munford and Officers.

Out of the 7 recommendations relating to Members and Committee, 3 were not favoured to be taken forward, but 4 were (albeit to a greater or lesser degree). The working group focussed its discussion around 3 of the recommendations it was minded to take forward, relating to; Member induction and training (in relation to Planning Committee), the Parish “Call In” process, and the operation of the Planning Committee. In respect of the recommendation around the operation of Planning Committee (recommendation 5), the working group developed 6 suggested improvements (A-F)  for consideration by Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee to accept, amend or reject.

The Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee at its meeting held on 6 February 2018 considered the recommendations and the Committee’s amendments to the Planning Service Improvement Project can be seen in the far right column in Appendix 1.

Alternatives Considered and Why Not Recommended

If the Council chooses not to instruct the Monitoring Officer to amend the Constitution to reflect the changes agreed by Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee it would mean that the changes could not be applied.

Background Documents

Appendix 1 – Planning Service Improvement Project Recommendations