Issue - meetings

The Principal Planning Officer presented the item on Member Training to the Committee.

RESOLVED: That,

1.  New Planning Committee members and new substitute members complete Planning Induction Training by the end of July 2017, covering the Development Plan, Planning Policies & Guidance, Legislation, Planning Conditions, Refusal of Planning Applications, and Section 106 Agreements in order to fulfil the requirements in the Constitution.

2.  Existing Planning Committee members and substitute members complete training by the end of September 2017 covering annual refresher training on Planning Policies & Guidance, Legislation, Planning Conditions, Refusal of Planning Applications, and Section 106 Agreements in order to fulfil the requirements in the Constitution.

3.  Planning Committee members and substitute members complete training as deemed appropriate by officers following the introduction of any new policy, guidance or legislation in order to fulfil the requirements in the Constitution.

4.  Planning Committee members and substitute members are strongly recommended to complete the following optional training sessions:

a.  Legal Training including Pre-determination of Planning Applications (General and Constitution background), and Planning Judicial Reviews (General process).

b.  Maidstone’s New Local Plan – How its policies will continue to deliver high quality development.

c.  Between 1-3 specialised/best practice subject area sessions potentially covering design, air quality and biodiversity but to be agreed between the Head of Planning and Development and the Political Group Spokespersons. (This would be likely to be run by an external trainer/body within a budget of £2,000).

Voting:  13 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions