With the Inspector’s work nearly over, it’s very likely that sooner or later we’ll see some planning applications coming in to the District Council for controversial sites.
So it’s worth mentioning that District Councillors aren’t allowed to make their minds up in advance of the planning meeting. So none of us can say in advance how we will vote… We can say things like “I’m concerned about traffic” but can’t give a firm view. And it doesn’t matter what we’ve already said during the core strategy. For example, a councillor who has been willing through the core strategy to allow a particular green field to be built on, might still vote against a particular planning application because the details are all wrong. Whilst a Councillor who has been against an area being developed might reluctantly support an application because some junction improvements might be included.
If any district councillors do declare their views in advance, they can still speak at the planning meeting, but they won’t be able to vote. And the rules also apply if you speak before you become a councillor. Any District Council candidate who puts something in their leaflet like “I will definitely vote against this planning application” won’t be legally allowed to vote on it, even if they win…
Other councillors- Parish Coucillors or County Councillors can express a view, providing they are not District Councillors as well.
I always find this strange, i.e that I could be a candidate and not make clear my view on for e.g the travellers site. The voters should know what they are voting for. Does this mean that any member of RAG could not vote in the Council Chamber on development plans if elected? I always thought that voters should have a choice in that candidate A would vote for something and B against. Whoever wins can then claim to speak for the majority that bothered to vote.
MMMMMMMMMMMM -very interesting, will be watching that criteria very closely !!!!.
Bruce – With specific planning applications we have to make our mind up on the night of the meeting once have the final information after the officers presentation and possibly public speaking time …. but you can speak in very general terms before that.
I’ve not seen anything from RAG yet that would prevent any of their leading members, if elected, from voting.
You have to vote on a planning application on its planning merits – not simply because it is popular or unpopular. Having said that, if an application is unpopular it’s normally unpopular for a reason and that reason may be a good one to refuse it on.