Decision details
Public Speaking Policy at Planning Committee
Decision Maker: Assistant Director - Planning and Strategic Infrastructure
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
To approve the recently reviewed Public
Speaking Scheme for the Planning Committee
Reasons for the decision:
The Government, through its Planning Reforms,
is looking at the way Planning Committee’s operate
nationally.
In this context, and given the period of time that has elapsed
since it was last reviewed, the Planning Committee Chairman,
Portfolio Holder for Planning and the Assistant Director for
Planning have reviewed the Public Speaking Scheme for the Planning
Committee. This review included input from Democratic Services and
Legal Services.
The guiding principle in making the alterations (please see
attached updated scheme) is to ensure that the decisions taken by
the Committee are robust and defendable, with risk of challenge
minimised.
Alterations are made to reduce the time available to speakers to
ensure that the points that are made are clear, concise and
material to the case.
Alterations to the questions to speakers is not fundamental, more
reiterating and clarifying the existing position. It is key that
questions to the public speakers are for clarification on the
points made, rather than debate or cross-examination.
Alternative options considered:
Not to amend the scheme.
Publication date: 14/01/2025
Date of decision: 02/01/2025
Accompanying Documents: