Issue - meetings

Background:

This report sought approval to update the scheme of delegations for the Planning Service. The updated delegations would cover the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) Examination and other examinations, such as an examination of a local plan produced by another local planning authority. 

The Planning Inspectorate had accepted the LTC application for examination, which therefore would progress to the pre-examination stage during which, the Council would be invited to register as an Interested Party and to submit a Relevant Representation. 

The current Employee Delegation Scheme did not go far enough to enable officers to effectively represent the Council in examinations in a timely manner and the report therefore proposed a change to the Employee Delegation Scheme, which was demonstrated as tracked changes at Appendix 3.

Reasons:

By agreeing the amendments to the Employee Delegation Scheme, the Planning Service will be able to effectively represent the Council in examinations in a timely manner.