The role & responsibility of Planning Committee members in making decisions on planning applications.

Accountability:

• To Full Council

Role purpose and activity:

Understanding the nature of the Planning committee and quasi-judicial decision making

• To be aware of the quasi-judicial nature of Planning committee decision making
• To have sufficient technical, legal and procedural knowledge to contribute fairly and correctly to the function of the committee
• To be thorough and objective in receiving and responding to professional advice in the conduct of meetings and individual cases/applications before the committee

Participating in meetings and making decisions

• To participate effectively in meetings of the Planning committee, ensuring that both local considerations and policy recommendations are balanced to contribute to effective decision making
• To make informed and balanced decisions, within the terms of reference of the committee, which accord with legal, constitutional and policy requirements

Internal governance, ethical standards and relationships

• To ensure the integrity of the committee’s decision making and of his/ her own role by adhering to the Code of Conduct(s) and other constitutional and legal requirements
• To promote and support good governance by the Council
• To understand the respective roles of members, officers and external parties operating within the regulatory committee’s area of responsibility

Values

To be committed to the values of the Council and the following values in public office:

• Openness and transparency
• Honesty and integrity
• Tolerance and respect
• Equality and fairness
• Appreciation of cultural difference
• Sustainability