How to behave as a councillor determining tricky planning applications is to be reviewed by the Isle of Wight Council.
Some members suggested the review of protocols was only being done because people did not get the results they wanted when determining applications.
Code of practice not fit for purpose
The council’s planning meeting on Tuesday night heard that the code of practice for planning may not be fit for purpose due to a lack of guidance and clarity.
Proposing the review, Cllr Chris Jarman said there were issues that clearly needed to be addressed regarding the advice they had been given, which was contradictory and at times inflammatory.
Claims the code caused has confusion
The code sets out guidance for roles including as a ward councillor and as a member of the planning committee.
It has, the paper says, caused confusion when it comes to voting as a ward member, attending site visits and the decision framework.
External legal advice has been taken, but is said to have often failed to provide a satisfactory conclusion.
Cross-party working group
A cross-party group of councillors will review the policies, practices and protocols of the planning service, including the code of practice.
Not all members were in favour of the working group, however, with Cllr Chris Quirk, a former chair of the planning committee, saying it seemed to him it was a case of dissatisfaction of some committee members, who did not get the results and recommendations they wanted, blaming officers for giving bad advice.
Claims of wider politicking
Cllr Warren Drew also shared his concerns with the wider politicking that was taking place in the council, saying the review could go awry.
Cllr Matt Price said they did not want to add more pressure to the planning staff, and he could only be a part of it if it was respectful to planning staff, but it was a starting point.
Any findings of the working group will go back to the committee before it is taken further.
The paper can be read in full below.
Article edit
4.15pm 3rd Mar 2022 – Code of Conduct corrected to Code of Practice
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
