I’m a District Councillor with responsibility for Democracy &
Transparency at East Devon District Council. The Leader has proposed
that three Cabinet Members sit on the quasi-judicial Development
Management Committee for the rest of the civic year. The Cabinet
Members are the Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holder for Finance and
Portfolio Holder for Economy & Assets. None of them have specific
responsibility for Development Management.
PAS advise that: “Local planning authorities will usually have a
cabinet or executive member responsible for development and planning
(sometimes known as the portfolio holder). PAS advise that the leader
and portfolio holder of a local authority, who play an important role
driving planning policies and proposals, should normally exclude
themselves from decision making committees. This is to avoid the
perception of a conflict of interests and predisposition.”
Can I take it that as long as the Cabinet Members declare the
relevant interests that there is no problem being members of the
Development Management Committee?
Many thanks,
Paul
