Agenda item
QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC
To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which, in the opinion of the Lord Mayor, are relevant to the business of the meeting in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.
Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Corporate Support Department, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five clear working days before the date of the meeting.
Minutes:
The following questions were received from members of the public, in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.
Mr Keats attended the meeting to ask his question and Councillor Lock (Chair of the Planning Committee) responded as set out below -
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Question No
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Question By |
Chair of the
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Subject |
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4 (11/12) |
Mr R Keats
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Planning Committee |
Planning Committee on 22 December 2011
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Will the Chair accept that the 22 December is a totally unreasonable date on which to consider the Waste to Energy Application and will he promise to choose an alternative.
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Response: Full Council agree the schedule of Planning Committee meetings for the year ahead. As Chair of the Planning Committee it is my responsibility, taking account of advice I receive from officers, to set the dates for any additional committee dates needed so that we can deal with the planning applications made to the Local Planning Authority in an efficient and effective manner – and our reputation for so doing is well known.
I have previously stated that the date is not set in tablets of stone and depends on the applicant submitting more information in relation to the Regulation 19 letter - which they have done. The adequacy of their response is currently being considered by the public, by consultees and by our planning officers.
In considering an appropriate date I am also aware that the Highways Agency have imposed an Article 14 Direction which effectively prevents a decision being made by the Planning Committee before 20th December 2011 – and this Direction has still not been withdrawn.
Finally, it depends on our planning officers being given an opportunity to try to negotiate a suitable and adequate Section 106 package that enhances any likely benefits and mitigates the likely impacts of the proposed development, in the community interest. This has to be undertaken prior to any officer recommendation being made to the Planning Committee.
I am receiving regular progress reports on all these matters. I will keep this issue under review during October and November to see whether the planning application is ready to be presented to the Planning Committee in December as our planning officers go through their process of assessing all aspects of the application including the views expressed by local people.
However, I must point out that the 22nd December 2011 is a normal working day and there is no reason why the Planning Committee should not meet on a normal working day. |
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Mr Lloyd did not attend the meeting and his question, and the response from Councillor Lock (Chair of the Planning Committee), were circulated to councilors as set out below. The response would be sent to Mr Lloyd following the meeting.
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Question No
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Question By |
Chair of the
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Subject |
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5 (11/12) |
Mr D Lloyd |
Planning Committee
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Public consultation on the Waste to Energy application
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Does the Chair of the Planning Committee agree with most people in Plymouth that the public consultation on the Waste to Energy Application has been totally inadequate and what action will he take to remedy this.
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Response: I am aware that the applicant has made extensive efforts to organise community events, meetings and exhibitions as well as developing a detailed web site in order to ensure that the community are aware of the application and have the opportunity to comment upon it.
The initial assessment of our planning officers is that the application has been made in a manner that is consistent with our Statement of Community Involvement. This process is continuing as public notice has recently been given about the receipt of additional information and local people, including those who have already made representations, have been invited to consider the information and whether their concerns have now been adequately addressed.
As Local Planning Authority we have also made extensive efforts to publicise the planning application and encourage local people and other stakeholders to make comments upon it.
I therefore do not consider that the consultation on the application has been inadequate. |
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