The Council has a number
of regulatory committees and sub-committees that make
what are called 'quasi-judicial' decisions to do with planning,
licensing and rights of way. These are known as 'non-executive'
functions and they cannot be dealt with by the
Cabinet.
Chairmen of the committees are elected each year by the
committee members to manage the business of the committee and
provide leadership and direction. They must ensure that balanced
decisions are taken based on all the relevant evidence with
impartiality and fairness. Chairmen also liaise and consult
with relevant Council officers where appropriate.
A vice-chairman takes on a full deputising role in the
absence of the chairman as well as sharing and supporting the
chairmans' workload. They also work actively with the chairman to
co-ordinate the work of the committee.
Committee membership reflects the
political membership of the Council.
Information about how decisions are made and the procedures
which are followed can be found in the the Council's
Constitution.
Development Control Committee and area
Sub-Committees
The Development Control Committee is responsible for the control
of development, i.e. all planning applications, listed building and
similar consents. It meets to determine applications considered to
be of significance to the district as a whole and applications
advertised as departures from the Development Plan but proposed to
be approved contrary to the recommendation of the Head of Planning
Services.
It is serviced by
two Development Control Sub-Committees, which cover
the north and south areas of the district, to consider planning
applications. About 15% of the 2,500 applications received by the
Council are determined by committee. Applications are normally
reported to committee if there are local objections or
representations made by the
ward
councillor.
The majority of applications are determined by
the Head of Planning Services under delegated powers
set out in the
Scheme of Delegation (new window PDF
54KB) which is part of the Council's
Constitution.
The chairman of the Development Control Committee and the
two area sub-committees is
Councillor Ivan Jowers. Follow the links below
to find out:
The Council has a
code of good practice (new window PDF
80KB) which sets out how it deals with planning and other
applications.
Licensing & Health Committee and Sub-Committee
The Licensing and Health Committee is responsible for the some
of the Council's functions in relation to the control of pollution,
statutory nuisances and other environmental protection matters.
It is also responsible for the formation and review of the
Council's licensing policy in relation to alcohol and entertainment
licences, gambling and betting, and the licensing of taxis, etc.
The committee chairman is
Councillor Les Binns.
The Licensing and Health Sub-Committee (made up of three
committee members) and licensing hearings deal with the issue,
renewal or revocation of licences and the registration of persons
and premises.
Rights of Way Committee
The Rights of Way Committee deals with issues concerning public
rights of way which are the within the Council’s powers and
responsibilities, including dealing with applications for the
creation, diversion and closing of footpaths and bridleways. The
committee chairman is
Councillor Rhona Sturrock
The Council has a
code of good practice (new window PDF 73KB)
which sets out how it deals with applications for public
path orders and agreements.
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF
files.