Purpose

To consider various updates to the Constitution to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Decision

Recommend to Council:

1. That amendments to Article 7 regarding planning functions be approved as set out in Appendix 1 of the report from the date that the Regulations come into effect which is 31 October 2026.
2. That for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 Regulations, the Chairman of the Planning Committee is the nominated Member and in case of absence or a conflict of interest, the Vice-Chairman of the Planning shall be the nominated Member.
3. If neither the Chairman nor Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee can serve as the nominated Member, the Executive Member with Responsibility for Development shall be the nominated Member.
4. That the Planning Committee comprises 13 Members (and named substitutes) as set out in paragraph 1.6 of the report to take effect on the date that the Regulations come into effect on 31 October 2026.
5. That amendments to the Planning Code of Good Practice be approved as set out in Appendix 2 of the report to take effect on 31 October 2026.
6. That amendments to the Policy Framework in Article 4 Council functions be approved as set out paragraph 2.1 of this report.
7. That amendments to Part 3.4 Council Procedure Rules be approved as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report for calling an extraordinary meeting of council and 3.2 for submission of motions on notice.
8. That a revised Article 12 – Council Owned Companies be approved as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.
9. That a delegation be added to Article 9 – Officers as set out in paragraph 5.4 in this report.
10. That the Monitoring Officer exercises their delegated authority to make changes to the Constitution arising from any matter of fact, legislative changes or administrative errors that may be subsequently identified.