Purpose

For the Council to respond to the statutory consultation in respect of the proposed new changes in planning legislation, which would affect planning applications that can be reported to the Planning Committee, the size of the Planning Committee and other ancillary matters. A motion for the leader to respond to the consultation on the proposed regulations “making a strong case that all applications should remain subject to call-in by elected councillors so that they and the interested parties can debate the issues openly, as now, and that no regulations should be introduced about the size of planning committees” was debated at Full Council on the 10th July 2025 and sent to Cabinet.

Decision

The Council to respond to the government consultation, opposing the change in the operation of the planning committee and the proposed limits on the size of committees.

Reasons for the decision

Thanet District Council (TDC) is responding to this government consultation because the Council holds a strong view regarding change to the delegation of planning applications and operation of planning committees and would like that view considered before the government makes a final decision on the matter. The decision is being made through an individual cabinet member decision in order for TDC to meet the deadline for submitting a response to the public consultation. Details of the Council's view on the government proposals are set out in the formal response document attached as annex 1 to this decision.

Alternative options considered

The option to not respond to the consultation was not pursed to ensure that the views of the Council could be considered by the government prior to making a decision.