Reaching decisions
Copies of the agenda containing the full reports of the planning officers are circulated to all councillors five working days before the meeting of the committee and published online.
View meeting dates, minutes, agendas and reports
Each report contains full details of the proposal along with a summary of the history of the site in question, the relevant policies, summaries of the views of objectors and supporters, and the reasoned judgement of the planning officers. It also contains a recommendation to approve or refuse the application.
At the meeting:
- The case officer will provide summary information on each application.
- Members of the public may address the committee, usually to object to or support an application. Find out more about speaking at committee.
- Councillors will then debate the application and make a decision.
- The committee's decision is reached either unanimously, or, where opinion is divided, by a show of hands.
The committee is free to make its decision on the basis of the planning merits and other issues surrounding each application.
If the committee seeks to make a decision different to the officer's recommendation, the decision must be based on proper planning reasons.
Should additional information be required, an application may be deferred until a subsequent meeting in order for that information to be provided.