Public speaking at Planning Committee

The Council is committed to extending public participation in the planning process. Members of the public are welcome to put their views on a planning proposal directly to the Planning Committee when planning applications are being considered. The Council wants this procedure to be easy to use and fair to all who are participating.

 

Letters of support or objection will also continue to be taken into account.

 

The information below answers some of the questions you might have about the procedures and what to expect at the meeting itself. It also explains how and when you speak.

 

Can I speak on all planning applications?

 

Only on those items which are due to be determined by the Planning Committee. All major developments go to Committee, also applications 'listed' by local Councillors because of local planning concerns.  The vast majority of the applications are however, determined by planning officers under 'delegated powers' and do not come to Committee.

 

When and where does the Planning Committee meet?

 

These meetings are held in Committee rooms 1 and 2 in the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham.  Normally meetings take place on a three weekly cycle.  They are held on a Wednesday evening and start at 7.00pm. Dates of meetings are subject to change but you can check them on our meeting schedule.

 

Who can speak at the meeting and how long?

 

There will be a maximum of nine minutes public speaking time allotted to each development proposal. This time is divided between the following categories:

 

 

The Council will inform all of the above of the date of the Committee meeting, the planning officer's recommendation and the process for public speaking. Where more than one person wishes to speak within a particular category, either a spokesperson can be mutually agreed to speak on behalf of all within that category or the three minutes shared. The time limit cannot be exceeded.

 

How do I arrange to speak at the meeting?

 

There are several ways people can register to speak (see below), but Democratic Services must have been contacted by no later than 5.00pm on the last working day before the relevant meeting, (usually Tuesday).

 

Telephone, post, fax or email the Democratic Services section or complete the public speaking at Planning Committee online form. 

 

Contact details are given below.

 

Please remember to state your name, address, daytime contact number, planning application reference, the proposed development to which it refers and whether you wish to speak in support of, or against, the application.  Please also advise if you will be using transparencies or a powerpoint presentation.

 

 

Yes. Additional visual material, including plans and photographs, may be produced at the meeting, please do not duplicate any material in the Committee Agenda.  This information will be taken into account in any decision.  However, it must be in the form of A4 size transparencies, so it can be displayed onto a screen for the Committee to see, we can also arrange for the use of a laptop if you wish to show a powerpoint presentation.  Papers cannot be circulated during the meeting.  All speakers must arrange production of their own transparencies.  The Council regrets it is unable to assist in this matter.  Time spent using such material for explanatory purposes is included within the 3 minutes.

 

What is the procedure for speaking?

 

The Chairman will announce the application and a planning officer will give an introduction. Then the following groups of speakers will be invited to address the Committee, in the following order:

 

 

Members of the Committee will not question speakers unless the Chairman considers there are relevant matters raised which are not covered in the officer's report. Members may then seek clarification from Council staff on particular points, prior to making their decision.

 

 

This will depend on the application, but should be restricted to matters covered by planning legislation. Examples may include:

 

 

When determining applications, the Committee is not permitted to take into account matters, which are outside the remit of planning. Examples may include:

 

 

Can I see the Planning Officer's report on the application online?

 

Yes, reports can be seen on tour agendas and minutes page.

 

A limited number of Agendas will be available in the Committee Room at the meeting. Please leave the agenda in the room after your application has been decided to allow others to use it.

 

Who do I ask if I have any queries?

 

If you have any queries on these arrangements, have any questions not answered by this page or require further assistance please contact:

 

Tricia Harcourt,

Senior Democratic Services Officer

Wokingham Borough Council,

Shute End,

Wokingham

RG40 1WQ

 

Tel: 0118 974 6091

Fax: 0118 974 6057

Email: democratic.services@wokingham.gov.uk