Councillor, are you predetermined or not?

As the number of planning applications across the country increase, there are an increasing number of Councillors who are under the misapprehension that they either should not or will not engage with developers.

So, let’s start with the ones who think they should not engage with developers because they will predetermine themselves.

Let me explain predetermination: If you go around saying/writing/tweeting/facebooking etc  “I will vote against/for this application then it comes to the Planning Committee (and only if you are actually ON the Planning Committee, then you would have predetermined yourself and will have to withdraw from the Planning Committee and NOT vote on the application. You ARE ALLOWED to engage and represent the views of your residents you represent even if you are on the Planning Committee.

And if you are an officer reading this and are advising your Planning Committee members, please do make sure that they understand this. Of course, for probity we would prefer you in the meeting to make sure that the Councillor doesn’t overstep the mark but for heaven’s sake, don’t advise them to not engage. You are undermining their democratic duty to represent their electorate!

If you are NOT on the Planning Committee, you can’t predetermine yourself so don’t even try that excuse.

In relation to Parish Councils, you are NOT the Planning Authority, you are a consultee. It is literally impossible to predetermine yourself as you are NOT the decision maker. Not engaging is a failure in your democratic duty to represent the people.

Now, on to our friends who won’t engage…

 My advice to you is very simple: whether you like it or not, there is a Government with a 1.5 million homes target and every Council needs to deliver a 5-year housing land supply (i.e. the number of homes that need to be built) and infrastructure like solar farms and roads etc. Development will happen and if you want your community to benefit from the substantial improvements (i.e. money for and infrastructure you won’t otherwise get) then I suggest to you very politely that you need to engage.

Development is not going to go away if you pretend it doesn’t happen. All that will happen is that a development that second guesses what is best for the people you represent will happen. Therefore, you would have failed your local community – the very people that voted you in in the first place. You wanted to be their voice – now be their voice.

Even if you don’t support the housing or are planning to campaign against it. There is a distinct possibility that the application will be allowed by appeal and if you didn’t give your input, don’t be angry or surprised if it doesn’t deliver for your community.

So, when a developer reaches out, remember your democratic duty. Engage with them!

Until next week,

Henry