Decision details

56.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISION

56.2     RESOLVED to recommend that the County Council agree an amended Motion, as set out below: 

“This Council believes that Local Government should maintain the responsibility that it currently enjoys in respect of determining planning applications within its boundaries.  This Council requests its Leader:

i) to take all possible measures to lobby Central Government to ensure that local responsibility is maintained

ii) enlist the help of the Local Government Association and the County Councils' Network to pursue this aim.”

Reasons

56.3     The original Motion did not fully reflect the statutory position affecting the County Council in determining planning applications.  The South Downs National Park Authority is the local planning authority for all land within the National Park. The County Council can only appraise planning applications relating to waste and minerals, and its own development.  All other types of development which require planning applications are considered by the Borough and District Councils.  There are powers for the Secretary of State to call in applications for his determination. The amended Motion seeks to address the statutory position.