Conservatives on Cornwall Council have called for ’democracy to be restored’ to planning decisions during the coronavirus lockdown period.
The Council, which is run by a Lib Dem / Independent coalition, says it is considering holding virtual meetings for full council and some other purposes, but that it does not intend to hold planning meetings remotely.
Council leader Julian German says that 95 percent of planning applications are already decided by planning officers under delegated powers and that this would continue.
A petition was launched by Councillor Mark Formosa, calling for plannig applications that would have been voted on by members to continue to be discussed by committee.
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The Council has said that planning applications ’called in’ by a local member for debate at committee will be discussed via Skype by the chair and vice-chair of the planning committee together with whichever councillor represents the particular area.
But Conservative group leader on Cornwall Council Linda Taylor says this doesn’t go far enough.
’During these difficult times it is clear that much of normal council business has had to pause or change,’ she said.
’Nonetheless we still have our statutory duties as a council, which includes making decisions through the planning and licensing process.
’The Conservative Group sees the need to have virtual planning meetings with engaged planning members and public participation.
’These are important decisions being made that can have a massive impact on the communities we serve.
’Where our neighbours in Exeter and Plymouth councils are holding virtual meetings with councillors, we have to ask, why is this not the case here in Cornwall?’
Cllr Taylor said that the technology existed and that councillors and officers were already holding informal meetings via Skype.
Cllr German has said that town and parish councils will cotinue to be consulted on planning applications affecting their areas. He said it was important to ensure that any use of virtual meetings was robust and that access could not be interfered with.