The Committee considered a report outlining proposals to increase charges for pre-application enquiries and to extend the scope of pre-application enquiries offered and charged for.

The Head of Development Services reported that fees had been introduced in 2008 and had not increased since then.  There was also a proposal to provide advice to householders, a service that had not been available in the past. 

In response to questions from a Member of the Committee, the Head of Development Services reported that proposed £50 charge for a householder meeting was a flat fee.  The Committee heard that meetings were then followed up with a letter to the applicant outlining the discussions that had taken place.  A disclaimer was included at the bottom of the letter which explained that any advice provided in the pre-application discussion was not binding on decisions taken by the Council.  The Committee considered how local Councillors could be made aware of pre-applications and asked Officers to further investigate how information could be passed to local Members.

Action 1: Officers to review how information on pre-applications is passed to local Councillors.

A Member queried how the distinction between a meeting and a lengthy telephone conversation could be made.  The Head of Development Control Services explained that the purpose of the request for delegations to Officers was to deal with issues such as these.  A Member suggested that there should be a charge of £50 for advice regardless of the way in which the Planning Department were contacted.

A Member also queried the ‘negotiable’ charge for Major applications including £375 per hour for meetings and asked where the negotiation fitted.  The Head of Development Control Services explained that the number of hours could be negotiated as well as any out of pocket expenses that might be incurred.

A Member questioned whether there could be a perception that the expectations of applicants could be raised through introducing charges for advice as applicants may assume that having paid for advice from the Council an application would then be approved.  The Head of Development Services highlighted that there would be a disclaimer on the letters sent to applicants who had paid for advice from the Council.  Advice would also be based on the Council’s policies but Officers would not be in a position to commit the Council to specific decisions.

A Member sought clarification surrounding whether pre application advice would be given by the same officer who had delegated powers to take a decisions on a specific application.  The Head of Development Control Services clarified that no planning applications were passed by just one officer.

            Resolved: That Cabinet be recommended to:

(a)       approve the increased charged for Planning pre-application enquiries and extend the scope of pre-application enquiries that are charged for, as set out at Appendix A of the report; and

(b)       authorise the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Community and Planning Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to apply and publicise the Council’s approved charges; to agree individual charges in particular where Appendix A indicates that these are ‘negotiable’; and to prepare or revise procedures and guidance to ensure that the charges are applied effectively.