Development Control Committee - Public Speaking

Introduction Shepway District Council wants to make sure that the way it reaches its decisions on planning applications is fair and open.  It, therefore, encourages public speaking at the Development Control Committee.  Below are some questions and answers which are designed to help you make the most of this opportunity.

Questions about Public Speaking

• Who can speak at a committee meeting?

As well as members of the committee and council officers:

• a member of the public against the proposal;
• a member of the public in favour of the proposal;
• a representative of the town or parish council;
• Shepway District ward members and
• the applicant or his agent

may speak for up to three minutes each at a meeting.  No discussion between speakers and the committee or officers is allowed.  This is also the order in which speakers are taken.

No discussion between speakers and the committee or officers is allowed.

• How can I find out whether an application is to be considered by the Committee?

The Council deals with over 1000 applications every year and the Planning Control section does not have the resources to keep everyone informed about progress on all of them.

You will need to find out from the officer dealing with the application (the case officer) whether the application will be considered by the Committee as most applications are determined by the Planning Manager under delegated powers.

Some applications are complex and take many months to determine and you will have to keep in regular contact with the case officer to find out whether an application will go to a committee meeting.  Please see list of dates of meetings

• How and when do I have to let the Council know that I want to speak?

If the application is to be reported to a committee meeting and you have written to the Council with comments, you will receive a letter giving you details about a week before the meeting.

You will need to give written notice that you would like to speak by 5pm on the Thursday before the meeting using the form on the leaflet sent with your letter or by emailing your request to planning@shepway.gov.uk.  No late notifications can be accepted.

• What happens if more than one local resident who wishes to speak?

If local residents have not chosen someone to speak on their behalf, the system operates on the basis of 'first come, first served', although priority can be given to people living closest to the application site.  Where there is a dispute, the final decision will be made by the chairman of the committee.

You will be notified as soon as possible after we have received your form whether or not you will be able to speak.  The person who is able to speak can subsequently allow somebody else to speak in their place if they wish. 

• What happens at the Committee meeting?

Planning applications where someone has given notice that they wish to speak will be considered first.  Brief details of the application will be given by officer of the council. Each speaker will then be invited to address the meeting in turn.  Please note that you will not be allowed to distribute any material at the meeting. If you want to send in more information, it should be sent to the Civic Centre, ideally not later than the day before the meeting so that officers can summarise it for the Committee.

When the speakers have finished the Committee will debate the proposal and reach a conclusion.  If you do not wish to speak or are unable to for some reason then the Committee will still have to take all the written views into account.

The Laws of Slander

• These laws are very strict.
• If in public you say something about a person which is not true, even if you believe it to be true, you may be sued and have to pay compensation. Therefore you need to be very careful about any criticism you wish to make of people.
• Councillors are able to speak more freely and bluntly while in Council, Committee or Sub-Committee meetings than members of the public.
• You, as a member of the public, do not have the same protection.

Dates of Meetings

Meetings of the Development Control Committee are held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, unless otherwise announced, and start promptly at 7.00 p.m.  View dates.

All minutes, agendas and documents for meetings will be available five working days before the date of the meeting from the Civic Centre and can be viewed by clicking here. 

If you would like to speak at one of the Development Control Committee meetings, you will need to fill in a Public Speaking Leaflet, which you can request by ringing 01303 853452 or by emailing your request to planning@shepway.gov.uk.