Public participation in Planning Committee

The request was successful.

Dear Hyndburn Borough Council,

Civic Voice, the national charity for the civic and conservation movement is campaigning to put public participation at the heart of the planning system. With this in mind, I am writing to request the following information under the Freedom of Information Act:

1. Can you confirm how long, in minutes, a community group such as a Civic Society is permitted to speak at your local council’s Planning Committee? (By ‘Planning Committee’ we mean your local authority’s committee of elected members which determines planning applications. It may be known by a different name in your local authority).

2. Is there a limit on the number of registered speakers permitted to speak at your Planning Committee? If yes, please specify the maximum number of speakers allowed.

3. Is there a limit on the total time allowed for registered speakers? If yes, please provide details of the time restriction.

4. Are your Planning Committee procedure rules publicly available online? If yes, please provide the weblink.

Yours faithfully,

Sarah James

foirequests, Hyndburn Borough Council

Dear Sarah,

Thank you for your e-mail requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Your request is being considered and you will receive the information requested within the statutory timescale of 20 working days as defined by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, subject to the information not being exempt or containing a reference to a third party.

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions which may prevent release of the information you have requested. There will be an assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then the information will not be released. You will be Informed if this is the case, including your rights of appeal.

If the information you request contains reference to a third party then they may be consulted prior to a decision being taken on whether or not to release the information to you. You will be informed if this is the case.

There may be a fee payable for 'reasonable disbursement' costs such as postage and photocopying. This will be considered and you will be informed if a fee is payable. In this event the fee must be paid before the information is processed and released. The 20 working day time limit for responses is suspended until receipt of the payment. If appropriate, the information may be provided in paper copy, normal font size. If you require alternative formats, e.g. language, audio, large print, etc. then please let me know.

If you have any queries or concerns then please contact me on 01254 388111 or [Hyndburn Borough Council request email] .

Yours sincerely,

FOI Co-ordinator
Hyndburn Borough Council

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foirequests, Hyndburn Borough Council

Dear Sarah,

Your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 has been considered and a response is below:

1. Can you confirm how long, in minutes, a community group such as a Civic Society is permitted to speak at your local council’s Planning Committee? (By ‘Planning Committee’ we mean your local authority’s committee of elected members which determines planning applications. It may be known by a different name in your local authority).

A. All speakers are allowed up to 5 minutes

2. Is there a limit on the number of registered speakers permitted to speak at your Planning Committee? If yes, please specify the maximum number of speakers allowed.

A. Yes One Objector, One Supporter (unless it is a major planning application which there would be two Objectors and two Supporters permitted per application), Ward Councillors and Parish Councillor (Hyndburn only has one ‘Altham’’) if planning permission is required within the Altham boundary.

3. Is there a limit on the total time allowed for registered speakers? If yes, please provide details of the time restriction.

A. Maximum of 5 minutes

4. Are your Planning Committee procedure rules publicly available online? If yes, please provide the weblink.

A. https://democracy.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/docu... (Council’s Constitution ‘Rules Applying to Planning Committee’ (page 20))

If you have any queries or concerns or if you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request then please contact me at
Legal and Democratic Services,
Hyndburn Borough Council,
Scaitcliffe House,
Ormerod Street,
Accrington,
Lancashire
BB5 0PF or: [Hyndburn Borough Council request email]
If you are still dissatisfied then you can also complain to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700 www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Yours sincerely,

FOI Co-ordinator
Hyndburn Borough Council

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