HIGH BICKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk: Mrs Di Carter, 20 Springfield, Four Seasons Village, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8DP
E-mail: cartergrth@aol.com

Policy for dealing with Planning Applications

Planning applications are sent to the Clerk, normally with a 21-day response period. If a scheduled Parish Council meeting is due to be held within this period, applications are discussed and a response agreed at this meeting.

However, when there is no scheduled Parish Council meeting within this 21-day period, eg August, then it is necessary for alternative arrangements to be made for these plans to be dealt with, and the following policy is agreed:

The Clerk will obtain agreement if necessary from either the Chairman or Vice-Chairman that the plans are a) non-contentious or b) contentious.

1. Non-contentious – the Clerk will attach a response form to the plans and pass them first to the Chairman who will then pass them on to another Councillor – this arrangement to be followed until all available Councillors have commented. Any declaration of interest should be noted on this form. If there is agreement on the response, the Clerk will be informed of the decision and inform Torridge District Council accordingly.
2. Contentious – The Clerk will endeavour to secure an extended response date in order that the plans can be dealt with at a scheduled Parish Council meeting. If this extension is not agreed, an Extraordinary Parish Council meeting will be convened if felt to be necessary. In this case the plans may be circulated to Councillors in order that they have some knowledge of the matter to be discussed prior to the meeting, no form for response will be attached.

If felt to be necessary a site visit will be arranged.

Councillors should ensure, when passing plans on to another Councillor, that they are not left without first ensuring that the Councillor is available to take them.

Signed: MYC RIGGULSFORD (Chairman) Date: 8 JULY 2009