Council Constitution

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution

Article 9 - Speakers Panel (Planning)

9.1 Regulatory and Non Executive Functions

1. The Council will appoint Speakers Panels to discharge its quasi judicial and regulatory functions, as set out in Schedule 1 of the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000.
   
   
2. These include functions relating to;
   
   
   • Town and country planning and development control
   • Health and safety
   • Employment appeal matters
   • Other appeals regarding specific housing, social services and education matters including the granting of discretionary rate relief to foundation schools
     
     
3. Where the Monitoring Officer has exercised his/her absolute discretion in referring a dispute to the Panel, the Panel will consider disputes regarding the authority of a Scrutiny Panel to consider a specific matter.

9.2 Form, Composition and Function

1. The Council will appoint the Membership of the Panel, based on the rules of political balance and will consist of a maximum of 14 Members.
   
   
2. No Executive Member may be a Member of the Speakers Panel (Planning).
   
   
3. The Speakers Panel (Planning) will have one Chair and two Deputies. The Chair and one Deputy shall be from the majority group and the other Deputy Chair shall be from the Opposition Group, subject to the rules of political balance.

9.3 Information

The Speakers Panel (Planning) shall have access to all Executive agendas and supporting documents and shall have the opportunity to intervene on procedural issues. Such intervention may include general advice, interpretation of the Council’s Standing Orders and Regulations or, (subject to discussion with the Monitoring Officer and the Chair of Council Business), referral to the appropriate Scrutiny Panel.

9.4 Whipping

1. The Whip will not apply to any of the political groups or their respective Members on the Panel while they are taking part in Panel business.
   
   
2. Each political group shall present to the Chief Executive, each Municipal Year, a statement that demonstrates the necessary freedom of its Members from the whipping process on the Speakers Panel.

9.5 Basis of Decision Making

1. Decisions by the Panel will be taken, and seen to be taken, in a non party political manner within the framework of the law, Council Policy and the Constitution.
   
   
2. No political meetings shall take place.
   
   
3. Each Member of the Panel will act in accord with protocols and guidance that the Council may determine.

9.6

The Speakers Panel is not the subject of examination by Scrutiny Panels.