Agenda item

To consider the Member Motion – Stansted Airport Appeal as proposed by Councillor Khan and seconded by Councillor Isham, as follows:

On the eve of the largest Defence of a Planning Appeal relating to Stansted Airport that this Council has faced in more than a decade, Council calls for a full debate in which all members of the Executive explain the current status and process that has been followed since January, 2020 by the Council’s Defence Team.

The objectives of such explanation would be to satisfy the Council of the soundness, objectivity and objectives of the process to date and henceforth intended.

Furthermore, Council resolves to set up as soon as possible a Member-led initiative to engage with the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) or similar body to audit and scrutinise the process applied since 2018.

Councillor Khan presented his motion regarding the Stansted Airport Appeal which had been supported by ten cross-party signatories.

CouncillorIsham, as the seconder of the motion, spoke on the motion.

Member discussion took place.

Members sought clarification as to the point at which an amendment to the motion would be taken.

CouncillorCoote said that the amendment to the motion should be taken.

The Leader said that Councillor Khan had raised a number of issues that were offered in the amendment to the motion. He asked that the amendment to the motion be called.

The Chair moved forward to the amendment to the motion.

Councillor Evans outlined his amendment to the motion.

CouncillorMerifield, as the seconder of the motion, spoke and said she supported moving forward to a Members’ briefing.

The Chair asked Members to only speak to the amendment to the motion.

Members spoke both in support and against the amendment to the motion. References were made to Members’ briefings previously held.

The Leader said that all questions would be answered in a Members’ briefing. He proposed to go to the vote.

CouncillorCoote seconded the motion.

There was no dissent shown to the proposal that the question be put to the amendment to the motion proposed by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Merifield.

A roll-call was taken on the amendment.

RESOLVED:

As all Members will be aware, it is unconstitutional for Members to direct officers on legal matters, including upon planning appeals. However it is agreed that it is vital that Members are able to question Council officers and their representatives fully about the Stansted Airport planning appeal process.

Council therefore calls for a full debate, by way of a further member briefing, allowing for additional full and democratic questioning concerning the appeal process, to take place immediately on conclusion of this council meeting. The briefing shall relate to the current status and process that has been followed by the Council’s Defence Team since January 2020 in order that members and officers may engage collectively and fully to further the understanding of all members.

The objectives of such a briefing would be to satisfy the Council of the soundness and objectives of the process to date and henceforth intended.

Furthermore, Council calls on the Scrutiny Committee, at the appropriate time, to consider whether there is a need to initiate a Member-led review and, if so, to engage with the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) or similar body to audit and scrutinise the process which commenced under the previous Administration in 2018.

The amendment was carried 22 for, 9 against and 6 abstentions and became the substantive motion.

Members discussed the substantive motion.

The Chair moved to the vote on the substantive motion.

A roll-call was taken on the motion. 

RESOLVED:

As all Members will be aware, it is unconstitutional for Members to direct officers on legal matters, including upon planning appeals. However it is agreed that it is vital that Members are able to question Council officers and their representatives fully about the Stansted Airport planning appeal process.

Council therefore calls for a full debate, by way of a further member briefing, allowing for additional full and democratic questioning concerning the appeal process, to take place immediately on conclusion of this council meeting. The briefing shall relate to the current status and process that has been followed by the Council’s Defence Team since January 2020 in order that members and officers may engage collectively and fully to further the understanding of all members.

The objectives of such a briefing would be to satisfy the Council of the soundness and objectives of the process to date and henceforth intended.

Furthermore, Council calls on the Scrutiny Committee, at the appropriate time, to consider whether there is a need to initiate a Member-led review and, if so, to engage with the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) or similar body to audit and scrutinise the process which commenced under the previous Administration in 2018.

The substantive motion was carried 28 for, 2 against and 7 abstentions.

The meeting ended at 8.43 pm.