Agenda item

Two members raised questions as follows:

Resident Engagement - Information was sought as to whether local residents or House Group representatives, including those from certain blocks located within Aldersgate Ward, were being sufficiently informed and engaged regarding the impact of ongoing building works at the City of London School for Girls.

Clarifying that that the applicant in respect of the works concerned had been the City of London Corporation, Officers advised that the planning permission included a condition requiring the applicant to submit details to mitigate any impact on residential amenity.  This had not yet been actioned, a matter raised with environmental health officers prior to the meeting.

Delegated Authority – It was questioned why, given the straightforward nature of the application which the Sub-Committee had just considered, it had been referred to Members rather than being determined by officers under delegated authority.

Officers advised that the application had met the criteria for consideration by Members, as set out in the current Scheme of Delegation agreed by Comon Council.  This was firstly, because it was contrary to policy, and secondly, because more than ten objections had been received. 

The view was expressed that, although the criteria regarding objections was appropriate in circumstances where officers were recommending the granting of planning permission, it seemed less so where the recommendation was for refusal.  Acknowledging this, the Chairman commented that the point should be fed into the ongoing review of the Scheme of Delegation being led by the Town Clerk’s Department.