Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Leader of Council agreed to the delegation schedule set out in the decision report
summary: Clarification and codification of delegation schedule for preparation of a local plan
topline: The Leader of the Council has decided to clarify and codify the delegation schedule for the preparation of a local plan
reason_contentious: This issue is not particularly contentious as it aims to provide clarity and efficiency in the local plan preparation process
affected_stakeholders: ["Director of Place", "Council Members"]
contentiousness_score: 2
political_party_relevance: No mention or implication of political parties or political influence on the decision
URL: https://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5608
Decision Maker: Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Planning and Climate Change
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose: The purpose of this report is to clarify and codify the schedule of delegation in relation to the preparation of a local plan. It is considered that these delegations already lie with the Director of Place. However, because of significant changes to the statutory plan-making process, it is considered that it would be beneficial to both officers and Members to clarify the level of delegated authority that exists at each stage of plan preparation.
Content: The purpose of this report is to clarify and codify the schedule of delegation in relation to the preparation of a local plan. It is considered that these delegations already lie with the Director of Place. However, because of significant changes to the statutory plan-making process, it is considered that it would be beneficial to both officers and Members to clarify the level of delegated authority that exists at each stage of plan preparation. The Leader of Council agreed the delegation schedule set out at Annex 1 to the decision report. The schedule provides clarity on the levels of delegation applied to the process of preparing a local plan under the new plan-making system, subject to The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. The alternative option would be to rely on the current delegation arrangements. While this is possible, it is considered that greater clarity on this matter is beneficial to both officers and members in relation to the local plan process.
Date of Decision: August 4, 2026