Information from the Planning Authority

Press Release From South Northants Council

Date: 24 April 2020

Issue: SNCPR16399

For Immediate Release

Council webcasts first planning committee meeting

The democratic process remains intact despite the current lockdown restrictions after South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) held its first online planning committee meeting this week.

On Thursday, 23 April, 15 SNC members dialled into the council's video conference system to participate in the meeting which was broadcast live on YouTube - https://youtu.be/uO_-Vx5bRDk.

The meeting was also supported by democratic, planning and legal officers. Public participation in the meeting was possible via seven recorded representations and one written statement from applicants, interested parties and objectors.

Cllr Richard Dallyn, chairman of the planning committee, said: "Overall I'm very pleased. Decisions were made in a fair and professional manner.

"We'd had a dress rehearsal of the technical aspects of the remote meeting the day before and I was very impressed on the day with how smoothly democratic officers administered the meeting and how planning officers managed to give thorough presentations with their usual array of images and graphics.

"There were some hiccups, which mainly illustrate the need for better broadband in some parts of the district, but this first for the council clearly demonstrates the democratic process is alive and well in South Northants despite the Coronavirus."

The SNC council chamber has a capacity of 70 for planning meetings but so far more than 250 people either watched the meeting live or have viewed it since.

END

Please note there is a screen shot of the meeting attached via link at the end of this message.

For press and media enquiries, contact:

Gavin Moore

Senior Communications Officer

South Northamptonshire Council

01327 322312