Guidance on Speaking at Planning and Licensing Committee
Making Yourself Heard
Public Speaking at Nottinghamshire County Council Planning and Licensing Committee
The County Council has adopted a Code of Best Practice for members of its Planning and Licensing Committee made up of a number of County Councillors. The Code incorporates a protocol allowing public speaking at meetings of Planning and Licensing Committee in relation to planning applications being determined by the Council.
Your access to the decision making process
The following explains how to go about speaking to Councillors in Planning and Licensing Committee before they take a decision about a planning application. It may be relevant to you if you:
- Object to or support an application
- Wish to speak on behalf of an objector or supporter
- And you have already sent your views in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which applications go to Committee?
Where and when are Committee meetings held?
Who is entitled to speak at Committee?
How do I make a request to speak?
Can someone else speak on my behalf?
What happens once I make my request to speak?
How many people may speak at Committee?
What is the order of speaking for each application?
Can I use any equipment or circulate photographic material during my presentation?
Can I ask questions of the Committee?
Will I be asked questions by the Committee?
How long will I have to speak?
What happens after the Committee meeting?
Which applications go to Committee?
The Council has the option to deal with certain matters through its Planning and Licensing Committee or through a process of decision making by officers using powers delegated to them by the Council. If an item goes before Planning and Licensing Committee you have the right to speak at the relevant meeting.
Where and when are Committee meetings held?
Meetings are normally held once a month at County Hall on Loughborough Road in West Bridgford. Committee reports are available 5 workings days before the committee meetings.
Making a request to speak at Committee
Who is entitled to speak?
If you have made a written submission in connection with a planning application or a related submission that the Council is considering you now have the opportunity to speak at the relevant Committee if the application is to be treated in that way. You may be in favour of a proposal or in opposition to it. However, public speaking is not generally allowed if the application is being referred to Committee for a second time, or for the purpose of information.
How do I make a request to speak?
To register your wish to speak please return the enclosed request slip to the Planning Support Officer. The Registration Form is available here. This form should only be completed and returned once invitations to speak have been sent out.
You must register no later than three clear working days before Committee. For example, if Committee is on Tuesday, registration must be made no later than 4pm on the previous Thursday. However, you are encouraged to register as early as possible, as there is a limit on the numbers who may speak.
Can someone else speak on my behalf?
Someone nominated by you may act as a substitute providing they have written confirmation of this from you as the registered speaker. You may employ specialists or lawyers to speak on your behalf but it is not necessary for you to do so. Usually representatives of national or local organisations, or spokespersons on behalf of consultees will not be allowed to speak unless they have prior written agreement of the Chair of the Committee.
What happens once I have made my request to speak?
Your request to speak will be acknowledged by the Planning Support Officer either by telephone, letter or e-mail.
How many people may speak at Committee?
A maximum of three people will be entitled to speak in opposition to an application (and three in support). This will operate on a, first come first served basis.
You should note that even if you do not wish to speak, or are not one of the first three to register, your written representations will be contained in the Committee report. Equal weight is given to written and verbal representation. Your letter will form one of the background papers to the Committee report, which will be available for public inspection five days before the Committee meeting.
Procedure at Committee meeeting
What happens at the meeting?
- The Chair will introduce the item and ask the Planning Officer to present any further information relevant to the report and the application
- The Chair will then invite you to speak
- The Chair will invite the relevant officer to respond to any factual matters raised by your presentation. (You will not be able to respond or speak further at this stage)
- The Committee Members will then debate the application and make a decision.
What is the order of speaking for each application?
- Representatives of the District/Borough Council, Parish Council or any Local Member in whose area the application lies
- Those properly registered to speak in opposition to the proposal
- Those properly registered to speak in favour of the proposal (such as the applicant).
Can I use any equipment or circulate photographic material during my presentation?
The use of overhead or powerpoint slides is not allowed and no additional documents or photographs can be submitted to the Committee Members.
Can I ask questions of the Committee?
You are not allowed to ask questions of Members, Officers or of each other.
Will I be asked questions by the Committee?
Members, through the Chair, may ask you questions but only for the purpose of clarification.
How long will I have to speak?
Each speaker, whether speaking as an individual or as part of a group, will have a maximum of three minutes. Notice will be given to you when the final minute of your allotted time has arrived.
What can I say at Committee?
Only issues relevant to the planning application should be addressed in your presentation. These include:
- Impact on local residents and the environment, such as traffic, disturbance, noise, appearance and visual intrusion
- Relevant planning policies and Government guidance.
You should not refer to non-planning issues such as property rights, covenants, financial competition, loss of property value or view.
The Chair will ask you to leave the Committee if you use unacceptable language or disrupt the proceedings of the Committee in any way.
What happens after the Committee meeting?
Everyone who has made written representations will be notified in writing of the Committee’s decision.
Supplementary Document - Special Presentations
This Protocol for Public Speaking - Supplementary - Special Presentations [853 KB]
should be read in conjunction with these general guidelines where arrangements have been made for special presentations to be given during Planning and Licensing Committee
Access / Other Formats
This leaflet and the registration form can be made available in other formats on request. County Hall is wheelchair accessible. If you have any special requirements please contact us on tel: 0115 977 4277.
Contacting Us
Planning Services
8th Floor, Trent Bridge House
Fox Road
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 6BJ
Tel: 0115 977 4277
Fax: 0115 977 2418
E-mail: development.planning@nottscc.gov.uk
This page was last updated August 2009.
