Common use of Role of the Council’s Officers & County Councillors Clause in Contracts

Role of the Council’s Officers & County Councillors. The respective roles and responsibilities of professional officers and elected County Councillors (Members) within the Plan preparation process are distinct. Professional Officers (such as planners, engineers, etc) are employed by the Council to provide impartial research, analysis and technical advice to Councillors on all relevant development plan issues within their area of expertise. Professional Officers provide a robust foundation for decision making but will not, unless specifically given delegated powers, take decisions on behalf of the Council. County Councillors, as the democratically elected representatives of the people of Powys, are charged with taking decisions on behalf of the electorate to whom they are accountable. In order to facilitate structured discussions on the Plan, the Council has set up a Local Development Plan Working Group comprising relevant Council Officers and elected County Councillors. The Working Group will oversee all aspects of the Plan process, from the initial consultation draft of this Delivery Agreement right up to the Plan’s adoption and review. However, formal decisions will need to be taken by the Cabinet and the authority of the full Council will be sought at key stages. Seminars for all County Councillors will be held at important stages including: discussion on the vision, aims and objectives for the plan; to consider the preferred strategy; and to discuss site and settlement specific issues. Councillors will also have an important role to play in acting as local “champions”, engaging the community and facilitating the Plan preparation process. County Councillor involvement will be guided by the advice of the Standards Committee and the Members Code of Conduct so as not to prejudice the Councillors in their decision making role. It is useful to note that the Planning Committee is not involved in the decision making on LDP matters.

Role of the Council’s Officers & County Councillors. The respective roles and responsibilities of professional officers and elected County Councillors (Members) within the Plan preparation process are distinct. Professional Officers (such as planners, engineers, etc) are employed by the Council to provide impartial research, analysis and technical advice to Councillors on all relevant development plan issues within their area of expertise. Professional Officers provide a robust foundation for decision making but will not, unless specifically given delegated powers, take decisions on behalf of the Council. County Councillors, as the democratically elected representatives of the people of Powys, are charged with taking decisions on behalf of the electorate to whom they are accountable. (Please see xxxx://xxx.xxx.xxx.xx/lga/aio/1940404) In order to facilitate structured discussions on the Plan, the Council has set up a Local Development Plan Working Group comprising relevant Council Officers and elected County Councillors. The Working Group will oversee all aspects of the Plan process, from the initial consultation draft of this Delivery Agreement right up to the Plan’s adoption and review. However, formal decisions will need to be taken by the Cabinet Board and the authority of the full Council will be sought at key stages. Seminars for all County Councillors will be held at important stages including: discussion on the vision, aims and objectives for the plan; to consider the preferred strategy; and to discuss site and settlement specific issues. Councillors will also have an important role to play in acting as local “champions”, engaging the community and facilitating the Plan preparation process. County Councillor involvement will be guided by the advice of the Standards Committee and the Members Code of Conduct so as not to prejudice the Councillors in their decision making role. It is useful to note that the Planning Committee is not involved in the decision making on LDP matters.