An investigation has been launched to clarify the powers of delegation held by Castle Point Council's planning chief.

But it is unlikely there will be any change because it is deemed inefficient and expensive to refer too many planning decisions.

Councillors have voiced concerns about their lack of influence over decisions made by planning director Ian Burchill. Recent decisions by Mr Burchill have come under fire from a number of them.

At present he can give planning applications the go-ahead without consulting the planning committee, except in exceptional circumstances.

The delegation system is laid out by the Government but councillors and former councillors like Tony Belford and Lionel Hart want to change it.

In a report to the committee, borough secretary John Waugh said: "The chairman (Tony Belford) of the (central services and planning overview and scrutiny) committee has requested an investigation into the delegated decision-making powers of the director of planning.

"He has experienced difficulty in coming to terms with some of the delegated decisions and was concerned that there was not a policy with guidelines for the benefit of both members and the public.

"These concerns were forwarded to the director of planning."

Mr Waugh has recommended no change to the arrangements on the ground that change would "adversely affect the performance of the service and would have significant adverse financial implications for the authority".

The matter was being discussed at the central services and planning overview and scrutiny meeting today.

Published Thursday September 2, 2004

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