Town councillors to receive training in planning

Wilmslow Town Council has agreed to spend up to £850 on a professional planning training course for its members.

It will be provided by a company which specialises in training councillors and the 3-hour course can be attended by up to 25 people.

Councillor Christopher Dodson explained "The intention would be that we would invite members of other neighbouring councils to take part, if there were spaces available, and that we would split the cost."

Cllr Gary Barton commented "The number of rules, regulations, guidelines that we have to deal with is indeed a very long list and also it is particularly prone to change. We have had a number of recent changes. I think even those who feel they are comfortable with planning laws and guidelines will benefit from a refresher course.

"We don't make decisions on planning applications but we are a very public commentator on planning applications."

Councillor Barton added "Even if we ended up paying the full £850 we'd view that as an investment to make us better councillors. I think within the total budget of the council that it is a reasonable expense. We are not paid as councillors and the majority of councillors do not claim any expenses so to look at that purely as a cost to make us more effective councillors I think it is very worthwhile.

"I'd also say planning is likely to be an of the moment issue over certainly the next few years so the number of enquiries councillors are likely to receive concerning planning is likely to be higher than normal and Wilmslow generally is an area that receives more than an average number of planning applications because of desirability of the town and because of the property prices in the area. It is an issue councillors will encounter so I think that knowledge will be invaluable."

The proposal was supported unanimously by the councillors.

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Wilmslow Town Council