Meeting cost £195

A CHARNWOOD Borough Council planning committee meeting that lasted 14 minutes cost £195.

The meeting took place on Thursday, September 14, and started at 5pm and was finished by 5.14pm after there was only one application to be discussed by councillors.

Coun Mark Lowe said: “What a waste of time this meeting is, and I can’t understand why we need to be here. What a waste of time and I’m sure it’s a waste of council money as well.”

A Charnwood Borough Council spokesman said: “There were originally two items on the agenda for Plans Committee on September 14 but one was withdrawn that afternoon by the applicant.

“The other item was a variation of a Section 106 legal agreement, which following new rules approved by councillors and the nature of the item it was decided at officer level that it needed to be considered by the Plans Committee.

“As the other application was withdrawn at such a late stage, a decision was taken to continue with the meeting.

“Each Plans Committee involves the preparation of reports for each application by planning officers before the meeting actually takes place and that cost is incurred whether the application goes to committee for consideration or not, for example when delegated decisions are taken by officers.

“Therefore the cost of the meeting, including room hire, printing and members’ expenses was £195.”