Agenda item

To consider the following motion, submitted by Ms Lord, notice of which was given on 28 September 2018.

‘This Council notes that, in May this year, Ministers outlined a proposal in a Written Ministerial Statement to redefine non-hydraulic fracturing shale gas exploration applications as permitted development and to redefine large scale shale gas production sites as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects which would mean central government would determine planning applications rather than local authorities.

This Council believes that the wishes of local communities should be considered in decisions on shale gas and other oil and gas exploration and production, and that these decisions are best determined by local Mineral Planning Authorities through the planning process.

This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Environment respond to the Government’s consultation that applications for shale gas exploration, and for other oil and gas exploration, should not become permitted development and that they, along with planning applications for shale gas production, should be determined by local planning authorities in accordance with planning law and guidance, and also to share this response with West Sussex MPs and relevant government ministers.’

77.1   The following motion was moved by Ms Lord and seconded by Mrs Millson.

‘This Council notes that, in May this year, Ministers outlined a proposal in a Written Ministerial Statement to redefine non-hydraulic fracturing shale gas exploration applications as permitted development and to redefine large scale shale gas production sites as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects which would mean central government would determine planning applications rather than local authorities.

This Council believes that the wishes of local communities should be considered in decisions on shale gas and other oil and gas exploration and production, and that these decisions are best determined by local Mineral Planning Authorities through the planning process.

          This Council resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Environment respond to the Government's consultation that applications for shale gas exploration, and for other oil and gas exploration, should not become permitted development and that they, along with planning applications for shale gas production, should be determined by local planning authorities in accordance with planning law and guidance, and also to share this response with West Sussex MPs and relevant government ministers.’

77.2   An amendment was moved by Mrs Duncton and seconded by Dr Walsh.

‘This Council notes that, in May this year, Ministers outlined a proposal in a Written Ministerial Statement to redefine non-hydraulic fracturing shale gas exploration applications as permitted development and to redefine large scale shale gas production sites as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects which would mean central government would determine planning applications rather than local authorities.

This Council believes that the wishes of local communities should be considered in decisions on shale gas and other oil and gas exploration and production, and that these decisions are best determined by local Mineral Planning Authorities through the planning process.

          This Council resolves to support the proposed draft responses, as published on 10 October 2018 in the Members’ Information Service newsletter,  ask the Cabinet Member for Environment respond to the Government's consultation that applications for shale gas exploration, and for other oil and gas exploration, should not become permitted development and that they, along with planning applications for shale gas production, should be determined by local planning authorities in accordance with planning law and guidance, and to also to share this response with West Sussex MPs and relevant government ministers making it clear that we will oppose attempts by the Government to dilute local democracy.’

77.3   The amendment was accepted.

77.4   The motion, as amended and set out below, was carried.

‘This Council notes that, in May this year, Ministers outlined a proposal in a Written Ministerial Statement to redefine non-hydraulic fracturing shale gas exploration applications as permitted development and to redefine large scale shale gas production sites as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects which would mean central government would determine planning applications rather than local authorities.

This Council believes that the wishes of local communities should be considered in decisions on shale gas and other oil and gas exploration and production, and that these decisions are best determined by local Mineral Planning Authorities through the planning process.

          This Council resolves to support the proposed draft responses, as published on 10 October 2018 in the Members’ Information Service newsletter, should not become permitted development and that they, along with planning applications for shale gas production, should be determined by local planning authorities in accordance with planning law and guidance, and toalso share this response with West Sussex MPs and relevant government ministers making it clear that we will oppose attempts by the Government to dilute local democracy.’