Opposition councillors in Solihull are calling for a significant change in how votes are recorded at the council’s planning committee meetings—key sessions that decide the fate of local planning applications.
Reform councillors have proposed that the individual votes of members on Solihull Council’s planning committee be formally recorded and published to “strengthen confidence in the planning process.”
Currently, while meetings are held in public and attendees can see which councillors raise their hands for or against planning proposals, there is no official record of individual voting.
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Councillor Samantha Gethen introduced the motion at the recent full council meeting, supported by fellow Reform councillor Alan Feeney.
Councillor Gethen emphasized the need for enhanced transparency, stating: “Residents deserve clear and accessible information on how their elected representatives decide on planning applications that shape Solihull’s future.”
The motion reads: “Recording each member’s vote in the council minutes and making it publicly visible increases democratic accountability and helps residents understand how their councillors represent them.”
In response, Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, the cabinet portfolio holder for planning from the Conservative-led council, explained the nature of the planning committee’s role.
He said: “Planning is quasi-judicial. Committee members do not represent political parties or wards; instead, they act similarly to a jury, following national policies and representing the entire borough.”
Councillor Mackiewicz added that transparency is maintained as meetings are recorded and the public can see voting outcomes and the reasoning behind decisions.
However, Councillor Gethen highlighted a current gap: “During planning meetings livestreamed on the council’s website, viewers cannot see who is voting for what because the cameras do not focus on individual members.”
She stressed the importance of this transparency as more applications affecting green belt land come forward, saying residents need to know if their councillors support or oppose these developments.
Councillor Mackiewicz recommended the motion be discussed further by the council’s governance committee because implementing recorded individual votes would require changes to the council’s constitution.
The full council agreed to refer the motion to the governance committee, with the majority voting in favor, except for Reform councillors who opposed the referral.
The full council meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Tuesday, December 9.