Public meetings

I am pleased to note that the Chairman of Rusthall Parish Council has stated concerning the Council's Planning Committee:

In future we hope to hold these meetings in public in the new Simmonds Court.

Planning Committee meetings should be held in public - always.  Admittedly most applications are on minor matters, but from time to time major applications will be the subject of discussion.  At a time when it is proposed to make major changes to planning law guidance and the promotion of the concept of localism it is vital that local authorities at all levels are open and transparent and subject to public gaze and scrutiny.

Planning issues have caused much friction in  the adjoining Speldhurst parish and also in Penshurst,  See:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/hands-off-our-land/8875020/Kent-villagers-revolt-over-feudal-sale-of-green.html