To consider a report and its recommendations from the Local Government Ombudsman.

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic presented the Ombudsman report and referred Members to the reasons set out in the report and to the comments on page 56 of the agenda, which had already been acted upon.

Resolved

            THAT the Council:

            a)         pay Mr Ash and Mrs Birch the sum of £1,250 for their outrage, lost opportunity and uncertainty;

            b)         make a formal apology for the mistakes identified; and

            c)         review its procedures and that specific staff training is carried out on amendments to planning applications and planning permissions in the light of the issues highlighted in the complaint.