A £40,000 report recommending changes to how planning applications are determined in South Kesteven came under fire at a council meeting this week.

Last year, South Kesteven District Council engaged a consultancy firm Cratus to look at how systems could be improved at SKDC but councillors said recommendations made by consultants would undermine their role.

Coun Ashley Baxter (Ind- Market and West Deeping) noted the report discussed at Wednesday's meeting of governance and audit committee had first appeared in October 2020. Only now, in July 2021, were councillors able to comment upon it.

Coun Baxter said he understood the review, which he also said did not go through a competitive tender process, cost £40,000 and its recommendations to date "undermine the ability of councillors in the planning process."

At the moment, he explained, councillors can 'call in' a planning application if they have a valid reason, but the report proposed restricting this. Councillors would also face restrictions on when they could speak on a planning application.

Coun Penny Milnes (Ind- Loveden Heath) questioned the 'impartiality' of Cratus, noting its work with developers, which may create a conflict of interest.

In reply, the council's assistant chief executive Ken Lyon said Cratus staff working with him "had brought an impartial view." But Coun Milnes further said planning committee members felt Cratus were not impartial.

Coun Sue Woolley (Con- Morton) questioned the value for money of the report, thanking Coun Baxter for revealing its cost.