Issue - meetings

To approve the scope and terms of reference for the Scrutiny review of Mobile Phone Masts

Officers advised that there was both limited time and resources available for this review and the proposed scope of the review was limited to that of a Scrutiny perspective. The Chair outlined the role of Scrutiny and the process for dealing with reviews. He explained that Local Authorities did not have the  power to turn down applications for mobile phone masts on health issues.

Issues raised by residents included :-

·        The possibility of  opposing masts on grounds of loss of amenity and the fear of health risk as being a material consideration for planning.

·        The scope for supplementary planning policy to be reviewed. It was suggested that Chris Maile from Planning Sanity be invited to a meeting

·        Concern over the erection of TETRA masts in Haringey

·        Research into health issues by the Government was largely sponsored by industry and could be biased.

·        Unnecessary use of G3 phones and associated masts

·        The possibility of ASBO’s being served on masts.

·        The need to ensure that the mobile phone operators were paying business rates

Members agreed that the review would focus on the planning  and consultation process. It was agreed that there would be 3 further meetings, one on the planning process and benchmarking with other Authorities, one with the mobile phone operators and one with residents and interested parties. The final report would be presented to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in February 2006.

Members reminded the meeting that the Council had agreed to write to the two MP’s requesting that they lobby Ministers for a moratorium on masts near schools, hospitals and residential properties and requesting that the two MP’s support any bills which would mean safer siting of mobile phone masts, including giving Councils clear authority to reject mast applications on local public health grounds.

RESOLVED:

1. That the proposed scope and terms of reference of the review be agreed subject to the following:-

2. That the membership of the Review Panel be noted.

3. That  the Legal Services be asked to provide information on the possibility of an ASBO being served on a mobile phone mast.