Officer Decision Record

New national rules require the recording of certain decisions taken by officers acting under new powers delegated to them by a council or local government body, its committees or sub-committees or a joint committee. The written record must be available for inspection at the Council or Local Government Body’s offices and on the website if it has one, as soon as reasonably practicable, and should include:

  • The decision taken and the date the decision was taken
  • The reasons for this decision
  • Any alternative options considered and rejected
  • Any other background documents

Where a decision is taken under a specific express authorisation the names of any member of the Council or Local Government body who has declared a conflict of interest must be recorded.

This requirement only applies to all decisions taken by officers whilst acting under a specific express authorisation and to only three categories of decision taken whilst acting under a general authorisation. These categories cover decisions:

  • To grant a permission or licence
  • That affects the rights of an individual
  • Award a contract or incur expenditure which in either case affects that relevant local government body’s financial position.

You can ask for a copy of documents relating to decisions taken by any officer acting under specific or general delegated powers once you have paid for the postage, copying or any other necessary charge for transmission which will be determined by you council or local government body.

Planning Decisions

These are published and included in the planning portal record which can be found below at the link:

Licensing Decisions

These are published and included in the Licensing Portal record which can be found below at the link:

Template for the Officer Decision can found below entitled 'OFFICER DECISION RECORD - Template'

A copy of the Officer Decision Records for the past year can be found below.  If you wish to see previous years Officer Decision Records, please email foi@eastcambs.gov.uk