What is the TCBGC Joint Committee?

The TCBGC Joint Committee is a formal Joint Committee of the three partner authorities (Tendring District Council, Colchester City Council and Essex County Council) established under local government legislation. It brings elected councillors together in one forum to exercise specified functions delegated by the councils for the Garden Community area. This structure supports consistent, comprehensive and efficient decision-making where proposals and infrastructure cross council boundaries.

The Joint Committee’s remit has included overseeing preparation of the joint Development Plan Document (DPD) and acting as the decision-making body for relevant planning applications within the defined Garden Community area. Matters outside that remit remain with the individual councils. Councillors serving on the Joint Committee receive appropriate training, must declare relevant interests and consider planning matters on their merits.

Joint Committee meetings operate under the usual local-authority governance arrangements. Agendas, officer reports, minutes, councillor membership, attendance information and declarations of interest are published through the councils’ democratic-services arrangements, and meetings are normally open to the public and press. This provides a clear record of the evidence considered, officer recommendations, debate and decisions.