COUNCILLORS could cut the number of planning meetings they hold to save time.

Witham Town Council will discuss cutting the number of meetings held to look over planning applications.

It has raised questions over transparency and whether residents will be able to have a say.

It was thought the current process of agreeing straightforward applications en bloc and discussing more complex items at meetings could be improved.

It will mean circulating the planning lists to all members for comment, and discussing the content with the chairman of the Environment Committee.

A meeting would only be called when an application needs wider consideration.

Councillor Michael Lager said in a Town Council agenda: "I feel something like this could be the subject of a trial, namely that we could ask the office to look at the weekly lists, which can easily be circulated to all members for comment, discuss the content with the Environment chairman and only call a meeting where they between them feel an application needs wider consideration.

"Reports could also be cut down in number, but not in standard, freeing up time to do things that we are behind on."

The matter will be discussed at a Town Council meeting on Monday, October 24.

It will start at 7.30pm in the Town Hall in Newland Street.