A VOTE on the airport expansion will be taken by the 17 members of the borough council’s planning committee, not the full council.
Lib Dem and Labour councillors had pushed for all 51 councillors to be given a vote on the plans.
A full council meeting on Thursday, voted down the opposition proposals to widen the vote.
Lib Dem leader Graham Longley (Blenheim Park) had argued the issue was of such significance for the town, the normal procedure should be changed so all councillors could decide.
He argued: “It would restore democracy to the town, by giving council the right to make the final decision.
“Southend members can represent residents and express their views. It’s about involving people and not leaving such a major decision to as few as nine members, which would represent a majority on the development control committee.”
However, Tory council leader, Nigel Holdcroft (West Leigh) branded the opposition move as “a cheap political stunt, simply designed to play on residents’ concerns”.
Mr Holdcroft pointed out members of the development control committee had special training to allow them to make informed decisions on planning issues.