Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Recommendations:-

1.         That approval be given to public consultation on the Draft Revised Statement of Community Involvement as detailed in Appendix 1.

2.      That following consultation a further report be brought to Cabinet in October 2019 to consider the adoption of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 153

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval to undertake consultation on a Draft Revised Statement of Community Involvement.

The requirement to prepare a Statement of Community Involvement was set out in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and set out how the Council involved local communities in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153

Cabinet Portfolio:                 Jobs and the Local Economy

Strategic Directorate:           Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report presented for pre-decision scrutiny by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment ahead of its determination at the Cabinet meeting on 20 May 2019. It was reported that the requirement to prepare a Statement of Community Involvement was set out in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. The Statement of Community Involvement set out how the Council involves local communities in planning for the future of the Borough through the preparation of the Local Plan and other planning policy documents, and the determination of planning applications. The report recommended the authority go out to consultation on the draft document for a four week period, before returning to Cabinet for approval and adoption.

Members considered the paper to be a good report, with a well argued document for consultation. By way of comment, it was suggested it would be beneficial to highlight to the public that if they had concerns about a planning application, it would be advisable to look to deal with issues via conditions, rather than seeking outright refusal. It was felt that this could be clearly conveyed and may result in a more constructive engagement in the planning process.

Resolved:-

1.     That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.

2.     That further work be undertaken to ensure that the consultation document outlines the specific power of planning conditions in addressing concerns raised in respect of individual applications.