Issue - decisions

Date of Decision:

1^st December, 2023

Title:

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – South Yorkshire Joint Waste Plan

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Simon Moss

Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration & Transport

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

Assistant Director – Planning, Regeneration and Transport Head of Planning and Building Control

To agree any statements of common ground, memorandums of understanding or other formal statements regarding the Rotherham local plan or other local planning authorities’ local plans. Agreements to be made in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

Brief Description of Decision:

To seek approval for the Assistant Director to sign the memorandum of understanding to develop a South Yorkshire Joint Waste Plan with other South Yorkshire local authorities.

Reasons for the Decision:

It will confirm Rotherham Council’s commitment to work with other South Yorkshire local authorities (Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley) to develop and produce a legally compliant, effective and ‘sound’ Joint Waste Plan consistent with national policy. Being a signatory to the MoU would be of significant benefit to the Council in demonstrating to the planning inspector an active engagement in strategic planning matters and in plan-making process.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Although the MoU is not a legally binding document, it is a statement of serious intent agreed between parties, outlines the commitment, resources and other considerations of each party will bring. If the Council does not sign the MoU then it may be detrimental to ongoing co-operation with other South Yorkshire local authorities, fail to prepare the South Yorkshire Joint Waste Plan to replace the BDR Joint Waste Plan (time limited to 2026) that forms part of the Local Plan. It is anticipated that it would require significant resources and incur cost if Rotherham Council prepares its own Waste Plan.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

N/A

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

Reports or parts of reports considered

Delegated Decision Report – South Yorkshire Joint Waste Plan – Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)