Meeting documents

Following the agreement from both Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils to prepare a joint local plan and approval of a Local Development Scheme, Cabinet was asked to consider the first stage of the joint Local Plan process; namely consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) and Issues and Options consultation.  Cabinet was also asked to consider future delegation of Cabinet decisions on the Joint Local Plan to the Joint Committee.

 

The recommendations outlined in the report were in accordance with the Council approved Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement; complied with necessary legislation / regulations and were considered necessary for meeting the Government objective for councils nationally to have produced local plans by early 2017.  Enabling the Joint Committee to deal with Local Plan matters and make recommendations to the respective Councils would simplify the executive decision making process whilst maintaining effective oversight by each Council.

 

Members were advised that Annex 1 to the report contained a recommended public consultation document for the emerging Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan 2014 - 2036.  It was a combined consultation document for the initial scoping of the plan required under Regulation18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended and an Issues and Options consultation.

 

The Planning Policy Manager advised that at the SBDC Cabinet meeting held on 17 December 2015 an amendment to the consultation period was proposed and agreed as 19 January 2016 - 14 March 2016.  He also advised that a mapping error was proposed to be corrected so that a separate map would be included for Chalfont St Giles rather than to include the proposed option at Chalfont St Giles on the maps of Chalfont St Peter and Gerrards Cross on page 38 of the document.

 

The Cabinet Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development outlined the importance of the consultation document and encouraged individuals and organisations who live and work in the District to respond to ensure that the emerging Local Plan seeks to address the needs of the District.  It was noted that the options put forward in the consultation document were put forward to test the process of the emerging Plan and therefore all aspects were open for consideration and no decisions were made at this stage in the process, prior to the receipt of representations and closure of the consultation period.  Councillor Phillips was in attendance at the meeting and supported the view that people should be encouraged to submit reactions and comments to the emerging Local Plan.

 

Councillor P Jones was in attendance at the meeting and expressed concern that a majority of comments were likely to be in relation to proposals for changes to the Green Belt and the preservation of this in line with National Framework. 

 

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development added that the consultation process was to include partners in respect of housing need issues within the District and to adopt a robust approach to challenges as this was a priority area.

 

The Cabinet Leader concluded that the Local Plan process was of significant importance and was required to meet the needs of the District within a changing environment and able to accommodate the future needs of the District; and she thanked the Planning Policy Manager and his team for their continued hard work and commitment to the process while working under extreme pressure to meet tight deadlines.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     That the document attached as Annex 1 to the report for Public consultation is carried out so as to comprise:

 

a)    Commencement on 19 January 2016 and to run until 5 pm on 14 March 2016

b)   Details to be included on the Council website

c)    Invitations to Duty to Co-operate organisations to comment and to meet prior to the close of consultation

d)   Invitations to comment to be sent to all town and parish councils

e)    Details to be sent to all individuals and organisations on the Council consultation database

f)     Documents to be available in all libraries serving communities within the plan area

g)   An pre-consultation press briefing/conference and a number of press releases during the consultation period

h)   Information and updates on Council social media

i)     A pre-consultation briefing presentation invited to all council members, town and parish councils, Chiltern and South Bucks County Council members and MPs

j)     Two evening meetings early in the consultation period, one at Chiltern Council Offices and one at South Bucks Offices, with invitations to town and parish councils and key known stakeholder local groups/organisations.

 

2.     Authority is delegated to the Head of Sustainable Development for the preparation of the associated public consultation and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development to agree any necessary changes to the document in Annex 1 prior to its publication and any alterations to public consultation arrangements approved under Recommendation 2.

 

3.     That Cabinet decisions and recommendations in relation to the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan be delegated to the Chiltern and South Bucks Joint Committee and that the terms of reference of the Joint Committee be amended accordingly.

 

4.     That subject to recommendation 4 being approved by Cabinet at both authorities, the Inter Authority Agreement between Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils dated 19 January 2012 be amended to incorporate the new terms of reference for the Joint Committee.