Decision details

Matter for Decision:

To agree the Addendum to the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement 2019.

Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):

To respond to restrictions related to Covid-19 and to enable the planning process to continue whilst continue to enable full involvement of people in planning matters. Updating the Statement of Community Involvement also reflects recent government guidance.

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

That the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces agreed:

To adopt the Addendum to the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement 2019.

Reasons for the decision:

Cambridge City Council adopted the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) on 25 June 2019, jointly with South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The SCI for planning sets out how and when we will involve the community and key stakeholders in preparing, altering and reviewing our plans and guidance to guide future development. It also explains how we will involve the community in planning applications.

The Councils are committed to keeping essential services running during the Coronavirus outbreak.  Planning has an important role to play in supporting our economy and our communities. It is important that we find a way to keep the planning process moving forward. There are a number of ways in which the Councils are having to adapt the approach to planning applications and plan making while movement restrictions are in place.

It is therefore proposed to add an Addendum to the SCI, to set out which elements are impacted by current restrictions, and how the Councils will continue to enable full involvement of people in planning matters. Updating the SCI reflects recent government guidance. Each of the changes proposed is explained in the Addendum, included as Appendix 1 to this decision.

When the SCI was adopted it was subject to Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA). A review of this assessment has been undertaken to consider the impacts of the Addendum. It is not considered that any changes to the EQIA are required, no changes to the impact of the policy were identified each of the protected characteristics identified.

Scrutiny consideration:

The Chair and Spokesperson of Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised.

Report:

Briefing Report, Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement 2019 – Addendum May 2020

and EQIA; These papers can be viewed at the following link.

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?NAME=Planning%20and%20Transport%20Scrutiny%20Committee%2030%20June&ID=1515&RPID=66078009

Conflicts of interest:

None known.

Comments:

No comments made.