Decision details

Matter for Decision:

The Executive Councillor is recommended to approve the re-designation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum as the appropriate body for the continued preparation of a neighbourhood plan for the South Newnham Neighbourhood Area 

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

The South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum was designated five years ago by Cambridge City Council and since March 2017 has been preparing a neighbourhood plan for the South Newnham Neighbourhood Area. According to the national regulations a forum ceases to have effect after five years when the group must reapply for designation. The group has reapplied and their redesignation as a neighbourhood forum can be approved.

The alternative option is to not redesignate the forum in which case the group cannot continue to prepare a plan as they will no longer be the qualifying body formally designated to produce the neighbourhood plan for their area. 

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

That the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Infrastructure:

a)        Noted the results of the public consultation on the South Newnham application to redesignate the South Newnham neighbourhood forum (Set out in Appendix B)

Appendices A & B Application to redesignate the Neighbourhood Forum for South Newnham - Cambridge Council

b)     Agreed to approve the redesignation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum as the appropriate body for the preparation of a neighbourhood plan for the South Newnham Neighbourhood Area.

Reasons for the decision:

The South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum was designated five years ago to prepare a neighbourhood plan for their area. According to national legislation the designation of a neighbourhood forum only lasts for five years when a forum must reapply to the local planning authority for redesignation. The group wishes to continue to prepare their plan and has submitted an application to Cambridge City Council. A six-week consultation has taken place on this application. The national regulations require the Council to determine an application for designating a neighbourhood forum within 13 weeks of the start the publicity of the application.  The group meets the requirements for redesignation as a neighbourhood forum for South Newnham for the purpose of preparing a neighbourhood plan.  

Scrutiny consideration:

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

Report:

The report on the application to redesignate the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum can be viewed at the link below:

Report on the application to redesignate the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum - Cambridge Council

Conflicts of interest:

None known.

Comments:

No comments were received from the Chair or Opposition Spokes.