Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

 

To consider and comment before decision by the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport

 

·         To approve the designation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Area, as identified in Appendix A of the officer report; and

·         To approve the designation 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   

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Council’s Planning Consultant. 

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

 

i.         Questioned whether the Neighbourhood area would have the equivalent status of a Parish Council with regard to planning matters and be a statutory consultee.  

ii.       Questioned the cost neutrality of the proposed Neighbourhood Area as discretionary support provided by the Council.

iii.     Queried what happened in the event of the Forum being dissolved.

iv.     Clarified the relationship between the Forum and the overarching Local Plan. 

v.      Expressed concern regarding the possible resulting inequality that may arise from South Newnham being in a stronger position for having a Neighbourhood Area than other parts of the City that did not.

vi.     Confirmed that the Government grants available would be sufficient to cover the support costs to the Council.

 

The Council’s Planning Consultant said the following in response to Members questions:

 

i.         Confirmed that once designated the Forum would become a statutory consultee on planning applications and could submit responses.

ii.       Explained that an initial grant available to the Council of £5k could be applied for and a further £20k grant would become available following a referendum.     

iii.     Explained that upon the dissolution of the Forum provisions existed within the regulations for a new forum to be set up.  The voluntary nature of the Neighbourhood Area was emphasised by officers with an advisory and support role for the Planning Authority. 

iv.     Drew attention to Neighbourhood Areas that had been created in London where the distinctiveness of areas had been enhanced as a result.  A key role of the Council was to ensure the creation of a neighbourhood plan that would be adopted following a referendum was created. 

v.      Explained that regardless that neighbourhood plan added to the the overarching Local Plan and Nation Planning Policy Framework remained in place and that other parts of Cambridge would not be disadvantaged as a result.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.