Agenda item

Council notes:

That many residents move into new developments expecting to become part of established communities yet can spend many years living with unresolved issues such as roads awaiting new markings or safety features, waiting for adequate street lighting, lack of facilities and upkeep of open spaces, play areas, drainage, signage and other community infrastructure such as health provision, community spaces and libraries.

That responsibility for such infrastructure is often divided between developers, management companies, Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and other public bodies. As a result, residents can face considerable difficulty in identifying who owns or maintains particular assets, who is responsible for resolving issues, whether infrastructure is intended for adoption, and what barriers remain to adoption.

Council recognises that adoption of highways, open spaces and other infrastructure can only occur where the relevant standards have been met and the responsible authority is satisfied that legal and technical requirements have been fulfilled.

That lengthy periods of uncertainty and unclear accountability can delay the resolution of problems, reduce confidence in the stewardship of developments and undermine trust in the planning and delivery of new communities.

Council believes:

That residents should be able to understand who is responsible for the places in which they live, how issues can be reported, and what progress is being made towards long-term management and adoption arrangements.

That improving transparency, accountability and communication on existing developments will help build public confidence in the delivery and stewardship of future developments and demonstrate that growth is accompanied by clear responsibilities and effective community engagement.

That Cambridge is a growing city that will continue to see significant housing and infrastructure development in the coming years, and in future that this is proposed to be the responsibility of a Development Corporation.

Council therefore requests that the Leader works with relevant officers to make clear and timely representations to the Development Corporation on behalf of the council, as the Dev Co establishes itself and its role in larger developments, to ensure that any proposals include:

1.    Working with developers, management companies, Cambridgeshire County Council, and the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service to improve, for residents, transparency, accountability and coordination between the relevant responsible organisations.  

2.     Exploring the establishment of a code of engagement for developers and management companies operating occupied developments within the city;

3.    Considering mechanisms to ensure residents have access to clear and publicly accessible information on:

o   ownership and maintenance responsibilities for community infrastructure;

o   adoption intentions and adoption status;

o   clear signposting to routes for addressing issues;

o   barriers preventing adoption or transfer to public or private bodies; and

o   expected timescales for resolution where known.

4.    Exploring mechanisms to improve visibility of progress on issues, including response and progress monitoring, making use of existing reporting systems wherever possible.

5.    Considering how successful elements of any code could be incorporated into future planning policy, planning conditions, management arrangements or Local Plan policies for major developments.

In addition, in the near term, Council requests that the Leader works with planning officers, and with relevant cross party ward and planning members to:

1.    Identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary delays in the current adoption of infrastructure by the relevant public and private bodies and to highlight any barriers that may require further action by local government, developers or management companies;

2.    To remind developers of their responsibilities to maintain positive engagement throughout the development of new sites and once these are established;

3.    To consider planning guidance and conditions to bring this forward;

4.    To report back to Council within six months with an update on progress on all of the above.