Issue - decisions

Addendum to Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement in light of Covid-19 Restrictions

Decision of:

Councillor Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces

Reference:

20/URGENCY/P&T/24

Date of decision:             

16 December 2020

Published on: 

24 December 2020

Decision Type:

Non Key

Matter for Decision:

To update the Addendum to the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement 2019 which was agreed in May 2020 to set out which elements were impacted by the restrictions imposed by the Covid19 pandemic.

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.

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 (Appendix 1 to this decision).

Reasons for the decision:

Cambridge City Council adopted the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) on 1 July 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.

An Addendum to the SCI was agreed in May 2020 which, set out which elements were impacted by the restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus outbreak at that time, and how the Councils were going to continue to enable full involvement of people in planning matters. Updating the SCI reflected government advice and advice from the Planning Advisory Service.

As the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has continued into the autumn it is considered appropriate to agree a further update to the Addendum to the SCI to show how we are have adapted our processes during lockdown to involve the local community in planning matters.

The update sets out how the public is involved at the planning application stage:

·      Site notices are being displayed

·      Measures are in place to allow officers to make site visits relating to planning applications and to planning enforcement

·      Copies of documents are available to view on our website

·      Planning Committees are being held virtually

As the lockdown restrictions upon movement continue into the autumn and the City Council’s offices remain closed to the general public it has been necessary to consider how we can carry out public consultations relating to neighbourhood planning as the government is keen that the progress of such plans continues during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Each of the changes proposed is explained in the Addendum, included as Appendix 1 to this note.

When the SCI was adopted it was subject to Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA). An update of this assessment has been undertaken (Appendix 2 to this note) to consider the impacts of the Addendum. No changes to the impact of the policy were identified each of the protected characteristics identified.

A decision is needed through the out of cycle decision process in order that the SCI amendment can be published, to provide greater clarity on the planning process during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Scrutiny consideration:

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

Report:

The revised Addendum is attached as Appendix 1 and revised Equalities Impact Assessment can be viewed at the link below.

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?NAME=Appendix%201%20%202&ID=1565&RPID=67740817

Conflicts of interest:

None known.

Comments:

None.