Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

This report sought an agreement to a joint response from both Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire councils to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities’ Consultation on Plan-making reforms: Implementation.

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Decision of the Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure

      i.          Agreed the joint response to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities’ Consultation on Plan-making reforms: Implementation included in Appendix 1 of this report.

     ii.          Agreed that any subsequent material amendments be made by the Executive Member for Planning and Transport, in consultation with Chair and Spokes

   iii.          Agreed that any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that do not materially affect the content be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Transport, in consultation with Chair and Spokes.

Reason 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 Planning Policy Manager

In response to Members’ questions the Planning Policy Manager said the following:

      i.          Noted the comment that references to non-digital services needed to be included in questions 8,9,28,43, as not everyone had access or could use electronic devices. Agreed that Planning should be accessible to all.

     ii.          Believed the thirty-month deadline would be set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) rather than in regulations. Therefore, it was a deadline that should be aimed for but would not be enforced. Had not read any information that there would be financial penalties. 

   iii.          Agreed that wording should enforce why the schemes should be government funded in question 21, any additional cost to the Council(s) would have a negative impact.

   iv.          Stated the three weeks turn around was challenging and had stated the reasons why but these could be expanded upon.

    v.          As the community land auction was being piloted it was difficult to comment on but would keep observing the scheme.

The Executive Councillor agreed that there should be an emphasis on supporting people who were not online and the wording for government funding should be more robust. Would establish that if the thirty-month deadline could not be meet that there would be no penalties.

The Committee unanimously endorsed the Officer recommendations.

The Executive Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Transport approved the recommendations.

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

None