Issue - meetings

(i)               That the update following consultation on the First Draft of the Borough Local Plan be noted

(ii)             That the Local Development Scheme 2023-2026 (Appendix 1) be published to confirm that the Council intends to prepare a Final Draft (Regulation 19 stage) of the Local Plan by Summer 2024.

(iii)            That approval be given to allocate £300,000 from the Budget Support Fund to fund the Local Plan programme.

The Leader introduced a report providing an update following consultation on the First Draft Local Plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning referred Members to paragraphs 2.3 and 2.4 which outlined what the Council had done during the consultation period and listed drop in events around the Borough.  Reference was also made to paragraphs 2.10 to 2.12 which looked at consultation themes and the next steps.

The Leader stated that this was the most extensive consultation that the Council had carried out.  Some authorities at this stage would be carrying out an online consultation.  The Leader referred to the allocation of funds.  When it was agreed, there was a joint local plan with Stoke that was not fit for purpose - with data from three years previous and it was felt that money should be spent on a consultation.

Councillor Gorton stated that the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee report did not include the information contained within paragraph 2.12 of this report so members of that committee were not aware of £300,000 being allocated to fund the work of consultants.  The Leader was asked why the Scrutiny Committee had not been made aware of that and also, what the consultants would do for this fee.

The Leader stated that the report that went to Scrutiny looked back on the consultation rather than forward to the next level.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning stated that, to take the next steps it was important that the next drafting was up to date.  The consultants would be looking at the evidence base and any issues that had been raised.

Resolved:    (i)       That the update following consultation on the First Draft

of the Borough Local Plan be noted

(ii)             That the Local Development Scheme 2023-2026 (Appendix 1) be published to confirm that the Council intends to prepare a Final Draft (Regulation 19 stage) of the Local Plan by Summer 2024.

(iii)           That approval be given to allocate £300,000 from the Budget Support Fund to fund the Local Plan programme.

Watch the debate here