Issue - meetings

The Strategic Planning and Conservation Manager presented a report in respect of the Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) approach to agreement with other local authorities for Members’ consideration.  Under the new revised national planning framework all Councils were required to have a SoCG which set out how the organisation would work with other local authorities in respect of their local plans.  Redditch Borough Council was not in the process of reviewing the Local Plan, however, other Councils were reviewing their local plans and would be approaching the authority for a response.  Officers were proposing that in cases where there were significant and potentially controversial implications arising from another Council’s plans these should be presented for Members’ consideration.  Where there was no controversy it was suggested that Officers should have delegated authority to make a decision.

The proposals in respect of the SoCG had already been considered by Members at a meeting of the Planning Advisory Panel (PAP).  During this meeting Members had been advised that there were very few examples of SoCGs in place at other local authorities.  However, the SoCG had been introduced at this stage as it would help to provide transparency in respect of the Council’s approach to working with other local authorities.

RESOLVED that

1)        Members note officer attendance is required at Duty to Co-operate /Statements of Common Ground meetings where cross boundary issues and draft Statements of Common Ground agreements are discussed and prepared;

2)        Council delegates to the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Planning, to sign off all relevant Statements of Common Ground where cross boundary growth is not included; and

3)        all Statements of Common Ground which include agreements on cross boundary housing, employment or other development needs or any other key planning issues are reported to Council for consideration prior to signing.