Issue - meetings

To consider the report regarding the Local Development Scheme (Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation).

RESOLVED to adopt the revised Local Development Scheme of the Local Plan.

Councillor Evans presented the Local Development Scheme (Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation report.

He said:

·         The delay to the Local Plan process was not a political decision and was a matter that had resulted from an Officer`s recommendation as identified in the report to the joint meeting of Scrutiny and the LPLG on 10^th October 2022.

·         Such a delay was not unique to the authority, was a common occurrence and would permit a more coordinated approach to the evidence base

He recommended that Members adopt the revised Local Development Scheme of the Local Plan.

Councillor Pepper read Councillor Pavitt`s report which said that it had been seventeen years since the last Local Plan was published. This was the fourth recent attempt, this time against a background of chronic nationwide shortage of planning professionals, the disruption of the pandemic and continued defunding by the government. She said that the Administration needed to up their game to get the Local Plan across the line and that she was confident that the right people were in place to deliver.

Councillor Coote thanked Councillor Evans and officers for their hard work. He said that the most important thing was that the best Local Plan was achieved not when it was achieved.

Councillor Freeman echoed Councillor Coote’s comments and said that the work undertaken behind the scenes was integral. However, he said that he would like to see some more original thinking as the Council would face the same results if it continued to apply the same approach to this Local Plan.

The Leader said there would be a strong evidence base for the emerging Local Plan and that she had great faith in the Director of Planning and the Interim Local Plan and New Communities Manager, who was experienced in delivering a Local Plan in a rural district. Furthermore, a discussion was taking place between officers and members regarding governance and oversight of the process. There had been criticism that the draft Local Plan would not be delivered before the May 2023 election; she noted that the Local Plan was not and should not be political.

Councillor Freeman seconded the proposal.

The Leader moved to a vote. The proposal was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED: to adopt the revised Local Development Scheme of the Local Plan.