Issue - meetings

To consider the report on the draft Statement of Community Involvement.

The Planning Policy Team Leader gave a summary of the report. The consultation on the amended Statement of Community Involvement had run for 6 weeks, and nine submissions had been received. Appendix 1 to the report recommended a number of changes to the Statement of Community Involvement to take into account the points that had been raised. Appendix 2 was an updated Statement of Community Involvement incorporating the proposed changes.

In response to a Member question, the Chairman said officers would respond to a respondent to the consultation to follow up why she believed Uttlesford District Council had not been truthful.

Councillor Barker suggested that members of the public could register to be put onto a distribution list to get notified when consultations begin so as to avoid suggestions that the Council was not involving the public.

In response to a Member question, the Chairman said it would be positive for every large community in Uttlesford to have neighbourhood plans.

Councillor Lees said it was important to look at how to encourage greater community involvement in the Statement of Community Involvement.

In response to a Member question, the Chairman said officers would change the line ‘Every effort will be made to ensure that notification of neighbouring parish councils is undertaken by the officer concerned’ to ‘There is a firm commitment that henceforth adjoining parish councils will be informed.’ This would ensure parish councils were aware if applications were proposed in neighbouring districts.

Councillor Barker said it would be useful for district councilors to receive a weekly planning list to aid awareness of cross border issues. Councillor Loughlin said a paper list would be invaluable for parish councillors without computers. In response to this, the Chairman said the Council was aiming to go digital and so it would not be appropriate to send out paper lists. Councillor Dean said it would be useful for ward members to receive notification of major applications in neighbouring wards.

APPROVED to recommend to Cabinet that the Statement of Community Involvement be adopted subject to the changes as set out in the Report of Representations.