Decision details

Scrutiny Recommendation

Executive Comment

Executive Decision

1.Carry out pre-project public consultation before commencing on any major project to identify and take account of the level of public support, in order to inform the project including the budget

It is important that there is clear communication of the reasons behind major projects. This will be assisted by the refreshed Your City which will be published from Autumn this year. However, major schemes will always carry with them an element of controversy

Approve

2.Continue with its best practice approach to pre-application consultation

This acknowledges that there is existing best practice within the authority that can be applied to future application

Approve

3.Agree a code of practice with statutory consultees which seeks to ensure they provide clear, consistent, timely and documented responses to consultation, from persons in authority within their organisation

This will need to be taken forward with the statutory consultees as it was clear that confusion on the position of English Heritage, and the authority held by persons giving comment to the authority led to a position that work was undertaken on the project which was subsequently aborted.

Approve with the specific request that this is undertaken by the Director of City Strategy. This should include discussions with the relevant government departments to ensure that publicly funded organisations are held to account when advising on the planning process.

4. Always provide full and consistent feedback to all consultees no matter whether the Council is able to respond positively or negatively to the

issues being raised

This concept is covered within the council’s new consultation policy to give feedback when consultation is being undertaken.

Approve

5.For all major projects, ensure that the Chief Executive and Senior Directors take ownership of the project and give consistent support to the project team

It is clear that the latest work on the HQ project has benefited from having ‘ownership’ at Director level. This overcomes the difficulties when responsibilities straddle directorates

Approve