Decision details

Purpose of the Report: To consult Members on a review of the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out the Council’s proposals for how the community will be involved in the production and consultation of planning documents and planning applications. A review of the published document is required to ensure the approach is up-to-date and takes account of the current restrictions/considerations resulting from the current health pandemic. National Planning Practice Guidance encourages that authorities undertake a review and update the policies where necessary so that plan-making can continue under the current health pandemic.

The Executive will be asked to approve the changes proposed to the Statement of Community Involvement to ensure appropriate future community consultation and engagement can continue to be undertaken in relation to development plan documents and planning applications. The Executive will also be asked to approve delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Economy and Place in conjunction with the Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning for any necessary future modifications required in the context of the current health pandemic.

Resolved:  (i)      That the recommended temporary revisions to the council’s adopted SCI set out in Annex A, as revised to incorporate the changes requested by the Local Plan Working Group, and reflecting the specific requirements arising from national guidance and procedures on dealing with coronavirus implications, be approved.

                   (ii)      That officers be authorised to publish the covering note to the adopted SCI on the council’s website.

                   (iii)     That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Economy & Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy & Strategic Planning, to approve the implementation of the revisions for a period of up to 6 months and, should the revisions remain in place after 6 months, to ask the Local Plan

Working Group to consider whether to recommend a further period of implementation.

Reason:     To ensure that consultation and engagement in the planning process remain effective at a time when restrictions have been placed on face to face social interactions to help combat the spread of coronavirus, and to provide some certainty as to the duration of the temporary amendments.