Issue details

Continuation of Temporary Amendments to the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement

Purpose of Report: Following the resolution in October 2020 to approve temporary amendments to the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for a period of six months, the purpose of this report is to provide Members with an update and ask that consideration be given to extending the temporary amendments, in line with the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown timetable. This reflects the need to revise planning related public access and involvement procedures contained in the Council’s SCI in response to current social distancing restrictions as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.

To ensure meaningful engagement remains during the pandemic, alternative methods have been proposed where existing consultation methods need to be temporarily suspended in light of social distancing measures. It is anticipated that the temporary amendments to the SCI can be removed once it is safe to resume all standard consultation methods.

The Executive Member will be asked to agree that the temporary revisions to the Council’s adopted SCI to reflect the specific requirements arising from national guidance and procedures on dealing with coronavirus implications are extended, in line with the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown timetable and authorise Officers to publish a revised covering note to the adopted SCI on the Council’s website.

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Be significant in terms of its effects on communities;

Decision status: For Determination

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 22/03/2021

Level of Risk: 04-08 Regular monitoring required;

Decision due: 22/04/21 by Executive

Lead member: Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning

Lead director: Corporate Director of Place

Department: Directorate of Place

Contact: Alison Cooke, Head of Strategic Planning Policy email:  frances.harrison@york.gov.uk  Alison.Cooke2@york.gov.uk, Frances Sadler  frances.harrison@york.gov.uk.

Consultation process

The preparation of a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) is a legal requirement as required under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004). An SCI was submitted to the Secretary of State and subsequently adopted by the Council following extensive public engagement in 2007. Officers have ensured that consultations since adoption have conformed to the published SCI to be legally compliant.
National Planning Practice Guidance states that “There is no requirement in legislation for local planning authorities to consult when reviewing and updating their Statement of Community Involvement, although it is good practice for authorities to inform the public of their intentions to update this document and of the changes that have been made.“.
On this basis it will be recommended that the temporary amendments to the SCI are published on the Council’s website. It is also intended that the updated covering note be submitted to the Local Plan Examination and circulated for information to Neighbourhood Forums currently progressing Neighbourhood Plans

Decisions

Agenda items

Documents

  • Continuation of Temporary Amendments to the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement  

 

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