Issue - meetings

The Planning Portfolio Holder confirmed the methods of liaison with Members during the Local Plan Examination, as follows:

(a)          Regular Updates and Briefings –

(i)            Weekly email updates to all Members outlining the matters to be examined the following week, and providing a summary of the previous week’s hearings.  This will be issued each Friday, unless circumstances arise which necessitate a change, in which case Members will be kept informed.

(ii)           The Portfolio Holder will have monthly informal meetings with Group Leaders to provide a regular opportunity for feedback and discussion.

(iii)          The Portfolio Holder will be kept informed of progress throughout the Examination and ensure other liaison as appropriate, for instance, an All Member Briefing.

(b)          Formal Portfolio Holder meetings arranged each month for the duration of the Examination hearings.  These will be held as necessary or cancelled if not needed.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report focussing on Member Liaison during the Local Plan Examination.

There was some discussion as to whether or not the Portfolio Holder should be consulted about everything relating to the Examination, but it was stressed that the most important thing was to minimise disruption of the process.

The Planning Policy Manager explained what that process was, being a hybrid of the processes involved in the two previous Plans. In response to a query from Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins, it was confirmed that, should the Inspector propose any significant changes to the Plan, a further round of public consultation would be needed. The Planning Policy Manager said that the Inspector had not indicated that there were any major problems with the draft Local Plan.

The Planning Portfolio Holder confirmed the methods of liaison with Members during the Local Plan Examination, as follows:

(a)          Regular Updates and Briefings –

(i)            Weekly email updates to all Members outlining the matters to be examined the following week, and providing a summary of the previous week’s hearings.  This will be issued each Friday, unless circumstances arise which necessitate a change, in which case Members will be kept informed.

(ii)           The Portfolio Holder will have monthly informal meetings with Group Leaders to provide a regular opportunity for feedback and discussion.

(iii)          The Portfolio Holder will be kept informed of progress throughout the Examination and ensure other liaison as appropriate, for instance, an All Member Briefing.

(b)          Formal Portfolio Holder meetings arranged each month for the duration of the Examination hearings.  These will be held as necessary or cancelled if not needed.