Issue - meetings

Cabinet

a)    Noted the progress being made on Neighbourhood Planning across the district set out in paragraphs 5-11 of this report;

b)    Agreed to consult parishes on the draft Neighbourhood Planning Guidance arising out of the work of the Task and Finish Group as detailed in paragraphs 12-14 of this report;

c)    Agreed the draft standard support offer to parishes (or groups of parishes) preparing a Neighbourhood Plan as set out in Appendix 2,  forming part of the Guidance for consultation in b), including the specific elements highlighted at paragraphs 15-17 of this report; and

d)    Agreed that the resource and budgetary implications of Neighbourhood Planning be reviewed annually when preparing the Service Plan and during preparation of the budget and that if temporary additional resources are otherwise justified, these can be bought-in subject to existing budgets.

This decision was first published on Tuesday 19 September and so the deadline for call-in is Tuesday 26 September at 5pm. If not called-in this decision can be implemented on Wednesday 27 September.

Cabinet

a)    Noted the progress being made on Neighbourhood Planning across the district set out in paragraphs 5-11 of this report;

b)    Agreed to consult parishes on the draft Neighbourhood Planning Guidance arising out of the work of the Task and Finish Group as detailed in paragraphs 12-14 of this report;

c)     Agreed the draft standard support offer to parishes (or groups of parishes) preparing a Neighbourhood Plan as set out in Appendix 2,  forming part of the Guidance for consultation in b), including the specific elements highlighted at paragraphs 15-17 of this report; and

d)    Agreed that the resource and budgetary implications of Neighbourhood Planning be reviewed annually when preparing the Service Plan and during preparation of the budget and that if temporary additional resources are otherwise justified, these can be bought-in subject to existing budgets.

Cabinet considered a report reviewing progress with Neighbourhood Planning in South Cambridgeshire, outlining the work of the Neighbourhood Planning Task and Finish Group (NPTFG), and making recommendations for the future.

Councillor Robert Turner highlighted the list, in paragraph 6, of Neighbourhood Areas designated so far within the District, and paid tribute to those officers involved. Councillor Lynda Harford, speaking as a local Member for Cottenham, added her gratitude on behalf of Cottenham residents.

The Leader highlighted paragraph 15.

Councillor John Williams expressed concern about available resources and capacity at South Cambridgeshire District Council. He also sought to identify the average cost of a Neighbourhood Plan. Councillor Turner acknowledged that introduction of the Neighbourhood Plan concept had led to substantial interest from Parish Councils, resulting in a relatively high number of applications being received in a short space of time. It was now the case though that Parish Councils that were already well advanced with the process were beginning to help and advise other Parish Councils just starting out. Capacity in the Planning Policy Team had been boosted and, as the report stated, officers would monitor demand, and seek to balance such demand with district resources and capacity. The cost of neighbourhood plans would vary significantly, depending on content, but a figure of £13,000 nationally was often quoted. 

Councillor Anna Bradnam said there was some concern regarding the lack of guidance about Neighbourhood Plans, and access to officers. She cited the complexity involved in pursuing a Neighbourhood Plan for Waterbeach. Councillor Turner was not aware that any such problems existed, and commented that the work of the Member Task and Finish Group had culminated in the preparation of extensive guidance on neighbourhood planning, upon which public consultation would take place for six weeks starting on 18 September 2017.

Responding to a comment from Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins, the Deputy Leader said that South Cambridgeshire District Council had never discouraged the aspirations of Parish Councils but, in the beginning, had invited them to submit their proposals as part of the process involved in agreeing its district-wide Local Plan.

Cabinet

a)    Noted the progress being made on Neighbourhood Planning across the district, as set out in paragraphs 5-11 of this report;

b)    Agreed to consult parishes on the draft Neighbourhood Planning Guidance arising out of the work of the Task and Finish Group as detailed in paragraphs 12-14 of this report;

c)     Agreed the draft standard support offer to parishes (or groups of parishes) preparing a Neighbourhood Plan as set out in Appendix 2,  forming part of the Guidance for consultation in b), including the specific elements highlighted at paragraphs 15-17 of this report; and

d)    Agreed that the resource and budgetary implications of Neighbourhood Planning be reviewed annually when preparing the Service Plan and during preparation of the budget and that if temporary additional resources are otherwise justified, these can be bought-in subject to existing budgets.