Agenda item

The Committee referred to the report circulated with the agenda.

The PH reported that the Joint SCI had been produced by the GESP authorities to explain to the public how they would be involved in planning matters.  The document sets out the proposed approach to public consultation on the GESP as it progresses through its statutory plan-making stages towards adoption. 

It is proposed that the consultation period is extended from six to eight weeks in light of the current Covid-19 situation. This would help members of the public and organisations such as Town and Parish Councils to make comment. The consultation would be undertaken by flexible approaches, supported by Government guidelines, given the current situation.

The proposed Joint SCI covered the four Greater Exeter local planning authorities of Exeter City, East Devon District, Mid Devon District and Teignbridge District Councils. It would become a Local Development Document, if approved by all four local planning authorities. Should any changes be suggested by the GESP authorities there would need to be a meeting of the Council Leaders in consultation with PHs and Chief Executives or Managing Directors to agree a consolidated version of the document.

The Principal Policy Planner added that the adoption of the SCI was a statutory requirement. A similar Plan for Teignbridge was adopted last year, which is used to consult on the Local Plan.  A draft of the proposed Joint SCI was itself subject to public consultation in 2017.  The agenda report explained how the proposed Joint SCI had been amended, both in light of responses to the 2017 consultation and to take account of Government guidance on Covid-19 restrictions on social interaction.

It was proposed by Councillor Jenks and seconded by Councillor Parker-Khan that the recommendations as set out in the agenda report be approved subject to an amendment to recommendation B to include the additional words in italics. 

……..in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Leader of the Opposition and Managing Director, to agree minor editorial changes, and emailing all Councillors within 24 hours of the changes to the Joint SCI…….

During discussion it was asked whether the consultation would cover the Council’s legal requirements. In response the Principal Policy Planner confirmed that the SCI as written addressed the Council’s statutory requirements.

The vote was taken by roll call as follows:

For:  Councillors Austen, D Cox, H Cox, Eden, Foden, Goodman-Bradbury, Hayes, Hocking, Jenks, Morgan, Nutley, Nuttall, Orme, Parker-Khan, Patch, Peart, J Petherick, Purser, Rollason, Thorne, Bullivant -  21

Against:  Councillors Daws, Mullone  - 2

The Proposal was carried.

RECOMMENDED

The Committee recommends that the Executive:

A.     Approves the contents and adopts the Joint SCI that has been prepared for the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP); and

B.  Gives delegated authority to the Leader, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Leader of the Opposition and Managing Director, to agree minor editorial changes, to the Joint SCI arising from decisions by the other GESP local planning authorities, and emailing all Councillors within 24 hours of the changes, and to approve it as a Local Development Document, noting that it will apply jointly to East Devon District, Exeter City, Mid Devon District and Teignbridge District Councils.