Decision details

To consider a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration regarding the proposed governance and structure of the Garden Village development

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration requesting consideration of governance arrangements for the Culm Garden Village Project.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that Government had confirmed via a ministerial announcement on 2 January 2017, the success of Mid Devon’s expression of interest for a garden village, one of 14 to be announced nationally.  The expression of interest was supported by Cullompton Town Council, Cullompton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and the Local Enterprise Partnership. 

Since the announcement of garden village status, work had started to identify and scope out priority work streams and tasks and a project plan progressed.  Governance arrangements were now required to establish a structure for the project identifying decision-making, reporting lines and links to the wider community in Cullompton.

He highlighted the mapping within Appendix A of the report which highlighted:

·         The Delivery Board 

·         The Project team

·         The Stakeholder Forum

·         The Landowner/Developer Forum

·         The Growth and Infrastructure Group

·         The Neighbourhood Plan Group

Appendix B identified the initial composition and membership of the various elements of the proposed governance structure.

Consideration was given to:

·         The involvement of the different forums and the delivery of the scheme

·         The key role of the project coordinator

·         The proposed number of dwellings within the initial and proposed scheme and whether that would impact on the allocated sites within the Local Plan Review

·         Funding for the project

·         The involvement of local Town and Parishes Councils

·         The naming of the Garden Village, this issue was raised by a local Ward Member and it was confirmed that this should be considered by the Stakeholder Group.

·         Bids for further funding that were being progressed

·         Infrastructure requirements

RESOLVED that:

a)    The proposed garden village governance structure be agreed.

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive and Legal Services Manager and Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader to prepare initial governance documents for approval at the first meeting of the Delivery Board.

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.