Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration with regard to Governance issues and decision making for the Garden Village project.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration providing an update on the implementation of the Culm Garden Village governance arrangements since the Cabinet decision of July 2017 and the establishment of clear lines of decision making for the project going forward.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report highlighting how the Culm Garden Village had been awarded its status and the work that had taken place to date which included a number of key milestones which had been reached.  Community and stakeholder engagement had been supporting the locally led project and master planning work was being progressed as was work relating to the delivery of key pieces of infrastructure.  He outlined the governance arrangements in place which included the delivery board (and its decision making powers), the community/stakeholder forum, the landowner/developer forum and the project team.  The delivery board now included representation from Highways England and the local MP.  The next steps would be to produce a framework masterplan for long term growth of the garden village and a Supplementary Planning Document.  A bespoke website would be launched which would form the basis for engagement with the stakeholders and the local community.  He also mentioned the funding from the HIF for a relief road which has been discussed earlier in the meeting and the long term requirement for a new motorway junction.

Consideration was given to:

·         The need for an integrated transport plan to include a bus station in the vicinity of the proposed railway station

·         The wider community benefits that would come from the Garden Village

·         The Greater Exeter Strategic Plan being the intended policy vehicle to allocate the remainder of the Garden Village

RESOLVED that

a)    The project process and implementation of the previously agreed governance arrangements be noted;

b)    The decision making powers and framework for the Culm Garden Village project and its Delivery Board be agreed as set out in 2.3.7 and 2.3.8 of the report.

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott)

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