Agenda item

Proposed Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (1-11-37)

To receive a report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration making further recommendations on various aspects of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP) to be prepared jointly with the Councils of Mid Devon, East Devon, Exeter City and Teignbridge in partnership with Devon County Council.

Minutes:

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration making further recommendations on various aspects of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan to be prepared jointly with the Councils of Mid Devon, East Devon, Exeter City and Teignbridge in partnership with Devon County Council.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that the four Local Planning Authorities of East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon and Teignbridge had confirmed that they would prepare a joint plan to cover strategic matters for their area and had agreed the general funding arrangements and that this work would be in partnership with Devon County Council. Decisions were taken by full council meetings of each on 27 July, 26 July, 31 August and 26 September respectively. It was therefore proposed that further consideration be now given to:

· Subject matter and scope.

· GESP timetable

· Mid Devon Local Plan Review timetable

· Local Development Scheme

· Governance

· Issues Report consultation

· Statement of Community Involvement consultation

· Housing and Employment Land Call for Sites

· Dealing with inconsistencies between councils

· Staffing arrangements

Consideration was given to:

· The strategic approach with other neighbouring authorities

· The fact that each authority would make individual decisions with regard to the strategic plan

· The need to include “minor” prior to inconsistencies in recommendation 9 to limit the amendment risk and that the Cabinet Member’s title be added.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:

1. The subject matter of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan is agreed, subject to review as the plan is prepared.

2. The timetable for the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan is agreed.

3. The Local Development Scheme attached as Appendix 1 is to have effect from 22^nd February 2017.

4. The Greater Exeter Strategic Plan is prepared under Section 28 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, without the need for a statutory joint planning committee (thereby retaining sign off of key plan stages by individual councils).

5. A Member Steering Group is set up with a representative from each of the five councils, to which the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration is appointed, with the Leader as his deputy.

6. A joint informal advisory reference forum is set up consisting of 5 councillors each from Mid Devon, Devon, East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge to consider and make comments on draft plan proposals before they are formally considered by each council.

7. The “Issues” document attached as Appendix 2 to this report is agreed for consultation.

8. The draft Greater Exeter Statement of Community Involvement attached as Appendix 3 is agreed for consultation.

9. Resolving any minor inconsistencies arising from the decisions of individual councils is delegated to the relevant Chief Executive in consultation with their Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration.

10.Delegated authority to agree minor modifications (which do not go to the heart of the documents’ meanings) is granted to the Head of Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration.

11. The staffing proposal is approved with additional funding of £30,000 in order to ensure Mid Devon is represented.

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr R L Stanley)

Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes

Supporting documents: