Decision details

The Committee considered a report by the Lead Officer Planning Policy (circulated previously) regarding the draft North Devon Statement of Community Involvement.

The Lead Officer Planning Policy highlighted the following:

·         The Council adopted its current Statement of Community Involvement in January 2015 and a review was now required both as a result of the age of the document and to reflect changes to statutory requirements significantly in respect of neighbourhood planning.

·         It outlined how the Council would engage with the local community and other stakeholders in the preparation and review of development plan documents and supplementary planning documents; and the decision making process associated with planning and other applications.  The document had been produced in partnership with Torridge District Council, who were preparing a similar separate document.

·         The revised document was broadly similar to the current document.  The main points of difference related to:

o   New national requirement to outline proposed support and engagement for preparation of neighbourhood plans

o   Further references to use of social media

o   Removing the requirement for an additional stage, to that required by legislation, on consulting on a draft plan prior to its publication for further consultation.

·         Following public consultation, a further report would be brought back to the Committee prior to its adoption.

In response to a question, the Lead Officer Planning Policy advised that the document set out the roles and responsibilities for the local community and the Council at each stage of neighbourhood planning.  There were no proposed changes in the level of support provided by the Council to local communities.

The Committee suggested that a briefing note should be provided for local communities detailing Government resources and funding that was available for neighbourhood planning.  It was also suggested that administrative support provided by the Council to local communities to assist with the neighbourhood planning process should be revisited.