Issue - meetings

1.       That the draft of a new Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for consultation as set out in the report to Cabinet be approved;

2.       That further technical information on consulting on planning applications is added to the SCI and that authority  is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration)

3.       That authority for the arrangements for targeted consultation is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) on the basis as set out in the report to Cabinet.

Decision

1.       That the draft of a new Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for consultation as set out in the report to Cabinet be approved;

2.       That further technical information on consulting on planning applications is added to the SCI and that authority  is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration)

3.       That authority for the arrangements for targeted consultation is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) on the basis as set out in the report to Cabinet.

Reason for Decision

That Cabinet consider a draft of a new Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and agree arrangements for seeking feedback on this.

Implications

Financial

There are no direct financial implications relating to the preparation  of a new SCI.  However, there are implications for the consultation arrangements set out within it: and the need to balance public expectations regarding the types of consultation techniques with the costs involved. 

Value for money

The SCI sets out the range of consultation techniques that will be used within the planning process and the need to ensure that these are fit for purpose and proportionate in terms of the scale and nature of the planning issue(s) involved.

Legal

The production on an SCI is a legal requirement.  Compliance with an up to date SCI assist the Council in defending objections and appeals against its planning decisions.  Conversely, failure to comply with the standards and processes set out within the SCI could result in legal action against the Council. 

Staff

No direct implications for staffing.  However, all staff and elected Members need to be aware of the content of the SCI and follow processes and procedures within it.

Land

No direct implications, although the planning documents and proposals that will be subject to consultation will have implications for the future use of land.

Risk Implications

Key challenges relating to consultation are set out within the SCI itself.  Key risks relate to non-compliance with the SCI – resulting in legal challenges - and the need to balance public aspirations regarding consultation and involvement in planning decisions, with the limited budgets available.

Equalities implications

Equalities issues are considered through the Sustainability Appraisal process that all planning policy documents are subject to.  The SCI itself also considers the most appropriate consultation techniques to reach different types of consultees. There may also be indirect implications for the SCI i.e. relating to the choice of venues for public consultation events and the need to ensure these are DDA complaint.

Health And Safety Implications

No direct implications.  There may be indirect implications relating to different types of consultation techniques and the choice of event venues.

Corporate Objectives

The SCI sets out how the Council will consult on its planning policy document and on planning applications. It therefore directly supports the ‘Community Capacity’ and ‘Dacorum Delivers,’ and indirectly supports all other objectives via the plans and developments that arise through the planning process.

Advice

The Strategic Planning & Regeneration Team Leader gave the following introduction to the report.

‘The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122