Agenda item

1. The Neighbourhood Plan Area for Bovingdon is agreed to be consulted upon; and

2.    That authority is delegated to the Assistant Director ,Planning, Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure to consider the consultation responses and formally designate the Bovingdon Neighbourhood Plan Area.

Decision

1. The Neighbourhood Plan Area for Bovingdon is agreed to be consulted upon; and
2. That authority is delegated to the Assistant Director, Planning, Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure to consider the consultation responses and formally designate the Bovingdon Neighbourhood Plan Area.  

Corporate objectives

If the area is formally designated for neighbourhood planning, the Bovingdon Neighbourhood Plan may assist in supporting the following corporate priorities for Dacorum:

·      A clean, safe and enjoyable environment e.g. may contain policies relating to the design and layout of new development that promote security and safe access;

·      Building strong and vibrant communities;

·      Ensuring economic growth and prosperity;

·      Providing good quality affordable homes, in particular for those most in need;

·      Dacorum delivers:  e.g. provides a clear framework upon which planning decisions can be made;

·      Community Capacity: e.g. allows local communities to prepare area-specific guidance within Neighbourhood Plans

Monitoring Officer:  

The Council has a duty to support a Parish Council or Neighbourhood Forum in the preparation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP). This includes providing technical support expertise and resources to such level as the Council considers appropriate. The Council is also responsible for arranging an independent Inspection of the NDP and to meet the cost of the Inspection.

If the NDP meets all the necessary criteria it can only come into being if more than 50% of those voting in a referendum vote in favour of it. If the referendum is in favour of the NDP it must be adopted by the Council. The Council is responsible for arranging the referendum which must take place in the Grovehill Neighbourhood Area and this process will be organised by the Election’s team

Deputy S.151 Officer

At present there are limited financial liabilities in relation to the creation of this NDP. Any costs incurred that DBC are liable to meet will be met by MHCLG funding where applicable with any residual costs being met from within the existing planning and regeneration budgets.

Advice

Councillor G Sutton introduced the item and said the purpose of this report was to identify and approve the area requested by Bovingdon Parish Council. The plan submitted fulfils all the requirements and does not overlap on other areas. If the report is approved, it will set the plan in action.

J Doe said this was the second neighbourhood plan submitted to the council, the first being in Grovehill. If approved, there will be a public consultation and then a referendum. It is important to note that the Local Plan is currently being developed and it will be vital to keep in contact with the parish council to make sure both plans do not contradict each other.

Councillor Birnie referred to page 26 and asked if there was an error as it stated the referendum would take place in Grovehill.

J Doe said this was an error. The referendum would be held in Bovingdon.

Councillor Williams said it was his understanding that the Cabinet is obliged to accept the plan if all the criteria has been met.

Councillor Birnie asked about the limit of neighbourhood plans a council can have.

J Deacon said that the funding comes from the government and that funding is limited to five plans. Anymore plans would need to be funded by the council.

Councillor Tindall asked if the parish council had carried out any informal consultation to find out the views of residents.

J Doe said he was not aware of any but said that a public consultation would follow.

Councillor Williams said he was aware that there have been discussions within parish council meetings with external support.

Voting

None.