Council and councillors

Report No. 57/2017 from the Director for Places (Development and Economy) was received.

The purpose of the report was to seek Cabinet approval for the Langham Neighbourhood Plan prior to forwarding it to the Full Council for the plan to be ‘made’ following an examination by an Independent Examiner and a referendum on the plan with the local community.

Mr Wilby advised that questions on education received from Miss Waller would be responded to by Gill Curtis, Head of Service – Lifelong Learning; and Robert Shore, Adult Learning Manager had been requested, if necessary,  to contact the Langham Neighbourhood Steering Group and Parish Council regarding the comments on Further Adult Education

During discussion the following points were raised:

i)                 The RCC Neighbourhood Plan Working Group was working on a new draft policy.

ii)               Communities should be encouraged to review plans.

iii)              That there would be a stronger narrative with the report when taken to Council regarding the aspirations and that which was achievable; to be contained within Neighbourhood Plans.

DECISION

1)    That Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL the making of the Langham Neighbourhood Plan in Appendix A to Report No. 57/2017.

2)    That Cabinet APPROVED the publication of the Decision statement in Appendix B to Report No. 57/2017 as part of the making of the Langham Neighbourhood Plan.

Reasons for Decision

1.     The Langham Neighbourhood Plan had been prepared in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements, including public consultation, independent examination and local referendum.  More than 50% of those voting in the referendum voted in favour of the plan and therefore the Council was formally required to make the plan.

2.     Subject to Cabinet approval, it was recommended that the Langham Neighbourhood Plan be made by resolution of the Council on 10^th April 2017.  Once made, the neighbourhood plan would become part of the statutory development plan.  It would thereafter be an important consideration in the determination of planning applications for development in Langham.