Issue - meetings

Neighbourhood Planning - Governance arrangements

Meeting: 20/06/2012 - Executive Board (Item 15)

15 Neighbourhood Planning - Management, Support and Protocol Arrangements pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To consider the report of the Director of City Development regarding the governance arrangements proposed in respect of the Neighbourhood Planning initiative.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing a general overview and update on the neighbourhood planning process, setting out the requirements and implications for the Council of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 and proposing governance and protocol arrangements for neighbourhood planning generally, with specific reference to the preparation of neighbourhood plans. In addition, the report outlined the roles and responsibilities for the Council and local communities at the different stages of the neighbourhood planning process, detailed progress on neighbourhood planning in Leeds, highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges of the new process, presented the contents of the draft neighbourhood planning guidance for approval and outlined how neighbourhood planning could assist the Council with regeneration and service delivery.

 

The Board considered the range of approaches being taken by communities across Leeds in respect of Neighbourhood Plans. In response to Members’ enquiries, officers highlighted the actions which were being taken to ensure that the Council took a proactive approach towards the Neighbourhood Planning agenda, with specific details being provided regarding the allocation of staffing resource. Members noted the involvement of Area Committees in the development of the process.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, which came into force on 6th April be noted and that a progress report be submitted to Executive Board in 6 months on how neighbourhood planning is working in Leeds.

 

(b)  That the Neighbourhood Planning Guidance Note, as attached as Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved, and that the necessary authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer to make any further amendments/formatting.

 

(c)    That the governance and protocol arrangements, as set out within the submitted report be approved.

 

(d)  That it be noted that a presentation will be made to Area Committee Chairs outlining the important role that they will have in the neighbourhood planning process.

 

(e)  That the establishment of a corporate neighbourhood planning steering group be agreed, which will ensure that the support and advice for neighbourhood planning is linked to regeneration, service delivery and the localism agenda generally (paragraph 3.8 of the submitted report specifically refers).

 

(f)  That it be noted that a citywide neighbourhood planning event(s) will launch the neighbourhood planning guidance note, which will aim to provide support and raise awareness for local Members, local communities and other stakeholders.