Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader

The Leader introduced the report which was seeking approval from Council to approve and publish a protocol that would provide :

a)    A general overview and advice to parishes and interested local community groups on the neighbourhood planning process;

b)    Guidance on how the Council will support and process neighbourhood plans and orders; and

c)    A coordinated approach within the Council in relation to neighbourhood planning.

The Leader explained that in terms of funding there was no guarantee that it would be fully funded externally but at present a local authority may submit claims of up to £30 000 for each completed Neighbourhood Development Plan to support the process. In Cheltenham there was one Neighbourhood Plan in place and one was ‘in the pipeline’. The protocol clearly laid down who takes which decision and at what point.

The Leader wished to take the opportunity to thank colleagues represented on the Planning and Liaison group who had considered this report.

RESOLVED (unanimously) THAT

The Cheltenham Borough Council Neighbourhood Planning Protocol be approved and published on the Council’s website.