Local Council Involvement a Review of Prospects

Paul Beckerson – Town Clerk Leigh-on-Sea

*Legal Status & Process

*The Frontrunners

*Aims & Objectives

*Literature Review and background

*Research methodology

*The results

*The Case Studies (Ringmer & Tattenhall)

*Dawlish Examination Future implications

*Localism Act 2011 – Part 6, Chapter 3 and Schedule 9

*Conformity with LPA Plan and NPPF

*Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012

*Local Examination

*Referendum

*In 2011 there were 126 Frontrunners

*£20,000 DCLG funding for each bid (plan)

*Bids were done in 4 waves with a fifth one in 2012

*To pilot the process and establish good practice

*Aim – Establish the role of Local Councils in the NDP process and to establish lessons to be learnt

*Objectives* Explore the setting the context of NDPs through a

review of literature, historical context and community empowerment in planning

* Explain the role of LCs in the NDP Front-runners* Explain the power relationship between LPAs and LCs*Undertake two case studies of specific NDPs to provide

a more detailed analysis* Produce guidance and recommendations for LC

involvement in NDPs

*Skeffington Report 1969

* ‘Certainly the Committee feel that the broader aspect of their work is important in a large, complex and socially advanced industrial nation like ours where the principle of public participation can improve the quality of decisions by public authorities and give personal satisfaction to those affected by the decisions’ (Skeffington, 1969,p1).

*Town and Country Planning Act 1968

*Rural & Urban White Papers 2000 – Parish Plans over 4000 have been produced

* Planning Policy Statement 12 – (ODPM,2005)

* “Community involvement that is appropriate to the level of planning – arrangements need to be built on a clear understanding of the needs of the community and to be fit for purpose;

* Front loading of involvement – there should be opportunities for early community involvement and a sense of ownership of local planning decisions;

* Using methods of involvement that are relevant to the communities concerned;

* Clearly articulated opportunities for continuing involvement as part of a continuous programme, not a one off event;

* Transparency and accessibility; and* Planning for involvement – community involvement should be

planned into the process for the preparation and revision of Local Development Documents”

*Consisted of both Quantitative and Qualitative Elements

*Questionnaire to all 126 LPAs involved in the Frontrunner Bids (37 responses 29.38%)

*Questionnaire to the 40 LCs in the first two waves of Frontrunner Bids (17 responses 42.5%)

*The survey sought to establish role of LCs and what input LPAs were providing

*Two Case Studies of NDPs

*Lack of resources

*Unknown cost of Independent Examination and Referendum

*Process and amount of time involved

*Level of expertise required

*Prospective workload

*Would growth be supported in a referendum

*Chance for communities to shape their future

*Many LPAs felt that LCs aspirations were addressed when the bids were produced

*LPAs on the whole chose LCs who had a track record of community engagement

*A majority of LPA respondents 73.3% considered that LCs did not have the capacity to deliver the NDP

*But this was not seen as a problem in so much that the LPA had the capacity to advise and support them through the process

*LCs were evenly split on this issue

*The arrangements as regards the use of the £20,000 grant were varied

*whole grant to the LC

*Draw down arrangements

*Ring fence money for Independent Examination and Referendum

*A few were providing additional resources over and above the £20,000

*Ringmer Village Action Plan (2003)

*Employment Strategy for Ringmer (2006)

*A Strategy for Residential Development 2006 – 2026 (2009)

*Principles

*Countryside and Heritage

*Employment

*Residential Development

*Social and Leisure

*Infrastructure Requirements

*4 Seminars attendance between 44 & 75

*Housing attracted biggest attendance

*Public Exhibition 339 out of 4,573 pop.

*2 questionnaires – 1 general approach 80% to 90% in favour

*The other Housing – 37% 101 – 150 & 31% 151 -200

*Emerging Core Strategy identified two targets

*Local needs 176

*District needs 647

*Success in referendum in doubt if housing numbers in NDP were above 200

*If NDP proposed a lesser amount – danger of not passing independent examination

*Tattenhall and District Parish Plan (2006)

*Village Design Statement (2009)

*Successful social housing project

*Development Working Group (CW&C, T&DPC, Rural Innovation – Consultant - £10,000, Bolsworth Landed Estate and Cheshire Community Action)

* Public meeting in April 2011 – 3 Resident representatives out of 20 attendees (1,986 pop)

*Hand delivered leaflet – What do you like? – What can be improved on? – How do wish things to evolve over the next 20 years?

* 2 Public meetings (Sept & Oct 2011) over 100 attendees

*Village Primary School – Playing field one of the SHLAA* Youth engaged at music event organised by the

Bolsworth Estate representative (Youth experience)

*At the time of the research the DWG were collating an Issues and Options paper for consultation

*Homes to meet the needs of local people*Regenerating the local economy*Better facilities for the community* Improve accessibility* Protect the built environment* Encourage quality design* Encourage and support local distinctiveness* Protect landscape and conservation interests*Consultation June and July 2012

*Consultant £10,000

*Leaflets etc. £700

*Referendum £4,500

*Independent examination £15,000 based on 30 hours

*CW&C had budgeted £5,000 for the DWG

*CW&C Cabinet had passed 20% of the new homes bonus onto the Winsford NDP

*Potentially 900 homes in the Tattenhall District

*NDP seeks to allow 15 -20 homes per annum

*Developers want 25 and above

*Three sites –*Taylor Wimpy 120 homes

*Barrett 88 homes

*Red Rose Developments 100 homes

*Developers held talks with CW&C to try to bring sites forward – DWG unaware

*Not a blank sheet of paper – LDF & NPPF – Establish relevant policies at start of process

*When formulating NDP work closely with LPA to avoid conflict latter

*Committed leadership element to drive process

*Partnership must be inclusive – talk to developers and businesses

*Use existing resources

*Sufficient funding – devolved to groups to encourage participation

*Ensure and advise during the process that policies will conform

*Align LDF and NDP timetables where possible to avoid issues of non-conformity at a latter date

*An early decision on future funding arrangements

*Monitor costs of Front Runners to ensure sufficient funding

*Dawlish Independent Examination

*Found it was not in conformity as LDF was still evolving!

*Went to examination even though it was not intended that it should be an official NDP!

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*The End or just the beginning!