Issue - meetings

RESOLVED – that (A) the specification for the District Plan Delivery Study contained at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’, be noted; and

(B)   the presentations to site promoters and subsequent meeting notes contained at Essential Reference Papers ‘C’ and ‘D’, be noted.

(see also Minute 266).

The Panel considered a report on progress with the Delivery Study, a critical piece of the evidence base for the emerging District Plan.  The report also explained the Council’s approach to engagement with site promoters (landowners and prospective developers), which would be necessary to ensure that the Council met soundness requirements for Examination in Public.

In response to Members’ comments, Officers advised that consultants for undertaking the Study would be appointed shortly and that the timetable had to be robust and realistic.

Cllr G Jones commented that the Delivery Study would be critical to demonstrating that the plan was sound, and asked whether, given the ambitious scope of the work, it was realistic to expect the consultants to report by 10 September as suggested in Paragraph 56 of the specification.  Officers replied that the proposed work programme was indeed extremely tight, and that paragraph 57 of the specification asked for an honest assessment of the feasibility of the proposed deadline.  This would be taken up with the consultants at the inception meeting.

Cllr G Jones asked whether there could be potential conflicts of interest facing the Delivery Study consultants.  Officers replied that given the large number of sites promoted by different developers across the District, and the limited number of consultancy firms competent to undertake work of this nature, there was the possibility of some conflicts.  It would be necessary to identify the precise nature of any such conflicts and to ensure that the consultants avoided working in these specific areas.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the specification for the District Plan Delivery Study contained at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’, be noted; and

(B)      the presentations to site promoters and subsequent meeting notes contained at Essential Reference Papers ‘C’ and ‘D’, be noted.