Issue - meetings

The Leader presented the recommendation, which was referred to in the Executive report of 24 November 2020, regarding the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy. The Leader said that this was an important document and she was proud to present it to Council.

Councillor Goldspink said that the Liberal Democrat group were always in favour of community engagements and the group was happy to support the recommendations.

Councillor Haysey proposed that the recommendations in the Executive report (at minute 258) be supported. Councillor Devonshire seconded the proposal. The motion to support the recommendation having been put to the meeting, and a vote taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy be approved as a material consideration in the production of planning policy/guidance documents and the processing of planning applications associated with the Gilston Area; and

(B) the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy be published alongside the other planning guidance documents that support implementation of the District Plan.

(A)     That the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy is approved as a material consideration in the production of planning policy/guidance documents and the processing of planning applications associated with the Gilston Area.

(B)     That the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy is published alongside the other planning guidance documents that support implementation of the District Plan.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report which sought agreement for the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy and for this to be a material consideration in future planning matters associated with the development of the Gilston Area. The strategy would be published alongside other planning guidance documents that supported implementation of the District Plan. The Leader said that this would become one of a suite of documents to be used in the Gilston Planning applications going forward and also the Garden Town. 

The Leader said that it was extremely important to engage with all residents, ages and demographics including those who live here and those who may come to live in Gilston. She referred to the close collaborative working with groups and organisations including Parish Councils on such matters.   

Councillor Buckmaster agreed that it was a very important paper.  He referred to page 104 and GA1 of the District Plan and the development of Village Master Plans and said that a Strategic Landscaping Master Plan had been development for future consideration. He explained the private arrangement between developers and local authorities in relation to Section 106 Agreements guided by community engagement. He concluded by adding that it was important that the document recognised the timing element of the engagement processes and consultations which needed to be planned carefully.

The Leader proposed and Councillor Buckmaster seconded a motion supporting the recommendation in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A)  the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy be approved as a material consideration in the production of planning policy/guidance documents and the processing of planning applications associated with the Gilston Area; and

(B) the Gilston Area Community Engagement Strategy be published alongside the other planning guidance documents, that support implementation of the District Plan.