Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council presented the recommendation for the Adoption of the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan. He said that the plan went to a referendum on 4 May 2023 and 93% of people who voted, supported it. He said the examiner paid tribute to the Neighbourhood Plan group.

Councillor Williams proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Wilson seconded the proposal.

Councillor Deering said that the Conservative Group supported the recommendation.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - That the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Area Plan 2019-2033 formally made (adopted).

Councillor Glover-Ward declared an interest in the item as she was the Chair of the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan. She left the Chamber for the discussion and voting of the item.

The Leader of the Council presented the report on behalf of the Executive Member for Planning and Growth. He said that Neighbourhood Plans were an important document for residents and the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Plan had a strong vision for sustainable development and was a positive addition to the development management process. He paid tribute to Councillor Glover-Ward who had chaired the plan and to those who had been involved in the community effort to develop the plan. He said that the referendum result spoke for itself with the vote on 4 May 2023 receiving 93% support and referred to the examiner’s report which gave great feedback on the quality of the plan. He referred to one factual error in the report on page 89 that stated the pre-submission (Regulation 14) consultation took place in November and December 2021 when it was extended to February 2022.

Councillor Daar said it was exciting to see the Neighbourhood Plan come into place and said that there was one area left in Hertford without a plan and hoped the community would start developing one soon.

Councillor Hopewell said she knew that a massive amount of work had gone into the plan and said it was fantastic that it got such a high level of support in the referendum.

Councillor Crystall proposed, and Councillor Daar second a motion supporting the recommendation in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - To recommend to Council that the Kingsmead Neighbourhood Area Plan 2019-2033, as detailed at Appendix A to this report, be formally made (adopted).