Agenda item

The Team Leader (Planning Policy) presented a report that sought agreement on the scoping consultation document, the approach to engagement and its distribution to the community.

The Panel was advised that the scoping consultation formed the third stage in the plan making process and was guided by government regulations. The panel was being invited to agree the scoping consultation document, engagement and the distribution in the community to seek comments.

The Team Leader (Planning Policy) said that the scoping consultation was a key part of the getting ready period undertaken within the four-month period prior to the formal 30-month timeline for completing the local plan.

The panel was advised that the regulations specified the bodies that should be invited to make representations during the scoping consultation and the matters about which representations should be made.

The Team Leader (Planning Policy) said that the aim of the scoping consultation was to provide meaningful early engagement in the plan making process from invited groups and members of the community. He set out the issues about which representations could be made and advised that the consultation would run for four weeks between 11 June and 10 July 2026.

The Panel was advised that the consultation should be strategic and high level so as to strike a balance between engaging a wide audience and encouraging constructive focussed feedback to meaningfully inform the next stages of plan making.

The scoping consultation document had 14 questions aimed at delivering short and focused responses about the plan. The Team Leader (Planning Policy) set out the matters that had been set out beforehand in the context of the scoping document. The scoping consultation would provide information from the community on their priorities for the local plan which would inform the next stages in plan making.

The Panel was advised of the communications actions that had been put in place which included social media and a press release. The consultation document would be available for stakeholders and the wider community for the prescribed period between 11 June and 10 July 2026 via a range of means.

The Panel touched on the balance of the questions and the need to achieve a high level of detail instead of a vast quantity of very detailed questions. They also commented on the sensible pitch of the questions and how the consultation would be conducted in terms of using social media, online methods or in person.

The Panel asked if there would be direct communications with parish councils. The Team Leader (Planning Policy) said that the regulations had defined a number of specific consultees and parish councils were included in that. Officers were refreshing the database used for the previous district plan preparation process. There would be a parish and town council forum at the beginning of the consultation period.

The Team Leader (Planning Policy) answered a question about AI generated content in terms of consultation comments. The Chair said that officers could expect AI responses on everything and not just on housing related matters.

Councillor Dumont proposed, and Councillor Crystall seconded a motion that Council, via the Executive be advised that (A) subject to the publication of the Notice to Commence Local Plan Preparation and the Local Plan Timetable, the East Herts Local Plan – Scoping Consultation document (Appendix A) is made available to relevant stakeholders and the wider community to begin a discussion about the district’s new Local Plan, and to seek comments in accord with the Regulations; (B) engagement on the Scoping Consultation document should commence, taking place between 11 June and 10 July 2026, through a range of different forums, including online on the Council’s website; (C) any minor amendments required to the content of the Scoping Consultation document prior to the consultation period be delegated to the Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth; and (D) a further report detailing any feedback is prepared for Executive following engagement, with the intention of informing the Local Plan.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) Council, via the Executive be advised that, subject to the publication of the Notice to Commence Local Plan Preparation and the Local Plan Timetable, the East Herts Local Plan – Scoping Consultation document (Appendix A) is made available to relevant stakeholders and the wider community to begin a discussion about the district’s new Local Plan, and to seek comments in accord with the Regulations;

B)     engagement on the Scoping Consultation document should commence, taking place between 11 June and 10 July 2026, through a range of different forums, including online on the Council’s website;

C)     Any minor amendments required to the content of the Scoping Consultation document prior to the consultation period be delegated to the Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth; and

D)    A further report detailing any feedback is prepared for Executive following engagement, with the intention of informing the Local Plan.