The Head of Planning Services has submitted a report seeking Cabinet’s agreement to publication of the draft updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for public consultation. 

Recommendation:That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Agree to publish the draft updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for public consultation.

The Head of Planning Services had submitted a report to seek agreement to publication of  the draft updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for public consultation.

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery, introduced the report. The Statement of Community Involvement was a statutory document which set out the ways in which the Council consults the public about certain planning matters. The version on which it was proposed to consult reflected, among other things, changes necessitated by Covid-19 and a greater emphasis on the role of consultation by digital means. The value of early consultation by  applicants in relation to planning matters could not be underestimated.

In relation to digital matters it was noted that for Council meetings to continue exclusively on a remote and virtual basis after May would require the introduction of primary legislation of which there was no sign at the moment. It was agreed that hybrid meetings (ie a mixture of remote and face to face) were generally less satisfactory.

While digital access for some was not possible or very difficult, many more had been able to engage with a range of Council matters than would otherwise have been the case. It was important, also, to be mindful of the needs of those who may have sensory or other difficulties in accessing virtual meetings, planning or other consultation matters.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Agree to publish the draft updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for public consultation.