To comment on the report to be considered by Cabinet on the 27 July 2017.

The Head of Planning, Jenifer Jackson, informed the Panel that this report sought approval from Cabinet for the Hurley and the Waltham’s Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum at the earliest practicable opportunity.  It was noted that the Neighbourhood Plan had been formally examined by an independent examiner, and a number of changes had been recommended by the examiner to ensure that the plan met the basic conditions.  The Head of Planning explained that as there were several parishes in the plan area it would require more polling stations, the cost of the referendum could be claimed back from the government.

Members were informed that after the Draft Neighbourhood Plan had been submitted to the Royal Borough a formal process of consultation was undertaken by planning officers and the results were forwarded to the independent examiner for their consultation during the examination process.  It was noted that the consultation process had met the legal requirements.  The Head of Planning explained that members of the Planning Team had met with the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, of which Councillor Maureen Hunt is Chairman, and they and members of the Planning Team were both content. 

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

·                That there was no minimum number of people able to vote.

·                That the turnout in Ascot had been around 20% which was considered significant.

·                That there was only one divergence that would be resolved when the BLP goes through examination so was not considered an issue at present.

·                That it was hoped that the Neighbourhood Plan would be approved in early September.

·                That the Council could not impose the current NPPF position.

·                That they could be used as planning policy at a planning enquiry.

·         Councillor Malcolm Beer asked whether the Old Windsor Parish Council had submitted comments.  The Head of Planning confirmed they had not.  Councillor Malcolm Beer stated that he would look into this.

The Planning & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Panel unanimously agreed to recommend that Cabinet:

i)     Confirms that the plan meets the Basic Conditions tests and does not require a SA/SEA; and

ii)    Accepts the proposed changes to the Neighbourhood Plan set out in Appendix B, and

a.    Gives delegated authority to the Head of Planning to issue a decision statement; and

b.    agrees to put the modified Neighbourhood Plan to referendum.  The date of the referendum to be set in accordance with the legal requirements; and

iii)   Delegates authority to the Executive Director, in consultation with the Principal Member for Neighbourhood Planning, to make minor, non material, amendments to the Neighbourhood Plan prior to the referendum being announced; and

iv)   Provides advance funding, if required, for the referendum which will then be claimed back from Government.

It was agreed that the Head of Planning would provide the Panel with a written response as to what happens to the consultation database details once they had been used for the specific purpose intended. 

Councillor David Hilton, on behalf of the Panel, stated that the policy on car parking was beneficial observing that other Neighbourhood Plans did not contain this level of detail; for other areas the Council’s Parking Standards needed revision.  Councillor Malcolm Beer stated that there was only a maximum not a minimum that could be specified for parking standard requirements which caused parking to be a problem in the Royal Borough.  The Chairman stated that with regard to employment side of things he felt not enough went into employment opportunities.  Councillor Michael Airey questioned how simpler communication would be provided to inform the voter about what could be achieved – Councillor Maureen Hunt explained that a number of articles went into various parish / church magazines, on various parish websites and in the Maidenhead Advertiser. 

The Panel hoped the Planning Team was happy with the outcome and wished the referendum every success.

The Panel congratulated Councillor Maureen Hunt on her hard work and dedication regarding the work she and the Steering Group had put into the document.