Minutes of the Meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group held in the Mayor’s Parlour, Town Hall, Bideford on Wednesday 12 December 2018
PRESENT:
South Ward:
Cllr D Brenton
Cllr J Day
East Ward:
Cllr Mrs R Craigie
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs H Blackburn (Town Clerk)
Mrs C Parsons (Administration Assistant)
09. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence.
10. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest made at this point of the meeting
11. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
There was one member of the public in attendance, Cllr R Wootton - who informed the
Committee about the People’s Assembly – Torridge Common Ground. This group were to hold their first meeting in the forthcoming week. Councillor Wootton asked whether this group might be involved in the Neighbourhood Plan. The Chairman asked whether this group had a political agenda. The Chairman welcomed any input to the plan from the group.
12. MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr Craigie, and it was seconded and
RESOLVED That: the Minutes of the 17 October 2018 are approved and signed as a correct record.
(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0, Abstentions: 0)
13. UPDATE ON THE ORGANISATIONS CONTACTED ABOUT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
A list of organisations that had been contacted to date with an initial invitation to forthcoming meetings was circulated during the meeting. It was agreed that members would have a copy of this list, along with those organisations and individuals that had expressed an interest so far.
It was also agreed that the Trades Council would be contacted, along with the main active political parties.
14. TO CONSIDER THE SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY DEVON COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
Members considered the list of consultancy services provided by Catalyst and Devon Communities Together (DCT), who provide support to Town and Parish Councils during the Neighbourhood Plan development process. After discussion it was
Proposed by Councillor Craigie, seconded and
RECOMMENDED That: Catalyst and Devon Communities Together be approached to provide the following services, subject to grant funding to cover this.
• (1) Project Management - Estimated Price £2100
• (2) Support for funding bids - Price £175
• (4) Public meeting to explain the Neighbourhood Development Plan
process and answer local questions - Price £350
(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0, Abstentions: 0)
15. TO DISCUSS ISSUES RAISED IN THE NALC DOCUMENT “WHERE NEXT FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS”
The NALC document was circulated prior to the meeting. It was apparent from the document not all Town and Parish Councils understood planning mechanisms within their local area.
The Chairman stated that the Neighbourhood Planning Policy must be cannot influence the number of houses being built in the local area but can impact upon the ratio of charity and coffee shops, and would be able to add influence in other areas such as play areas.
It was proposed by Councillor Brenton, seconded and
RESOLVED: That the NALC document be noted.
(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0, Abstentions: 0)
16. TO AGREE THE NEXT STEPS
Councillor Mrs Craigie asked whether a copy of the up-to-date Housing Needs Survey had been received. The Town Clerk advised there had been no response to date. The most recent document on the Torridge District Council website was dated 2012. The Town Clerk would contact again.
17. TO AGREE THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
Councillor Brenton proposed, and it was seconded and
RESOLVED That: the date of the next meeting would be arranged in early February 2019.
(Vote – For: 3, Against: 0, Abstentions: 0)
The business of the meeting having been completed, the Chairman thanked the members for their attendance and the meeting concluded at 2.45 pm.
