Archived decisions
APPENDIX 2
Hampshire County Council Cabinet 28 July 2003 Adapting to the Proposed Reform of the Planning System Report of the Director of Environment |
Item 5 |
Contact: Roger Lawes, ext 6743
1. Summary
1.1 The following decisions were taken:
That:
(i) the County Council welcomes the offer of a seat on the Regional Planning Committee and accepts same forthwith;
(ii) in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, the Director of Environment explores with SEERA and other partners a clear role for Hampshire in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of a South East Regional Spatial Strategy and relevant sub regional strategies, and reports back to Cabinet as appropriate;
(iii) the Chief Executive and Director of Environment work with local and regional partners with a view to influencing the emerging secondary legislation associated with the Planning Bill; and
(iv) the Executive Member for Community Development and Regeneration explores the opportunities to influence the new spatial planning regime through the community planning process and engages the Local Strategic Partnerships in the debate about the consequences of lifestyle choices.
2. Reason
2.1 The Planning Bill removes the statutory strategic plan-making function of the County Council. The time is therefore ripe to engage partners at both the local and regional level to ensure that a new role emerges for the County Council that reflects its status both as a service provider and the voice of the community on strategic matters. The challenge for the County Council is to find ways of demonstrating how it can use the energy and resources currently targeted at delivering the statutory plan-making process, both to influence and add value to the plan-making activities that will, in future, be largely vested in others.
3. Other Options Considered and Rejected
3.1 The option of not engaging in discussions and debate about the future role of the County Council in the light of the Planning Bill was rejected on the grounds that it would deny the County Council the opportunity both to influence the changes and to demonstrate innovative community leadership.
4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.
5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.
6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.
Approved by: ..................................... Date: ....................................