Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 August 2017 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

The report provides an update on progress with Stockport Local Plan and SEMMMS Issues and Options consultation activity as of 8 September 2017.

The Working Party is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Darren Pegram on 0161-474-3171 or email:  darren.pegram@stockport.gov.uk.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on progress with the Stockport Local Plan and the SEMMMS Issues and Options consultation activity as at 8 September 2017.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The consultation on the Local Plan would continue until 8 October 2017.

·         There had been 63 comments received through the online consultation portal.

·         The community events held throughout the Borough had been well attended with each event attracting between 30 and 40 people with attendance growing at each subsequent event.

·         Attendance at the business workshop consultation event, however, was lower than anticipated.  It was suggested that consideration should be given to contacting some of the larger employers in the Borough directly to seek their engagement in the consultation.

·         Consideration should be given to holding a drop-in consultation event at Stepping Hill Hospital.

·         Following the conclusion of the consultation process, it was planned to bring a report to the Cabinet in November which would include an analysis of the comments received as part of the consultation.

·         The Stockport Connect electronic staff briefing could be used to promote a drop-in event for staff.

·         It was difficult to engage with the public over the Local Plan as there were no concrete proposals to consult upon.

·         There was an opportunity to use some of the positive feedback received through the consultation to encourage other members of the public to participate.

·         It was suggested that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Working Party in relation to the communications strategy for the Stockport Local Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer.

This report provides an update on the development of Neighbourhood Plans across Stockport, along with a projection of timescales for their development, where those are known.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Steve Johnson on 0161 474 3509 or email: steven.johnson@stockport.gov.uk

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the development of Neighbourhood Plans in Woodford and Marple along with a projection of the timescales for their development, where those were known.  It was further reported that approval had now been given to the establishment of a Neighbourhood Area for the High Lane area and that the High Lane Neighbourhood Forum was keen to progress their own Neighbourhood Plan.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         There were other locations within the Borough which were actively considering the establishment of Neighbourhood Areas.

·         A discussion took place in relation to the potential for conflict between Neighbourhood Plans and the Local Plan.  In response it was stated that the Council was working hard to ensure that the emerging Neighbourhood Plans complemented the Local Plan to reduce the potential for conflict.

·         The strength of Neighbourhood Plans lay in their ability to provide policies suited to a specific locality, such as a design policy tailored to reflect the local vernacular.

·         It was important to manage the expectation of what could be achieved through a Neighbourhood Plan.

·         Concern was expressed that Woodford and Marple Neighbourhood Plans were being developed during a period  of significant change and uncertainty about the direction of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

·         It was suggested that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Working Party in relation to the how the expectations of those groups trying to develop Neighbourhood Plans should be managed and how they could be fully engaged in the emerging Local Plan and developments with regard to the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To approve the date of the next meeting of the Working Party.

RESOLVED – (1) That the next meeting of the Working Party be held on 16 October 2017.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to develop a programme for future meetings of the Working Party in consultation with the Interim Chief Planning Officer.