Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Planning and Economy

Purpose of report

To consider the outcome of the referendum on the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan and the next steps for the Plan to be formally ‘made’.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the referendum result of 21 March 2019 where 90.2% of those who voted were in favour of the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan which is above the required 50%.

1.2         To recommend to Council that it 'makes' the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan so that it continues to have effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for the District.

1.3         To recommend to Council that it approves the issuing and publication of a decision statement.

Resolved

(1)          That the referendum result of 21 March 2019 where 90.2% of those who voted were in favour of the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan which is above the required 50% be noted.

(2)          That it be recommended to Council that it 'makes' the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan so that it continues to have effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for the District.

(3)          That Council be recommended to approve the issuing and publication of a decision statement.

The Assistant Director – Planning and Economy submitted a report to consider the outcome of the referendum on the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan and the next steps for the Plan to be formally ‘made’.

Resolved

(1)          That the referendum result of 21 March 2019 where 90.2% of those who voted were in favour of the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan which is above the required 50% be noted.

(2)          That it be recommended to Council that it 'makes' the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan so that it continues to have effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for the District.

(3)          That Council be recommended to approve the issuing and publication of a decision statement.

Reasons

A referendum was held on the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan on 21 March 2019.  Of those eligible to vote, 1231 voted in favour of the Plan with 128 against.  The vote of 90.2 % in favour, meets the requisite majority and the Plan is now part of the statutory Development Plan.  The Council is still required to formally 'make' the Plan and there is no known breach or incompatibility with EU or human rights obligations which prevents this. The Executive is therefore requested to recommend the 'making' of the Mid Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan to the meeting of Council on 14 May 2019 which would be within the prescribed eight week period.

Alternative options

There is no known breach or incompatibility with, any EU or human rights obligations.  The Council has no options or alternatives to making the Plan.