Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Planning and Development and Assistant Director – Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

To consider the proposed response to the public consultation.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve the proposed response to the consultation for submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) - formerly the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Resolved

(1)          That the proposed response to the consultation for submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) - formerly the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government be approved.

The Assistant Director – Planning and Development and Assistant Director – Growth and Economy submitted a report for Executive to consider the proposed response to the “creating a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc” public consultation.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Woodcock, Leader of the Labour Group, addressed Executive and reported that the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Scrutiny Panel, of which he was Vice-Chair, had raised concerns that integration and joint strategies might result in a loss of independence at all levels of planning decision making.

In response to Councillor Woodcock’s comments, the Chairman explained that a key driver of local government involvement in the process was to ensure that there was understanding at a national level that local planning authorities know their areas best and their responsibilities should not be removed or cut across.

On behalf of Executive, the Leader commended officers for their work on the response which officer a constructive approach to the Government’s project.

Resolved

(1)          That the proposed response to the consultation for submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) - formerly the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government be approved.

Reasons

A response has been prepared to the public consultation which seeks to reflect the Council’s priorities and those of the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision for approval for submission to DLUHC.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to submit a consultation response

There is no obligation on the Council to submit a response but one is recommended in the interest of influencing the Framework’s development at an early stage.

Option 2: To reconsider the content of the proposed response.

The proposed response has been prepared to best reflect the Council’s priorities but can be amended if required by Members.