At its meeting on 6 March 2019 the Executive Committee considered the development of a strategic planning framework for Gloucestershire to 2050 and beyond and RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the Council agrees to work in partnership with the five other local planning authorities, Gloucestershire County Council and the GFirst LEP to develop a broad strategic planning framework for Gloucestershire, to 2050 and beyond, via the preparation, for approval by Council, of a ‘Statement of Common Ground’.  

88.4           At its meeting on 6 March 2019 the Executive Committee considered the development of a strategic planning framework for Gloucestershire to 2050 and beyond and recommended to Council that it agree to work in partnership with the five other local planning authorities, Gloucestershire County Council and the GFirst LEP to develop a broad strategic planning framework for Gloucestershire to 2050 and beyond, via the preparation, for approval by the Council, of a ‘Statement of Common Ground’.

88.5           The report which was considered by the Executive Committee had been circulated with the Agenda for the current meeting at Pages No. 31-37.

88.6           The Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee proposed the recommendation, which was duly seconded, and it was  

                  RESOLVED          That the Council work in partnership with the five other local                              planning authorities, Gloucestershire County Council and the                                  GFirst LEP to develop a broad strategic planning framework for                               Gloucestershire to 2050 and beyond, via the preparation, for                                 approval by the Council, of a ‘Statement of Common Ground’.

To recommend to Council that it agrees to work in partnership with the five other local planning authorities, Gloucestershire County Council and the GFirst LEP to develop a broad Strategic Planning Framework for Gloucestershire, to 2050 and beyond, via the preparation of a ‘Statement of Common Ground’.

That it be RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the Council agrees to work in partnership with the five other local planning authorities, Gloucestershire County Council and the GFirst LEP to develop a broad strategic planning framework for Gloucestershire, to 2050 and beyond, via the preparation, for approval by Council, of a ‘Statement of Common Ground’.  

85.1           The report of the Head of Development Services, circulated at Pages No. 73-79, sought to update Members on the progress to date in respect of the creation of a strategic planning framework for Gloucestershire to 2050 and beyond and to make recommendations on the way forward on the preparation of a non-statutory Statement of Common Ground. The report asked for approval of the principle of all Statement of Common Ground partners (the six local planning authorities, the County Council and the GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)) cooperating to develop a strategic planning framework for the County on the basis of a Statement of Common Ground.

85.2           The Chief Executive explained that there was a proposal to work in partnership to develop a broad strategic framework for Gloucestershire; none of the proposals would take powers away from the Borough Council in terms of development management; however, it had been understood for a long time that it was sensible for partner authorities to work together to avoid potential conflict and, in broad terms, to speak with one voice across the County in respect of strategic planning issues. In addition to the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Leader’s Board for Gloucestershire considered that a Statement of Common Ground for the County would draw from existing and developing local plans and plan development processes to provide an agreed joined-up picture of growth within Gloucestershire; include the broad aspirations of partners for the promotion of growth within Gloucestershire; provide an agreed approach between all agencies to allow cooperation in delivery of plans and infrastructure; and improve strategic planning coordination, cooperation and communication to avoid potential conflict between plans and partners ensuring Gloucestershire could speak with one voice – this was important for government dialogue and associated funding bids. The project was at its early stages therefore the current report concerned only the principles of the project and further detail would need to be developed as the project progressed with additional reports being presented to individual local authorities and the GFirst LEP in due course. Final adoption of the Statement of Common Ground for Gloucestershire would need to be agreed by each constituent authority. In the first instance, the Leaders Board had felt it appropriate that all partner authorities signed up in principle to avoid a situation where a lot of work was undertaken only for one of the partners to decide it did not want to be involved.

85.3           A Member understood that it would take a while for the Statement of Common Ground to be agreed but she felt it should be clear that, at this stage, the Council was agreeing the principle of working in partnership and that the Statement of Common Ground, when it was prepared, would also be subject to approval by the Council. It was felt that this could be addressed by slightly rewording the resolution. In response to a query regarding the Council’s position going forward, the Chief Executive explained that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85