Issue - meetings

Background:

This report outlined the process and responsibilities in preparing Neighbourhood Plans. It provided an update on the current position regarding the five Neighbourhood Plans in preparation in Medway. The report sought to clarify and formalise the Council’s governance process in decision making on policies that would form part of the Council’s Development Plan.

The report explained that Neighbourhood Plans had been introduced through the Localism Act 2011 and were considered to be one means of encouraging wider participation of local communities in planning for the future of their local areas. Once adopted, or ‘made’, the Neighbourhood Plan, formed part of the Development Plan for the local planning authority, which also included the adopted Local Plan. The Development Plan formed part of the Council’s policy framework.

Reasons:

To provide a clear governance process to support the preparation and adoption of Neighbourhood Plans in Medway.