Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report on the latest position in relation to the consultation undertaken on the Draft Core Strategy following the approval of the Draft Core Strategy for consultation purposes in October 2008.

It was reported that a variety of methods had been used to consult on the Strategy including letters and e.mails, use of a dedicated website, presentations to Parish Councils, displays in local libraries and the Customer Service Centre and “drop in” days. This had resulted in the receipt of approximately 120 individual responses and these were now being analysed and would be reported to the Working Party in due course. Although the level of response was not high this was not felt to be surprising as specific site allocations were not yet included. 

It was also reported that the Government Office for the West Midlands had raised a number of concerns about the document particularly in relation to cross boundary issues with Redditch. Similar issues had been raised in relation to Redditch Borough Council’s Draft Core Strategy and a meeting with both Councils had taken place on 9th March 2009. It had been stressed at the meeting that officers and Members from the two Authorities had worked well together, particularly in view of the difficulties regarding the lack of certainty on housing growth. It was not intended to submit the final Strategy until the outcome of the Examination in Public of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy was available.  

It was felt that a peer review of the Core Strategy would be helpful in particular if it was undertaken by the same person who had recently carried out a similar review at Redditch.  

RESOLVED  that the latest position on the consultation process in relation to the Draft Core Strategy be noted.