(a) Update on planning issues following the abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategy, and plans for the development of Bromsgrove
(b) "Big Society" / "Localism"
(Items placed on the agenda at the request of the County Association of Local Councils)
Minutes:
At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr. M. Dunphy - Strategic Planning Manager - addressed the Forum and informed Members of the draft Core Strategy and the draft Town Centre Area Action Plan.
Mr. Dunphy referred to the former proposals in respect of the Regional Spatial Strategy [RSS] and housing allocation figures for the district stating that the RSS seemed likely to soon be abolished, and that the housing allocation determination would be determined at a local level, together with the strengthening of a number of housing related policies (for example, affordable housing and housing for an increasingly elderly population).
He added that relevant policies in the draft Core Strategy were mirrored in the policies contained within the draft Town Centre Area Action Plan which, in turn, builds on the Core Strategy and provides a lot more policy guidance and regeneration / development opportunities.
Mr. Dunphy also outlined the consultation process and provided details of events being promoted by the District Council as part of the consultation. Furthermore, he stated that he would be willing to make more detailed presentations to the parish councils upon request.
The Chairman added that the consultation period had been extended from the usual six week duration to twelve weeks and that responses would be encouraged from as many agencies and individuals as possible.
Mr. Dunphy and the Chairman then responded to a number of questions and comments raised by Members of the Forum; specifically in relation to Neighbourhood Plans, whether to continue work on Parish Plans currently being developed and issues relating to the RSS, housing need and the local housing allocation.
Local Democracy Week
At the invitation of the Chairman, Ms. R. Dunne - Senior Policy Officer - addressed the Forum and informed Members of arrangements for Local Democracy Week, running from 28th February until 5th March 2011. She added that Democracy Week was one of the projects being promoted as part of the "Big Society" proposals put forward by the Coalition Government, initially having arisen from an overview and scrutiny task group exercise conducted by the District Council into 'Community Involvement in the Democratic Process'.
Among the recommendations was a suggestion to establish a Local Democracy Year to, for example, encourage people to seek to become a local Ward Councillor and visiting schools to inform and educate children and young people of the democratic process and how to get involved. Ms. Dunne stated that Local Democracy Week itself had been promoted as a focussed week in advance of the District and Parish Council elections. She also referred to a national Democracy Week, aimed at schools, which took place in October of each year but it was felt that this would be too far in advance of the elections in May 2011.
Ms. Dunne added that, as part of her role in promoting local democracy in its widest sense, she worked with schools, community and youth groups, volunteer groups, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust and other agencies, and would welcome the participation of the parish councils within the District.
Ms. Dunne then responded to several questions and comments from Members of the Forum.
Localism / Big Society
With reference to the Coalition Government's 'Localism' agenda, the Chairman stated that there was nothing definite to report at this stage and that further information was awaited from the Department for Communities and Local Government.
In terms of the Big Society proposals, the Chairman stated that the District Council was already, to a certain extent, promoting its own version of this and he quoted the Alvechurch Communities Together scheme and The Trunk at Charford (which had extended itself to include Sidemoor and Catshill) as examples where members of the public are taking more control. However, he stated that he was cautious about the Big Society suggestion, especially in terms of where funding would come from in the future.
The Chairman then responded to several questions and comments from Members of the Forum.