Agenda item

The Queen Camel Neighbourhood Plan Referendum

Meeting of District Executive, Thursday 3rd September 2020 9.30 am (Item 183.)

Decision:

RESOLVED:

That the District Executive:-

a) agreed the Examiner’s report and accepted in full her recommendations for Proposed Modifications to the Queen Camel Neighbourhood Plan.

b) agreed a modification to the explanatory text at paragraphs 3.2.12 and 3.2.13, alongside amending Policy QC2; and providing a definition of “infill” alongside to clearly align the amendments with the paragraph 12(6) powers to modify, along with express recognition that the Examiner’s recommendations have been accepted in full.

c) agreed to officers organising a referendum next year for local people on the Electoral Register. The aim of the referendum is to ascertain whether local residents want South Somerset District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Queen Camel to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.

d) delegated responsibility to the Director for Strategy and Commissioning to make any final minor text amendments to the Neighbourhood Plan, in agreement with the Queen Camel Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Reason:

To agree the Independent Examiner’s report and recommendations for Proposed Modifications; and to set out the process for ‘making’ the plan in the event that there is a favourable outcome to the local referendum to be organised by the District Council.

(Voting: Unanimous in favour)

Minutes:

The Clerk of Queen Camel Parish Council addressed members regarding the Neighbourhood Plan. He appreciated that this was a difficult decision for the district council and he thanked the authority for allowing the time to work with the parish council to find an acceptable compromise. On the basis that the Examiners modifications would be accepted, including removal of the settlement boundary in order to make the Neighbourhood Plan in conformity with the existing and emerging Local Plan, then provided the changes to the text as set out in the agenda report were made, then that would enable significant weight to be given to the Neighbourhood Plan prior to the Referendum.

The Leader introduced the report which asked members to agree the Independent Examiner’s report and recommendations for Proposed Modifications, and to set out the process for making the plan should there be a favourable outcome to the local referendum. She highlighted the specific recommendations and wording that members were being asked to agree. She congratulated the parish for the quality of work that had been undertaken. It was noted it would be very difficult to not accept the examiners modifications as there was no legal basis to do so. She reminded members that a referendum was unable to be take place until at least May 2021 due to Coronavirus restrictions.

The Specialist (Strategic Planning) acknowledged the comments and concerns of the parish, particularly regarding the settlement boundary, and noted the parish and officers had worked productively to reach the compromise. She felt the form of wording as detailed in the agenda report, had been taken as far as it was possible and external and internal legal advice had been taken.

During a short discussion members praised the parish for reaching the current stage of the Neighbourhood Plan, and one member provided a brief history as to how this particular plan had come forward.

Ward member, Councillor Mike Lewis, acknowledged there was local disappointment regarding the settlement boundary issue, and was fearful that when this Neighbourhood Plan goes to referendum that the local community may not be supportive.

There being no further discussion, it was proposed to approve recommendations A to D, and on being put to the vote, was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That the District Executive:-

a) agreed the Examiner’s report and accepted in full her recommendations for Proposed Modifications to the Queen Camel Neighbourhood Plan.