Making a Difference West Lindsey District Council How to Handle Localism in Plan Making Mark Sturgess Planning and Development Services Manager West Lindsey District Council

Making a Difference Who Am I? Planning and Development Services Manager for West Lindsey Corporate Lead for the Localism Agenda – not just planning Supporting the Neighbourhood Planning front runner (second wave) at Caistor in Lincolnshire Not got all or any of the answers – want to promote debate

Making a Difference What is Localism? Not just about planning ≈About communities investing in their areas – time and money ≈Developing a shared vision for the area ≈Framework for managing community assets ≈Addressing wider community development issues How does it apply to planning? Where is the focus in terms of planning? Neighbourhood Planning – more questions than answers?

Making a Difference Localism in Local Government Government – transfer of power downwards beyond District councils to communities Not specifically defined – need to find our own way – hence “vanguard” and “frontrunners” Local government response – how do we handle services delivered at a more local level – closer to those affected What is “local control” –relevant to neighbourhood planning

Making a Difference Neighbourhood Planning Still uncertain ≈Parliamentary timetable ≈Amendments still being tabled ≈Regulations in August ≈How will area forums work ≈How are District councillors involved ≈How is “inclusivity” achieved ≈How is the capability of a community group assessed ≈How is the “LA duty to support” not defined in legislation ≈Legal requirements – SEA/EIA/Habitat regs.. ≈How do you organise a referendum? Is the uncertainty part of the Strategy?

Making a Difference What are some of the principal questions? 1.How do you define the appropriate “neighbourhood” to undertake a Neighbourhood Plan – especially where there are competing proposals from the same or overlapping areas? 2.How do you get the balance right between “supporting” and “leading”. Are planners pre-programmed to take the lead? 3.How do you see the “Neighbourhood Plans” in your areas being funded – what are the main options? 4.How do you see the “duty to support” – Handholding? Signposting? Doing the work for the community? Offering chargeable consultancy support or what? 5.How do you ensure “inclusivity” in the process?

Making a Difference Workshop