Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Lead Member for Planning.

The Committee considered a report by the Lead Member for Planning in relation to the production and adoption of a Local Plan, in accordance with the Consequential Order for Dorset Council. 

The significance of accelerating the timetable to prepare a Local Plan by 2023 instead 2024, due to elections being held, was explained.  The Council would need to prioritise the new Plan over those plans which were currently being reviewed, and there was an imperative to retain an appropriate level of professional Planning Policy Officers to facilitate the creation and development of the Plan.  The importance of joint working with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was also highlighted.  It was noted that a report would be brought to the Cabinet of Dorset Council in due course with a detailed overview, assessment, gap analysis, staffing and costings to deliver the Plan for 2023.

Members supported the report and the approach, highlighting that the process would provide a guide for investment to enable the new Council to maintain control of its own destiny and have a sound Local Plan as early as possible. Although it was recognised that there was an inherent risk with not progressing with current plans which were under review, this was outweighed by the need to have a new Plan, and have an ‘emerging’ Plan in place. Support for ensuring appropriate staffing levels was also given. 

Decisions

1. That Dorset Council progresses with a Dorset Council Local Plan in line with the high-level project plan set out at the end of the Lead members’ report with the intention of adopting the Plan by April 2023.

2. That a member task and finish group be set up to oversee the work of the Dorset Council Local Plan, reporting to the Cabinet.

3. That all existing work carried out to date for current district local plan reviews be used where possible to shape the new Dorset Council Local Plan.

Reason for Decisions

To ensure that all the necessary work to produce the Dorset Council Local Plan was completed to enable adoption in Spring 2023.