Decision details

Cabinet received a report of the Head of Planning and Development which set out details of the guide created by the Town and Country Planning Association and the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Councillor Stotesbury informed members that the new guide included case studies from councils’ local plans and showed best practice.  He explained that two of the case studies related to policies from Watford’s Local Plan.  The two policies were CC8.2: Sustainable Construction Standards for Non-residential Development and ST11.4: A Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Improvement Town.  As the council had been included within the guide it had been asked to endorse it.  The council would continue to align with best practice.  He urged members to endorse the guide.

Councillor Johnson commented that it was the recognition the council had been given by inclusion in the guide.  It was particularly pertinent of the eve of the start of the examination in public of the Watford Local Plan.  He encouraged residents to get involved in the examination and watch it online at www.watfordlocalplan.gov.uk. 

The Mayor welcomed the guide highlighting the council’s work in this area.   He thanked officers who had a very busy few weeks with the examination of the Watford Local Plan in progress.

Councillor Bell asked for assurance that the council would be taking note of the other areas covered within the guide.

The Head of Planning and Development advised that the Watford case study covered non-residential properties.  However, there were other policies within the Local Plan that covered residential properties, including drainage.

RESOLVED –

1.         that the endorsement by the council of the RTPI and TCPA report ‘The Climate Crisis – a guide for local authorities on planning for climate change’ as set out in the appendix to the report be approved.

2.         that the self-assessment undertaken in the guidance, the exemplar status this report provides, the good progress made by the Council and our commitment to continue to work towards mitigation to and adaptation of climate change be noted.