Agenda item

RESOLVED –

1.      That the feedback received on the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan Regulation 18 consultation (as summarised in Appendices 1 and 2) be noted.

2.      That the revised vision and objectives for the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan Regulation 18, incorporating changes recommended as a result of the consultation responses (Appendix 5) be endorsed.

3.      That the recommended changes to the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (Appendix 6) be agreed.

4.      That minor changes can be made to the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan Regulation 18 Consultation Feedback report and Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report by the Associate Director of Planning, Infrastructure and Economy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, prior to publication.

Cabinet received a report of the Spatial Planning Manager which set out the draft consultation report, following the consultation which had been undertaken in autumn 2022.

The Mayor acknowledged the work of the five local authorities in South West Hertfordshire over a number of years.  He invited Councillor Saffery to introduce the report. 

Councillor Saffery stated that it was sensible to work with the neighbouring authorities regarding demands and growth in the wider sub-region.   He advised that there were minor changes proposed to the Joint Strategic Plan.  At this stage they were high level principles.  Following this there would be a series of growth principles that would be discussed with colleagues in the neighbouring authorities.  It made sense to work together to address the challenges that faced the whole area.  He recommended the report for approval.

The Mayor noted the recommendations set out in the report.  He asked the Spatial Planning Manager how the plan had evolved following the comments received.

The Spatial Planning Manager informed Cabinet that there had been positive engagement.  There had been some move to digital engagement which had led to a younger demographic responding to the consultation.  Moving forward, the Joint Strategic Plan was separate the Local Plans currently in development, but it did feed into them.  He added that if the recommendations were approved, then the next steps would be to look at some key growth principles across Hertfordshire. 

The Mayor noted that the work was done in a spirit of collaboration, but asked whether there were any difficulties in the discussions.

The Spatial Planning Manager responded that the difficulty was due to government guidance and changes in planning.  There had been a move to sub-regional working and the South West Herts Plan put the local councils in a good place compared to many areas in England.  With regards to risks, Watford was a brownfield authority, unlike many in Hertfordshire.  There was limited land available, whereas the neighbouring authorities were primarily green belt.  The Joint Strategic Plan allowed the councils to recognise the differences and work more strategically; a continuous collaboration. 

Following the Mayor’s comments, the Spatial Planning Manager explained that as Watford had published its Local Plan it was in a good position, whereas others were still progressing their Local Plans.  The government had put forward more changes which led to uncertainty for those who had yet to adopt their Local Plans.

Councillor Watkin asked whether the lack of an adopted Local Plan would have an impact on progressing the Joint Strategic Plan.

The Spatial Planning Manager explained that if there were any cross boundary issues the local authority neighbours would need to address them, demonstrating if they could or could not meet them.  However, the duty to co-operate was still relevant.  For example, if any local authority could not meet their housing targets they would need to have a dialogue with their neighbours.

Councillor Watkin added that it was difficult at times to work together, but it was better to work together than separately.

Councillor Rodrigues noted that there had been a workshop with a local school and feedback received.  He asked if the feedback had been taken into account and how representative officers felt the feedback was of young people generally.

The Spatial Planning Manager responded that it was important to engage with young people.  They could be creative in their thinking.  Their priorities were different; they were forward thinking. For example, about sustainability approach, climate change or where they would live in the future due to homes not being built.  Many were proactive.  It was a different approach to an older demographic.  The issues filtered in to the Joint Strategic Plan as they should for a Local Plan.  One of the challenges councils faced was being able to engage with younger people.  The issue was finding a balance between everyone’s opinion.  It was necessary to consider “the town we would want it to be and not just the town we currently had”.  This applied to all the authorities.

The Mayor thanked the officer.  He commented that he often visited schools and there was fantastic input from young people.  A range of views were important.  The Mayor invited Cabinet to vote on the officer’s recommendations.

RESOLVED –

1.         That the feedback received on the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan Regulation 18 consultation (as summarised in Appendices 1 and 2) be noted.

2.         That the revised vision and objectives for the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan Regulation 18, incorporating changes recommended as a result of the consultation responses (Appendix 5) be endorsed.

3.         That the recommended changes to the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (Appendix 6) be agreed.

4.         That minor changes can be made to the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan Regulation 18 Consultation Feedback report and Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report by the Associate Director of Planning, Infrastructure and Economy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, prior to publication.