Decision details

(Time: 10.40am to 10.45am)

(Councillor Bob Johnston declared a personal interest in this item and in accordance with Standing Order 34, he remained in the meeting during its consideration.)

The Executive received and considered report 161/06 of the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer, regarding the Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report which was part of the Local Development Framework.  The Sustainability Appraisal was one of the Development Plan Documents. 

The first stage in the sustainability appraisal process was the production of a scoping report.  This was foundation of the Vale’s Core Strategy, providing background information together with a suggested assessment framework.  A draft scoping report had been considered by the Structure And Local Plan Advisory Group on 3 January 2007 and subsequently all Members of the Council were consulted on the document.  The report had been modified in response to comments made. 

Consultation on the document had to be undertaken with three designated environmental bodies: English Heritage, the Environment Agency and Natural England, and any other bodies or persons that the Council considered necessary.  Following any amendments arising out of the consultation the background information and the framework would be used to assess the sustainability of the Core Strategy.  A final report had to be produced to accompany the Core Strategy to submit to the Secretary of State. 

The Executive asked that the word “draft” was added to the document’s title before it was sent out for consultation and that a check was made to ensure the most up-to-date information was included.  Members also asked that a briefing was offered to new Members of the Council after the May 2007 elections on the Local Development Framework. 

RESOLVED

(a)        that the Draft Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report, as set out in the appendix to report 161/07, be approved;

(b)               that the public and relevant organisations be consulted in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement;

(c)               that authority be delegated to the Deputy Director (Planning and Community Strategy) to approve any further editorial changes; and

(d)               that a briefing be offered to new Members of the Council after the May 2007 elections on the Local Development Framework.