The
Principal Planning Officer explained that the Duty to Co-Operate
was a statutory element of the Local Plan Review
process. This required Local
Authorities to seek input from relevant Authorities into the
creation of the Local Plans and Local Plan Reviews, with a focus on
strategic cross-boundary matters.
Statements of Common Ground were expected to emerge throughout the
Local Plan Review process and were likely to evolve as this
progressed.
The
Committee commented that it was unclear who had authority to sign
Statements of Common Ground. A report was requested to clarify the
issue.
In
response to questions from the Committee, Officers said
that:
·
Statements of Common Ground were designed to clarify
where Authorities agreed and disagreed on matters. Areas of disagreement between Local Authorities
were likely to be given particular
consideration by the Inspector during the Local Plan Review
examination process.
·
The minutes of meetings with other Local
Authorities, were to be made publicly available alongside the
Statements of Common Ground.
RESOLVED: That the proposed set of
cross-boundary issues and engagement activities to be undertaken to
ensure the Council complies with Duty to Co-operate in the
preparation of the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan Review be
noted.