Issue - meetings

Report of the Service Director, Economy and Enterprise is circulated

Cllr Brady presented a report which set out the next steps in the preparation of a draft Core Strategy for Wiltshire following consultation undertaken late 2009 on ‘Wiltshire 2026 – Planning for Wiltshire’s Future’.

The report proposed making the consultation responses available to Area Boards, outside of South Wiltshire. Taking into account the responses concerning Chippenham, including the petition presented at the last Council meeting, approval was sought to undertake a further public consultation exercise on the future development options for Chippenham.  Cabinet was also asked to establish a joint working party with Swindon Borough Council to consider issues relating to the west of Swindon.

The Leader welcomed the report. Referring to the forthcoming General Election, she asked Cllr Brady, working with officers to consider the impact of a change in Government based on the manifesto commitments of the political party in Government. She asked that the timetable be reviewed for consideration by Cabinet to take account of any change in direction as a consequence of the election result.  Cllr Brady explained that this point had been discussed particularly in relation to the implications on the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

a)                 note the overall outcome of the Wiltshire 2026 consultation exercise and approves feedback on the consultation responses to each Community Area Board (outside of south Wiltshire) during the forthcoming May/June 2010 cycle of meetings;

b)                 approve that a further public consultation exercise be undertaken on the future development options for Chippenham;

c)                 approve the establishment and operation of a joint working party with Swindon Borough Council to consider and advise on issues relating to the west of Swindon and other trans-boundary issues in accordance with details to be agreed between the Service Director for Economy and Enterprise (with membership being agreed in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing) and Swindon Borough Council subject to prior approval by the Head of Legal Services (Wiltshire Council); and

d)                 authorise the Service Director for Economy and Enterprise, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to review and update the timetable for the Wiltshire Core Strategy and make this available on the Council’s website at the earliest opportunity.

Reason for Decision

To ensure that progress continues to be made on the preparation of an up to date planning policy framework for Wiltshire in line with the Council’s statutory requirements.