DECISION

1.    To note Appendix 1 of the report: Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Plan Final Report of Examination and Appendix 3 of the report: Referendum Version of the Neighbourhood Plan, and the Examiner’s recommendation that the plan meets the basic conditions subject to modifications being made, can therefore proceed to referendum, and that the referendum area should be the same as the designated neighbourhood area.

2.    To agree that Appendix 3 of the report: Referendum Version of the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum, with a referendum area that is the same as the designated neighbourhood area, in accordance with Schedule 4B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

3.    To note that under the Planning Policy Guidance on Neighbourhood Planning, the neighbourhood plan will have significant weight in the planning decision-making process for the designated neighbourhood area until the referendum can be held; and if the plan is successful at referendum it will have full weight in the planning decision-making process.

4.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 8 of the report.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding introduced the report which explained the background to the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Plan, which the Council was now required to make a decision as to whether it met the basic conditions and legal requirements. Officers’ view was that the Council agree with the recommendation that the neighbourhood plan meets the basic conditions subject to modifications being made and should therefore progress to referendum. Councillor Ahmed explained how the statutory basis of the planning system meant the Council had limited influence for some decisions. He explained that a referendum will follow for eligible voters should the Mayor agree the proposal.

Cabinet discussed the report. It noted that, whilst transfer of community assets was referred to in the Plan, this is not something the neighbourhood forum nor the Council are actively working towards at the current time.

The Mayor thanked officers and the lead member for their hard work. He agreed the recommendation in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note Appendix 1 of the report: Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Plan Final Report of Examination and Appendix 3 of the report: Referendum Version of the Neighbourhood Plan, and the Examiner’s recommendation that the plan meets the basic conditions subject to modifications being made, can therefore proceed to referendum, and that the referendum area should be the same as the designated neighbourhood area.

2.    To agree that Appendix 3 of the report: Referendum Version of the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum, with a referendum area that is the same as the designated neighbourhood area, in accordance with Schedule 4B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

3.    To note that under the Planning Policy Guidance on Neighbourhood Planning, the neighbourhood plan will have significant weight in the planning decision-making process for the designated neighbourhood area until the referendum can be held; and if the plan is successful at referendum it will have full weight in the planning decision-making process.

4.    To note the specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 8 of the report.