Issue - meetings
Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan – Post-Referendum Adoption
Meeting: 05/10/2022 - Council (Item 10)
10 Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan – Post-Referendum Adoption PDF 397 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1: Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan – Referendum Version, item 10 PDF 8 MB
- Appendix 2: Spitalfields Neighbourhood Area Map, item 10 PDF 3 MB
- Appendix 3: Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement, item 10 PDF 1 MB
- Appendix 4: Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan Examiner's Report, item 10 PDF 578 KB
- Appendix 5: Correspondence between Neighbourhood Forum and Council, item 10 PDF 324 KB
- Appendix 6: Equalities Impact Assessment Screening, item 10 PDF 191 KB
- Webcast for Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan – Post-Referendum Adoption
Decision:
DECISION
1. To note the results of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan referendums.
2. To agree not to adopt the neighbourhood plan as part of the development plan for the area.
3. To agree to set out the reasons for the above Recommendation 2 in a decision statement.
(Action: Ann Sutcliffe, Corporate Director, Place and Janet Fasan, Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer)
Minutes:
The Council considered the report of the Corporate Director, Place.
Councillor Kabir Ahmed moved and Councillor Harun Miah seconded a motion not to adopt the neighbourhood plan as part of the development plan for the area as:
· There was a high turnout amongst the business community and most respondents voted against the plan. The resident turnout, narrowly in favour, was far lower.
· The Mayor and the. Aspire group had ambitions and a transformative vision for Spitalfields and Banglatown. This would recognise the historic and cultural significance of the area and would preserve and enrich these aspects. It would guard against gentrification and commercialisation, which presented an existential threat to many in Tower Hamlets.
During discussion, the Council heard views from members in support of the motion which included:
· The proposed plan was exclusionary. The Plan’s designers had little regard for the cultural diversity of the area.
· The plan would interfere with the normal Council processes for planning applications, which ensured all stakeholders in the affected area are consulted.
The Council heard views against the motion which included:
· The result of the business vote should not be relied on as there were concerns regarding the legality of the business vote which were subject to investigation.
· The Council should not go against the will of residents, as evidenced by the result of the residents’ vote, which was in favour of the plan.
Councillor Maium Talukdar moved a procedural motion “that under Procedure Rule 16.5. the names for and against the motion or abstaining from voting be taken down in writing and entered into the minutes. The motion was agreed.
The Mayor and Councillors recorded their votes on the motion as follows:-
RESOLVED
1. To note the results of the Spitalfields Neighbourhood Plan referendums.
2. To agree not to adopt the neighbourhood plan as part of the development plan for the area.
3. To agree to set out the reasons for the above Recommendation 2 in a decision statement.