The Senior Planner introduced
the report and noted that both the Council and Tunbridge Wells
Borough Council (TWBC) had worked closely through the duty to
cooperate (DtC) requirement. Following these discussions and the
creation of cross-boundary documents, the Statement of Common
Ground (SoCG), attached as Exempt Appendix 1 to the report, had
been produced. The general contents of a SoCG were
outlined.
The Senior Planner explained
that as TWBC was approaching their Regulation 19 Consultation, the
SoCG had to be approved before it commenced. Before the Council commenced its own Regulation 19
consultation, another SoCG between the two authorities would need
to be agreed.
If the Committee requested any
changes to the SoCG as shown in Exempt Appendix 1 to the report,
these would also need to be agreed by Tunbridge Wells Borough
Council.
The iterative process in
drafting a SoCG was highlighted, with further DtC meetings to take
place as the Council moved through the Local Plan Review
process.
RESOLVED: That the Statement of Common Ground between Maidstone Borough
Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, as attached at Exempt
Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.