The Group considered the report of the Director of Change, Planning an the Environment regarding the public consultation draft of the Statement of Community Involvement 2012 (“Statement”).

The Group were informed that following publication of the Agenda and representations received, there were proposed amendments to the Statement and these were circulated to Members at the meeting.

The Chairman felt it appropriate to consider and discuss each section of the Statement in turn and Members agreed.

1. Introduction

Members felt it was important to expand on why we are engaging with the community and the genuine ability for the community to influence the “big picture” and shape policy.

Officers proposed that there should be more reference to developers to ensure they also have an opportunity to engage at the early stages of policy making.

The proposed amendments by Officers to paragraphs 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 were agreed.

2. Key principles of community involvement

Paragraph 2.3 – Members raised concern that the list did not include the urban community or neighbourhood forums.  It was also felt appropriate that those who have identified a neighbourhood plan area should become statutory consultees.

Paragraph 2.4 – Members felt it was appropriate to add a further bullet point under this paragraph saying “providing an opportunity to shape an influence local plan policies and the geographical plan of future development”.

3. Maidstone Local Planning Policy Framework

Members asked questions of Officers regarding, inter alia, the database, data protection, clarification of minimum level, the methodology of how we consult and consistency.

4. Planning applications

Members made the following proposals:-

Paragraph 4.7 – add reference to Maidstone Borough Council where development briefs are being prepared.

Paragraph 4.8 - Insert a flow chart to illustrate the planning application process and include reference to the Planning Duty Officer and The Gateway.

Paragraph 4.9 – amend text to read ‘For major proposals, in many cases more than one meeting will be required. Once the principle of development proposal has been established, local ward members and local parish council members will be invited to take part in the pre-application discussions’.

Paragraph 4.10 – include reference to the Planning Duty Officer, The Gateway and the fee for the validation checking service.

Tables 4.1 and 4.2 – amend text to read ‘Where possible, speak at Planning Committee in line with the Council’s procedures constitution’.

Table 4.3 – query surrounding whether appeal decisions can be obtained directly from the Planning Inspectorate. Officer to check with PINS.

5. Glossary

Members made the following proposals:-

Café conversations – amend text to read ‘Informal engagement with the community at any an early stage in the plan making process to gain and understanding of local issues’.

Hard to reach groups – amend text to read ‘Groups of people who are traditionally more difficult to target during consultation exercises, for example the elderly, disabled and gypsies and travellers older people, gypsy and traveller communities and people with a disability.

Localism – amend text to read ‘An approach  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21