1.        PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1     With the agreement of the Chairman, the results of the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan referendum held on 3 November 2016 are presented in this urgent update report.

1.2     Given the local support for the Neighbourhood Plan as demonstrated by the positive outcome of the referendum, and statutory requirements, this report sets out recommendations regarding the making of the Neighbourhood Plan

2.        INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2.1     Neighbourhood Plans have proved popular in Maidstone borough with fourteen currently being actively progressed. These are all at different stages of the regulatory process with the North Loose Neighbourhood Development Plan made, the Staplehurst Plan completing its referendum, and the Headcorn Plan at examination. Others are in varying stages of preparation.

2.2     Staplehurst Parish Council has spent approximately four years working on its plan, seeking local views and aspirations and working to ensure the Plan remains true to these values whilst also reflecting both local and national planning policy. This Neighbourhood Plan is the second to go through a referendum in Maidstone.

2.3     In November 2015 this Committee approved the Council’s response to the formal consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan under Regulation 16[1]. The response, along with all others received, was considered by the second appointed Examiner, Derek Stebbing, following the cessation of the original independent examination of the Neighbourhood Plan.

2.4     Mr Stebbing completed his Examiner’s report in August 2016, concluding the Plan was fit to proceed to referendum subject to some minor modifications. These were brought to this Committee for consideration on 13 September 2016. The resolution of this Committee was to accept the Examiner’s recommended modifications and to move to a local referendum on the Plan as amended to include the minor modifications suggested by the Examiner.

2.5     The referendum took place on 3 November 2016 as required by the Regulations[2] with the process being overseen by the Registration Services team. One polling station was used: Polling district YA – Village Centre, High Street, Staplehurst, with the official count taking place after the close of the poll.

2.6     The turnout for the referendum was 33.77%, with 92.56% voting ‘Yes’ to the question: “Do you want Maidstone Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Staplehurst to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”. The total number of votes cast was 1586; ‘Yes’ votes were 1468, ‘No’ votes were 118 and there were no void or rejected ballot papers.

2.7     When the outcome of a referendum is a ‘Yes’ the Regulations[3]  require that the Council must make (adopt) the Plan as soon as reasonably practicable after the referendum.

3.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

3.1     There is only one option available to this Committee which is to note the positive result of the referendum as set out in this report, and make a recommendation to Council at its meeting of 7 December 2016 to make the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan in accordance with the Regulations.

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1     The Committee is recommended to follow the option as set out in paragraph 3.1 above.

4.2     The Neighbourhood Development Plan has been independently examined, adjudged to meet the required basic conditions and be suitable to move to a local referendum. The decision to agree to the referendum has been taken by this Committee.

4.3     The result of the referendum illustrates strong local support for the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

4.4     The Regulations state that the Council must make (adopt) the Plan as soon as reasonably practicable after the referendum.

5.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

5.1     The Plan has been the subject of consultation during its development as required by the Regulations. It has reflected the views of local residents, stakeholders and the Council through its various iterations.

5.2     The Plan has been considered by this Committee on several occasions.

5.3     Views of residents and stakeholders were all taken into account as part of the independent examination of the Plan.

6.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

6.1     Subject to the agreement of this Committee, a recommendation to Council to make the Plan is the final stage in the plan-making process for this Neighbourhood Development Plan.

6.2     If agreed by Council, the Plan is made and will used in the determination of planning applications for the plan area.

7.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

8.        REPORT APPENDICES

The following documents were published with the original report and form part of the report:

·         Appendix A: Staplehurst Neighbourhood Plan (referendum version)

9.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

There are none