Maidstone Borough Council

Local Development Document Task and Finish Scrutiny Panel

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Reference from Council

Report of: Overview and Scrutiny Officer

1.           Introduction

1.1    To consider any policy implications from the Reference from Council: Petition calling on the Council to help protect the countryside around Wierton, Chart Sutton, Boughton Monchelsea and Greensand Way on the Core Strategy and associated documents.

2.      Recommendation

2.1        The Committee is recommended to review the attached reference from Council and consider the policy implications and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

3.      Background information    

3.1        At Council on 21 September a petition was presented in relation to protecting the open countryside. It was recommended that the Regeneration and Economic Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee consider the policy implications arising from the petition. On the 25 October at the meeting of the Regeneration and Economic Development met and noted of the importance of the countryside protection policies within the Character Landscape Assessment Document, Members agreed to refer the petition to the Local Development Document Task & Finish Scrutiny Panel to consider the policy implications arising from it.

4.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

4.1    Considering the policy implications from the Reference from Council, Petition calling upon the Council to help protect the open countryside and making appropriate recommendations should help to deliver the Council’s objectives for the Borough to be a decent place to live.

4.2    There are no risks involved in considering the reference from Council and making recommendations.