Issue - meetings

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the report stating that the proposed changes to the adopted Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), were necessary to ensure adherence to the document to avoid legal challenge. The provision of physical consultation materials in publicly accessible places, alongside the use of public spaces to hold hearings, would not be possible given recent government guidance.

The proposed amendments were included in Appendix 1, which included that all consultation materials were to be viewed online and any hearings and examinations would occur through written presentation or video conferencing. These changes would ensure that the plan making process would be able to continue. The Committee was also asked to agree that the Head of Planning and Development be given delegated powers to make future changes to the SCI.

The Committee expressed concerns that whilst the need for these changes was understood, removing the general public’s ability to inspect physical documents should not occur for longer than necessary. It was requested that the SCI be placed as a standing item on the agenda to be reviewed at regular intervals by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee rather than give delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Development. Instead, in line with keeping the changes in place for as short a period as possible, the committee agreed delegated authority only to end the use of the temporary changes and revert back to the adopted SCI.

The Committee also requested that the Council make reasonable endeavours to provide hardcopies of documents to the public if requested.

Councillor English left the meeting of the Committee after the vote had been taken for Item 17.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The Maidstone Statement of Community Involvement Covid-19 Temporary Addendum May 2020 is approved for immediate publication;

2.  The Statement of Community Involvement be placed as a standing item on the agenda for the Committee, with the Head of Planning and Development granted delegated powers to reverse the changes proposed within the addendum to the adopted Statement of Community Involvement as soon as Covid-19 restrictions allow; and

3.  The Council would endeavour to provide paper copies to any resident when required.