Issue - meetings

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.