Issue - meetings

That the following be agreed:

1)        the report of the Independent Examination into the Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan published on 22 July 2016 be accepted by the Council and that the modifications recommended by the Independent Examiner be made to the plan prior to a local referendum being held;

2)        the referendum version of the Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan, as modified in accordance with the recommendations following Independent Examination, meets the basic conditions and complies with the provisions of Paragraph 8 (1) (a) (2) of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by the Localism Act 2011). A statement to that effect will be published on the Council’s website as well as the ‘Referendum Version’ of the Plan; and

3)        a local referendum be organised and conducted on 8 December 2016 in the Shinfield Parish Neighbourhood area. This will allow all eligible persons that are registered on the electoral roll to vote on whether the Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan should be used by Wokingham Borough Council to help it determine planning applications (as well as other applications such as Listed Building Consent) in the Neighbourhood Area.

The Executive considered a report which included modifications recommended by the Independent Examiner to be made to the Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan prior to the holding of a local referendum.

The Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration commended Shinfield Parish Council for their effort and commitment into delivering the Neighbourhood Plan which had followed a very long process.  Councillor Ashwell highlighted the results of the independent examination and the comments that had come forward.  It was noted that the Neighbourhood Plan Referendum, which was the first in the Borough, would be held on 8 December.

Councillor Haitham Taylor, ward member for Shinfield South, hoped that the press would give the Referendum as much attention as possible in order to encourage people to vote.

RESOLVED That the following be agreed:

1)        the report of the Independent Examination into the Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan published on 22 July 2016 be accepted by the Council and that the modifications recommended by the Independent Examiner be made to the plan prior to a local referendum being held;

2)        the referendum version of the Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan, as modified in accordance with the recommendations following Independent Examination, meets the basic conditions and complies with the provisions of Paragraph 8 (1) (a) (2) of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (inserted by the Localism Act 2011). A statement to that effect will be published on the Council’s website as well as the ‘Referendum Version’ of the Plan; and

3)        a local referendum be organised and conducted on 8 December 2016 in the Shinfield Parish Neighbourhood area. This will allow all eligible persons that are registered on the electoral roll to vote on whether the Shinfield Neighbourhood Plan should be used by Wokingham Borough Council to help it determine planning applications (as well as other applications such as Listed Building Consent) in the Neighbourhood Area.