Issue - meetings

(CPP: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15 / CPT: 1, 2)

Purpose:  To report on community led planning within the district for 2010/11 year end.

Resolved that Members noted the actions in the report.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 29 July 2011, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 7) concerning progress with Community Led Planning within the District during 2010-11.

Councillor Pamela Bale in introducing the report stated that she had attended two recent events where she had been proud to represent West Berkshire Council due to the progress which had been made in respect of Parish Planning. A number of other authorities were struggling whereas West Berkshire continued to make progress and was committed to community planning. Councillor Bale confirmed that she had recently signed off the Beedon Parish Plan and a further two refresh of plans would be considered by Individual Decision over the next few weeks.

Parish Plan grants had helped to support ten communities with approximately £44k of grant being awarded for community schemes over the reporting period. Match funding was also available from the Vibrant Village Scheme and there were links to other funding streams such as s106 and the Rural Access to Services Programme (RASP).

Councillor Bale thanked Officers throughout the Council for taking account of Parish priorities within their Service Plans.

Councillor Graham Jones seconded the report with the amendment to paragraph 12.1 which should read “Executive” and not “Management Board”.

Councillor Alan Law also added his congratulations to the Parish Planning process which promoted pride within the community and he stated that West Berkshire was well placed already in the implementation of the Localism Bill.

Councillor Tony Vickers supported the process but felt that it worked better in rural areas than urban areas and he felt that this would be the same for the Localism Bill. He questioned wither a different process was required for urban areas. Councillor Bale responded that it was really dependent on the urban area in question. The Holybrook Parish Plan had been very successful and the Thatcham Vision had worked well. Councillor Law accepted that the process tended to work more effectively in rural areas as there tended to be some overlapping communities in urban areas.

RESOLVED that the actions set out in the report be noted.

Reason for the decision: This report forms part of the Performance Management Framework.

Other options considered: None.