Decision

The Cabinet:

Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Plan in conjunction with the Chief Executive, to carry out the operational and administrative decisions set out in Appendix 1.

Reasons for the decision

This report seeks Cabinet approval for a series of delegations to support preparation of the new Local Plan under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. The new plan-making system requires Local Plans to be prepared within a 30-month period and to progress through three statutory Gateway stages. To meet these requirements, the Council needs clear and timely arrangements for managing routine operational, technical and administrative decisions.

The report recommends authority is delegated to the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Local Plan, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to carry out the delegations listed in Appendix 1, to support efficient programme management and reduce the risk of delay, particularly in meeting the Gateway 1 deadline of 31 October 2026. It does not delegate approval of the two main statutory Local Plan consultations in June–July 2027 and May–June 2028, which will remain subject to Cabinet approval. Strategic decisions on the content of the Local Plan, including draft policies and site allocations, will therefore continue to be considered through the appropriate member decision-making process.

Alternative options considered

There is no effective alternative to delegating key aspects of plan-making if we are to produce the Local Plan within 30 months. Cabinet could choose not to agree one or more recommendations in this report or could propose an alternative delegation arrangement. In that case, a revised report could be brought back to Cabinet on any outstanding matters. However, this would increase the risk of not passing Gateway 1 by 31st October, which is the Government’s deadline for authorities that have withdrawn a plan under the previous system.

To not agree the recommendations, would create uncertainty over which elements of plan-making require Cabinet decisions. This would make it less likely that the Council could pass Gateway 1, as streamlined project management and governance arrangements are needed to maintain the 30-month programme.

Gateway 1 is a self-assessment, but the results are shared with MHCLG. Overall, this option would be likely to delay preparation of the Local Plan and increase the risk that it would not be completed within 30 months. The Government also has powers under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act to intervene to accelerate plan-making.