Purpose

This report sought approval for the delegation of authority to either the Director of Strategic Growth, or Head of Planning and Transportation, to agree and sign Statements of Common Ground (SoCG) on behalf of the Council. Statements of Common Ground are formal documents used within the planning system to record matters of agreement and disagreement between parties, particularly in the context of local plan examinations and public inquiries.

The Council was currently engaged in, several plan-making processes and infrastructure-related examinations and inquiries, including the forthcoming examination of the LocalPlan (Homes, Spaces, Places) and the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) public inquiry. These processes operate to strict statutory and procedural timetables and require timely officer engagement and sign-off. The Council’s Constitution is currently silent on delegated authority specifically relating to SoCG, which presents a risk of delay and inefficiency to those processes.

Decision

RESOLVED

(i)     Approval be given to the Statements of Common Ground attached in Appendix 1 (Draft Statement of Common Ground with Oldham MBC) and Appendix 2 (Statement of Common Ground with TransPennine Rail Upgrade); and

(ii)  Subject to and until future amendments to the Constitutional Scheme of Delegation, to delegate authority to the Director of Strategic Growth or in their absence, Head of Planning and Transportation, to negotiate, agree finalise and sign Statements of Common Ground on behalf of the Council in connection with:

(a)  Development plan preparation and examination by the Council and other LPAs with which TMBC has a relationship, including but not limited to, Homes, Spaces, Places, and the GM Minerals and Waste Plan; and

(b) Any Planning application, any major regeneration and infrastructure project and any appeals and public enquiries, including but not limited to, Section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and Transport and Works Act 1992 Orders.

Alternative options considered

•         Retain the existing position with no specific delegation.

•         Require all Statements of Common Ground to be approved by Executive Cabinet