Purpose

On 1 September 2026, Full Council approved the Tendring District Local Plan Review Submission Version for Regulation 19 consultation and noted that a final decision to submit the Local Plan to the Secretary of State would be required following that consultation. Council also noted the need for submission to take place before 31 December 2026 in order to proceed under the current plan-making system. The Service Level Agreement forms part of the practical arrangements necessary to support the examination process should the Council subsequently resolve to submit the Local Plan for independent examination.
Entering into the agreement supports the efficient management of the forthcoming examination and reflects established practice for local plan examinations.
The agreement is a standard Planning Inspectorate document used for local plan examinations and does not create legal relations between the parties. Inspector costs associated with examination of the Local Plan will be met by the Council in accordance with the arrangements set out in the agreement and budget provision made for the Local Plan Review process. No significant equality implications have been identified arising from this decision.

Decision

To enter into and sign the Service Level Agreement between Tendring District Council and the Planning Inspectorate relating to the examination of the Tendring Local Plan Review. The signed Service Level Agreement is attached to this decision.
The Service Level Agreement establishes the respective roles, responsibilities and arrangements between Tendring District Council and the Planning Inspectorate in connection with the submission, examination and reporting stages of the Local Plan Review examination process. The agreement provides a clear framework for liaison between the parties, the appointment and operation of the Programme Officer, examination procedures, hearing arrangements and cost recovery.

Alternative options considered

On 7th September 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced in Parliament that a review of the Local Government Reorganisation programme was commencing and that the decision made in March 2026 for Greater Essex (and other areas) had been withdrawn in light of new legal advice. Following this announcement, local authorities received correspondence from the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that until this review has concluded, Councils cease work on implementing the decisions that have previously been announced. The timetable for completion of the review is unknown at this time.
This decision is not impacted by MHCLG's request, as it relates to the Council's ongoing statutory responsibility to prepare and maintain an up-to-date Local Plan and to make appropriate arrangements for its independent examination. The proposed Service Level Agreement with the Planning Inspectorate supports the discharge of those existing planning functions and does not relate to, or prejudice, any future decisions regarding Local Government Reorganisation.