Purpose

This report will seek Cabinet approval to participate in, and help lead, a joint Thames Valley partnership with the Oxfordshire councils, Berkshire unitary authorities and Swindon to progress the pre-inception phase of work for a Thames Valley Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). The SDS is a new strategic planning statutory requirement and is intended to provide a high-level spatial framework setting the scale and distribution of growth, investment opportunities and supporting Place infrastructure across multiple local planning authority areas.

Decision

AGREED: That cabinet noted the report and:

i)             Approved the establishment of a partnership with the councils covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon to develop a statutory Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) for the Thames Valley area as detailed in the report.

ii)            Noted the draft indicative funding and resource allocations for the pre-inception programme

iii)           Agreed that Bracknell Forest Council will act as the accountable body for funds received/held on behalf of the partnership and will host any staff appointed for the Thames Valley SDS programme.

iv)           Agreed the interim governance and oversight, monitoring and assurance arrangements set out in this paper, including arrangements for the period before a statutory Strategic Planning Board (SPB) is established through secondary legislation.

v)            Delegated the detailed agreements and working arrangements for pre-inception development of the SDS to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Deputy Director of Law & Governance & Monitoring Officer.

vi)           Agreed to the working arrangements for development of the SDS.