Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

No declarations were made.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Sue Helliwell spoke in relation to the development of the Alsager Neighourhood Plan, asking about the grant and officer support available.

To consider the closure of the Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme

That the Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme be closed.

The Cabinet Member considered a proposal to close the Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme.

The Neighbourhood Planning Team had been originally established to be self-funding through the receipt of Government grants.  At that time, the level of Government grant available also allowed the Council to set up a local Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme offering financial support to groups preparing neighbourhood plans.

In April this year, the Government had reduced funding to local authorities in respect of neighbourhood planning by 30% from £30,000 to £20,000 per plan.  This reduced funding meant that the Council could no longer provide direct support for neighbourhood planning and also provide the Grant Scheme without incurring additional costs to the base budget of the Council. 

There has been a low take up of grants, which was likely due to the investment the Council had made in direct officer support.  The officer support would continue to be provided.

There was one outstanding application for funding yet to be decided and it was proposed that this was dealt with under existing policy for the Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the Neighbourhood Planning Grant Scheme be closed.