Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE INTERIM DIRECTOR – PLACE

To consider the examiner’s report and the proposed modifications to the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan and to agree that officers make arrangements to conduct a referendum within the designated neighbourhood planning area for Codicote. 

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Noted the Examiner’s report for the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan.

(2)   Approved the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan following the inclusion of the Examiner’s proposed modifications to the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan, as set out in Appendix A, and it was approved to proceed to a referendum.

(3)   Instructed the Counting Officer to conduct a referendum on the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To progress the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan, enable a referendum to take place and if more than 50% of those voting in favour of the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan to “make” the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan.

Audio recording – 19 minutes 58 seconds

Councillor Donna Wright, as Executive Member for Place, presented the report entitled ‘Codicote Neighbourhood Plan’ and advised that:

·       The Codicote Neighbourhood Plan was designated by Council in June 2014.

·       Codicote Parish Council submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to the Council in October 2024.

·       Following public consultation an independent examiner was appointed by the Council.

·       Details of the basic conditions of the Neighbourhood Plan were highlighted in Appendix A.

·       A schedule of the modifications proposed by the examiner were set out Appendix B.

·       The examiner recommended this should proceed to a referendum to be held on 14 August 2025.

·       The Codicote Neighbourhood Plan was a Key Decision as it included the two district wards of Codicote & Kimpton and Knebworth.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Mick Debenham

Points raised during the debate included:

·       It was good to see how well parish councils and residents had worked with Officers to reach this strong proposal.

·       A referendum was the right way forward and it would provide residents an opportunity to give their opinions.

Councillor Donna Wright proposed and Councillor Mick Debenham seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1)   Noted the Examiner’s report for the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan.

(2)   Approved the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan following the inclusion of the Examiner’s proposed modifications to the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan, as set out in Appendix A, and it was approved to proceed to a referendum.

(3)   Instructed the Counting Officer to conduct a referendum on the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To progress the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan, enable a referendum to take place and if more than 50% of those voting in favour of the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan to “make” the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan.