Agenda item

The Chairman of Council, in his role as Member Champion for Neighbourhood Planning presented the report to Members.   The report requested Members to determine separate applications received from Normanby by Spital and Owmby by Spital Parish Councils to prepare their own neighbourhood plans for their parish areas only.

It was noted that such applications were normally dealt with under delegated powers but due to the level of public response from consultations on the applications it was agreed that this should instead be a matter for Full Council.

Normanby by Spital and Owmby by Spital Parish Councils had been working together on a joint neighbourhood plan covering both parishes. Although evidence base work had been undertaken, a first version of the joint NP had not been prepared.

Late last year the Council had become aware that the joint NP was having governance difficulties, and in May this year the Council received notification from Normanby by Spital Parish Council (PC) that it had decided to formally withdraw from sharing the joint neighbourhood plan with Owmby by Spital PC.  Instead, it had applied to the Council to prepare its own neighbourhood plan for Normanby by Spital parish only. Owmby by Spital subsequently did the same.

Public consultations on both applications had been completed. The Council was very much aware that the majority of comments were not in favour of the separate applications and that those residents would like to see work on the joint NP continue.

However, it was stressed to the Chamber that in determining such applications the Council legally could only take into consideration the appropriateness of the areas put forward. Both applications were for parish areas which were considered logical and appropriate areas to select in terms of the legislation.

Normanby Parish Council’s decision to withdraw from the joint NP meant that it could not continue.  The report recommended that both Neighbourhood Plan applications be approved and confirmation of the joint plan’s withdrawal be publicised on the Council's website.

Debate ensued and the Ward Councillor for both parishes addressed the meeting.  He considered the situation both disappointing and frustrating.  A joint plan made perfect sense considering the jointly shared assets across the two communities.  Working together should always be encouraged and usually brought about improved outcomes.  He outlined the work that had been done jointly across the Parishes resulting in a community space and children’s play area.  That being said, he recognised and had to accept the rules of Neighbourhood Planning legislation and reluctantly  moved the recommendation as he considered both parties needed to move past the current difficulties,  He placed on record his sadness that the community had not been heard and that their views were being disregarded.  Parish Councils had a duty to respond to the community wishes , so long as they did not conflict with the law, this had sadly not been the case for these residents.

Numerous Councillors spoke in similar vein, expressing concern at the lack of representation, and of the democracy deficit.   West Lindsey took no pleasure in passing such a recommendation but had an extremely limited role at this stage in the Neighbourhood Planning process.  Councillors took reassurance from the fact that for any Neighbourhood Plan to become effective it needed to be passed by a local referendum.  Every Member of the community would ultimately get to vote on any proposed plan.  For this reason, some commented the current approach was not only unrepresentative and undemocratic but a waste of time and money if it lacked public support.

Regardless of District Councillors’ views, it was clear that the authority had no powers to prevent the application for two plans.  The Neighbourhood Planning Officer outlined clearly what the District Council could and could not do and was clear that only the Parish Council could make such a determination at this stage.

The recommendation was seconded with regret.   Councillors across the Chamber urged the two communities to re-think their position, the decision this evening would not prevent the parishes from deciding to work together as they once had in the future.

In response to concerns around Parish Council’s who failed to represent their communities, the Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee reminded Members of the planned fourth tier governance review and undertook to include concerns regarding this area forward. 

Before moving to the vote several Members again expressed their dissatisfaction and concern at the lack of democracy in action but acknowledged the limited powers the District Council had in respect of such matters.

It was RESOLVED that : -

(a)     the applications by Normanby by Spital and Owmby by Spital Parish Councils, to have their respective parishes designated as separate neighbourhood plan areas for the purposes of producing their own independent neighbourhood plans be approved; and

(b)    the withdrawal of the designated neighbourhood plan area for the joint Normanby by Spital and Owmby by Spital Neighbourhood Plan be noted and advertised on the website.