With reference to the meeting of Cabinet, 30 September 2019, Minute 33 refers, Council is recommended to:

(1)  approve the adoption of the revised Local Development Scheme attached to the report; and

(2)  subject to the approval of (1) above, agree that the revised Local Development Scheme comes into effect on the day following the date that the Council resolution is passed.

Council considered an item from the Cabinet meeting held on 30 September 2019 concerning the revised Local Development Scheme.

Resolved (60:0 with one abstention) - that

(1)   the revised Local Development Scheme attached to the report be adopted; and

(2)   the revised Local Development Scheme come into effect on 15 October 2019.

Councillor Anita Leech introduced a report by the Strategic Leadership Team that recommended that the Council approve revisions to the future timetable for the preparation of the Wirral Local Plan, as set out in the revised Local Development Scheme appended to the report which would replace the Local Development Scheme adopted by the Council on 6 March 2018.

The approval of the Local Development Scheme was a Key Decision requiring the approval of the Council.

The Cabinet was informed that it had become necessary to review the Local Development Scheme because of changes to the timetable for the Local Plan; the expanded scope of the Local Plan, which would now be produced as a single document, containing both strategic and non-strategic policies; and changes to legislation governing the review of Local Plans. The Cabinet on 17 December 2018 had resolved that a revised Local Development Scheme be submitted for approval by the Council once the amended future timetable had been determined (Minute 47 refers).

The revised timetable for the preparation of the Wirral Local Plan, set out within the revised Local Development Scheme, would contribute towards the delivery of a wide range of Wirral Plan pledges related to People, Business and the Environment and the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

There were no alternative options available for the Cabinet to consider as the national regulations required the publication of an up-to-date Local Development Scheme, as soon as possible after the information became available.

Councillor Leech reported that the Council was now pressing ahead with the Local Plan and Members had received updates and briefing sessions as matters had progressed. The report set out the time frame which was extremely tight but in line with the Secretary of State’s letter to the Council in January 2019.

Councillor Pat Hackett congratulated Councillor Leech and the officers on the hard work that had gone in to the production of the Local Plan, one of the Council’s big priorities. He informed that the Council was on course to meet the deadline laid down.

RESOLVED:

That the Council be recommended to:

(1)  approve the adoption of the revised Local Development Scheme attached to the report; and

(2)  subject to the approval of (1) above, agree that the revised Local Development Scheme comes into effect on the day following the date that the Council resolution is passed.