Issue - meetings

Portfolio Holder – Councillor Carole Jones

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) outlines how the Council will engage with residents, communities, stakeholders, and consultation bodies (both specific and general) throughout the planning process. It establishes the principles and methods for ensuring that consultations are effective, inclusive, and accessible to all, enabling meaningful participation in shaping the future of the Borough.

Keeping the SCI up to date is crucial to maintaining robust and effective community involvement at every stage of the planning process. An up-to-date Statement of Community Involvement helps to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, fosters transparency, and reduces the risk of legal challenges arising from inadequate consultation or outdated practices.

The revisions to the SCI include updates to how the Council plans to notify the public about planning applications. Additionally, the revisions address the recent approved changes to the public opening of the Town Hall, which was a document depository within the adopted SCI.

This report seeks approval from Executive to proceed with public consultation on the draft Statement of Community Involvement.

92.1.    Councillor Jones introduced the report, noting that the Statement of Community Involvement set out how the public would be notified of planning applications. It was proposed to change the way that people in flats were notified by introducing a notice on the entrance to the flats rather than individual letters which were often lost in communal mailboxes. It was also proposed that newspaper notices were used less frequently and that physical documents now be provided, when required, at Endeavour House, Grafton House, and Ipswich Library.

92.2.    Councillor Rudkin commented that some blocks of flats had multiple entrances which were habitually used by residents and so more than one notice might be needed.

It was RESOLVED:

a)            that Executive approves the Draft Ipswich Borough Council Statement of Community Involvement for public consultation (as per Option 1 of the report).

Reason: To fulfil its duty under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Council must prepare and maintain an up-to-date Statement of Community Involvement. Keeping the Statement of Community Involvement current is essential to ensure meaningful and inclusive community engagement throughout all stages of the planning process and ensures the Council complies with regulatory requirements.

b)           that Executive authorises the Head of Planning and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Museums, to make minor changes to the wording or layout of the Draft Statement of Community Involvement, prior to the start of the consultation period, provided that the changes do not materially alter the meaning of the consultation document.

Reason: Before the consultation period begins, officers may identify opportunities to improve the document’s wording or layout without affecting its substantive content.