Issue - meetings

To consider and agree the publication of the Consultation Response document.

Jane Robinson, Local Plans Manager, presented her report setting out the results of the Staines Development Framework consultation.

The consultation looked at issues affecting the town and proposed options of how to address these.  Concerns had been raised by local residents and councillors about the height and massing of buildings in Staines and the consultation gave an opportunity for feedback on this subject.

Concern was expressed that the volume of information was likely to deter the public from reading the results of the consultation thoroughly and that a summary document drawing out key issues should be published with the consultation response.   The Staines Development Task Group had previously discussed this option but considered it best to publish all responses received in the interests of openness and transparency and officers had been concerned that they could be accused of editorial bias in producing any summary.

The Committee noted that there had been some technical glitches in publication of the document as part of the agenda pack and that these would be addressed prior to formal publication of the response document.   A request was also made that a quantitative data baseline was included to make the information more meaningful. 

The Committee resolved to agree publication of the consultation response document by the Strategic Planning Manager subject to minor amendments as discussed during the meeting and the provision of a summary document by the Staines Development Task Group, agreed by the Chair and Vice Chair of the Local Plan Task Group and Chair and Vice Chair of the Staines Development Task Group.

Reason for decision

The Consultation Response document is a factual account of what was expressed by those who responded. It is important for transparency that the document is published so that members of the public, especially those who participated, can see what was said and that the Council can incorporate these views into the next stage of the Framework’s preparation.

A summary of the document would be useful in providing an overview to the public.