Issue - meetings

To consider agreement to undertake the procurement process for the appointment of a consultant to support the Council in its development of the Spelthorne Design Code.

The Committee considered a report from the Principal Planning Officer (Strategic Planning) on the procurement of a Consultant to support the Council in the development of the Spelthorne Design Code and were informed that having a Design Code was now covered by legislation and was a requirement for all Local Planning Authorities.

The Committee queried the ambitious timetable that had been set out and asked for reassurance that it would be adhered to. The Principal Planning Officer (Strategic Planning) advised that while they could not guarantee that the timetable would be achieved, they advised that any delays, and the reasons for them, would be communicated to Members. The Committee went on to ask about the funding for the project and were informed that government funding had already been secured for £45,000 and other bids were being submitted for all applicable funding streams.

The Committee asked whether there was scope for collective learning with other boroughs that were also working on Design Codes and were advised that Design South-East were setting up a group for South-East authorities and that Spelthorne would be part of that.

The Committee asked how the Citizens Panel would be formed and were advised that individuals would apply to be on the panel and would then be sent a questionnaire. The results would be anonymised and participants blind selected to ensure that a cross section of residents were appointed.

The Committee resolved to:

1. Note that a growth bid for £90,000 to assist with delivering the Spelthorne Design Code project has been submitted
2. Agree to undertake the procurement process for the appointment of a Consultant to support the Council in its development of the Spelthorne Design Code (in line with the draft specification as set out in Appendix A)

3.    Delegate permission to award the contract to the successful bidder to the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee and the Group Head of Pace, Protection and Prosperity and authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into a contract with the successful bidder.