Issue - meetings

(1)       The Committee was informed of a decision taken by the Cabinet Member to approve KCC’s response to the consultation by Ashford Borough Council on the Chilmington Green Area Action Plan (AAP).

(2)       Ashford BC intended to submit the Chilmington Green AAP to the Secretary of State in October 2012 with an examination in Public in late 2012/early 2013. When adopted the Chilmington Green AAP would form part of Ashford Borough Council’s local plan and would guide the future development of the new neighbourhood. 

(3)       Such decisions now came before the Cabinet Committee, which would advise the Cabinet Member on the decision he should take.  However, the timing of consultations was determined by the District and Borough Councils and there was a minimum duration of 6 weeks. The EHW Cabinet Committee met every ten weeks and it would not always be possible to place a report about KCC’s proposed response on a Committee agenda that would allow the response to be made within the consultation window.

(4)               The Group Spokesmen, Mr Robertson and Mr Cowan, were therefore consulted by Mr Brazier about the Cabinet Member’s proposed decision to approve KCC’s response, and raised no matters that needed to be recorded on the Record of Decision.  The decision taken was attached as Annex 1 to the report.

(5)       RESOLVED that the decision taken be noted.