The Decision needed: (The title of the decision or narrative of the decision needs to be self explanatory so it is clear what the decision is being sought)
Approval is sought from the Cabinet Member for the two draft MWDF site plan documents in order to allow the commencement of the consultation on the Mineral Sites Plan and Waste Sites Plan at ‘preferred options’ stage.
How the decision relates to BS4K and Corporate Objectives
The consultation documents will assist in two of the BS4K priorities, (1) helping the economy to grow and (2) putting the citizen in control.
Impact/costs and risks of proposed decision
The preparation of the Kent MWDF is a statutory requirement. Failing to expedite the plan making will have costs to Kent both directly (by failing to comply with the EU Waste Framework Directive and risk incurring infraction proceedings), and to the Kent economy by failing to give the minerals and waste industry the required policy support for their developments.
The consultation will generate interest from both stakeholders and Kent communities whose responses (including objections, letters of support and comments), will need to be processed and analysed to inform the next stage of the plan making process.
The costs of the consultation will be met from the MWDF team budget, and resourced by the MWDF team in E&E. The direct costs include printing a limited number of hard copies of the two main consultation documents for distribution throughout the Kent libraries and Gateways and preparing CDs containing the consultation documents for parish councils and other key stakeholder groups. There will also be a series of stakeholder meetings and ‘drop in’ sessions co-ordinated to co-incide with the consultation.
The main risks arising from the consultation are that some of the host communities for the proposed sites may generate high levels of objections and adverse media publicity.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: For Determination
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 31/12/2012
Decision due: 12 Dec 2013 by County Council
Lead director: Mike Austerberry
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Lillian Harrison, Minerals & Waste LDF Project Manager Email: lillian.harrison@kent.gov.uk.
Consultation process
A supplementary sites consultation at ‘options stage’ was held in late 2011, delaying the preparation of the preferred options of the two sites plans.
Notify all Members of the Council?
Yes they will be notified at the start of the consultation.
Consultees
Please state if there are any additional legal requirements to consult other than those stated in the Local Government Act 1999 - Best Value Duty.
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated regulations as well as the Localism Act 2011.
Aims and level(s) of consultation (KCC consultation levels attached)
To work towards finalising the Kent Minerals Plan and Waste Plan documents, complying with our statutory requirements for plan making. This is the second round of consultations on the mineral sites and waste sites at preferred options stage. The final round of consultations (planned for September 2013) will be at ‘pre-submission stage’ and will follow the examination in public of the Core Strategy.
The consultation level that best reflects this stage in Table 1 is ‘joint decision making’.
Key consultee groups
Minerals and waste industry, parish councils, district councils and environmental groups, Kent communities near the proposed sites.
Start and finish dates of consultation.
May 28th – 23rd July 2012
Equalities Impact Assessment included in the consultation documentation. Please state where this can be found.
It will be on the MWDF part of the kent.gov.uk website.
Date of publication of consultation outcomes and updated Equalities Impact Assessment
Consultation commentary report publication – target date early September 2012;
Updated Equalities Impact Assessment will be available from 28th May 2012.
Informing Only (Who and when)
Not applicable
Has the matter already been discussed by a Cabinet Committee? If not when will be it discussed by the Cabinet Committee and the date of the meeting
No – it is on the agenda for the first CC on the 11th May 2012
Is the matter referred to in your Business Plan or Medium Term Capital Programme?
Yes it is in the Business Plan for E&E
Which Members and electoral Divisions are affected by this proposed decision? Is it All Members?
Yes
Financial implications: Lillian Harrison, Minerals and Waste Planning Policy Manager, Phone: 01622 221602 Email : lillian.harrison@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 12/01879
Equalities implications: When adopted, the Kent MWDF plans will have a significant effect on communities living and working in all districts of Kent. They will identify specific sites and preferred areas for future mineral extraction and waste management uses. They will also establish the policy basis for the determination of all future planning applications for minerals and waste proposals up to the end of 2030.