Agenda item

The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services presented the report to the Committee outlining the future of neighbourhood planning support.  He noted that East Devon has historically been proactive in providing officer support to local communities.

However, the Government’s decision to withdraw the national support programme, which previously offered grants of up to £10,000 coincides with the anticipated depletion of the Council’s own neighbourhood planning reserve by 2026/27.  This creates a significant challenge in meeting East Devon’s statutory duty to provide advice, guidance and support for neighbourhood planning.

The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services emphasised the importance of continuing support, while recognising limited resources and proposed prioritising officer time on reviewing and updating of existing neighbourhood plans alongside sharing resources, digital tools and providing training.  The Committee were advised that, to help ‘re-launch’ neighbouring planning, officers will hold a half-day in- person event in the first quarter of 2026. 

The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services invited the Committee’s views on how best to ensure neighbourhood planning remains viable and delivers robust plans.

Questions from the Committee included:

·         Further clarification was sought on the effectiveness of sharing resources and whether officer support would be available for revising plans.  The Committee noted that support and guidance would be provided by the dedicated Neighbourhood Planning Officer and parishes would continue to be invited to attend webinars and in-person events to help understand what would be required.

·         Guidance was requested on what budget parishes should allocate for plan updates, noting that smaller parishes may face challenges in setting aside sufficient funds.  The Assistant Director - Strategic Planning and Development Services advised contacting the Neighbourhood Planning Officer as costs depend on the size of the community and its objectives.

·         There is a need to inform parish councils about the challenges facing the district council and, with the potential for a Devon-wide Local Plan in the future, the importance of having neighbourhood plans is now greater.

·         It was suggested that the first recommendation was too weak and should be reconsidered.

Committee debate included:

·         The importance of neighbourhood plans and continued funding for parish councils was highlighted, noting the high costs for smaller rural communities.  While acknowledging East Devon District Council’s budget constraints, it was suggested that some financial support should be provided.

·         It was suggested that the government may be seeking to reduce local influence on planning policy, indicating a broader move toward centralisation.

·         Support was expressed for the recommendations as written as it was suggested that costs for neighbourhood plans could be passed on to council tax payers.

·         Support was expressed for neighbourhood plans as it brings people together about local issues.

·         It was noted that councillors need more information on the role and benefits of neighbourhood plans, and how they can use their position to promote them.

·         Support was expressed for providing a dedicated funding envelope to cover costs associated with neighbourhood plans.

·         It was suggested that a report at the next meeting on how many parishes require funding would help assess cost implications.  The Chair clarified that, due to time constraints, the report would need to go to Cabinet or Overview and Scrutiny instead.

·         It was noted that, when funding neighbourhood plans, consideration should be given to the fact that town and parish councils can set their own precepts without limit.

·         Support was expressed to providing funding to town and parish councils, but it was noted they should cover the majority of the cost themselves as it will benefit them directly.

Councillor Jess Bailey proposed a further two recommendations, seconded by

Councillor Brian Bailey.

To read as follows:

4.         The Committee recommends the development of a grant scheme to provide financial support for the development of neighbourhood plans and requests a report back to the next Strategic Planning Committee.

5.         The Committee recommends to the Cabinet that an appropriate budgetary provision is made for the new grant scheme for the financial year 2026/27.

The Committee were supportive of the additional recommendations.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the changed context for neighbourhood planning in the light of the Government Spending Review with the cessation of access to grants and funding technical support for communities be noted and that the Chair be recommended to write to MHCLG to formally register this Council’s disappointment with the decision and urge reconsideration and/or consultation on an alternative support arrangement.

2.    That the 2026/27 budget be noted and prepared on the basis of a continuation of current neighbourhood planning support offered to communities in East Devon despite this impacting on the general fund.

3.    To receive an annual report on neighbourhood planning activity for information, noting that reports for decision need to continue to be taken to Cabinet until such time as the constitution is reviewed.

4.    The development of a grant scheme to provide financial support for the development of neighbourhood plans be recommended and a report be taken back to Strategic Planning Committee.

5.    The Committee recommends to the Cabinet that an appropriate budgetary provision is made for the new grant scheme for the financial year 2026/27.

RECOMMENDATION TO CABINET:

The Committee recommends to the Cabinet that an appropriate budgetary

provision is made for the new grant scheme for the financial year 2026/27.