Agenda item

The Planning Policy Lead Officer outlined a report regarding a Duty to Co-operate request made by Runnymede Borough Council, that Slough Borough Council sign a Memorandum of Understanding relating to future engagement on cross-boundary strategic planning issues. 

The Committee was reminded that Local Planning Authorities are required to produce Local Plans both to engage constructively and actively on planning matters that impact on more than one local planning area (the ‘Duty to Cooperate’) and to consider entering into agreements on joint approaches. It was noted that Runnymede BC did not adjoin Slough but had employment links with Heathrow and had kept Slough informed of the progress on their Local Plan.

The Runnymede Issues and Options Consultation concluded that  Runnymede BC could not meet its own identified needs for housing, traveller pitches and B8 storage and distribution and would take measures to see if other authorities could meet their shortfall. They had therefore contacted Slough in order that both parties address this through a request to sign a Memorandum of Understanding about future co-operation on Cross Boundary Issues.  Although Slough did not have cross boundary issues with Runnymede it was considered that a short Memorandum of Understanding  would still be helpful. This would record that whilst at the current time, neither authority was able to assist the other in meeting its unmet needs for housing, traveller pitches or B8 storage and distribution needs, in the future this position could change as a result of a material change in circumstances or as a result of each Council’s monitoring function.  It would further confirm that Slough BC welcomed Runnymede’s engagement in the Heathrow Strategic Planning Group and that it would work with the Authority on issues that may affect both Boroughs.

The Officer concluded that the proposed signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Runnymede will ensure that both Authorities had met the Duty to Cooperate in the preparation of their Local plans.

Resolved-

a)  That Runnymede Borough Council  be thanked for consulting the Council under the Duty to Cooperate;

b)  That Slough Borough Council agrees that neither party is able to assist the other in meeting unmet needs for housing, traveller pitches or B8 distribution needs;

c)  That delegated powers be granted to Officers to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in accordance with paragraphs 5.6 to 5.7 of the report.