Statement of Community Involvement Consultation Report 2020 Contents Section 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3 Section 2: Consultation on the SCI ......................................................................................................... 3 Section 3: Consultation Responses Received ......................................................................................... 5 Appendix 1 Methods of Consultation .................................................................................................... 8 Appendix 2 List of Consultees .............................................................................................................. 10 Section 1: Introduction 1.1 The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how the community and other stakeholders will be consulted on local planning policy documents and planning applications. 1.2 Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are required to produce a SCI under Part 2 (section 18) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended). The Act defines a LPA’s Statement of Community Involvement as a statement of their policy for involving interested parties in matters relating to development in their area. Once adopted, the Council is required to comply with the principles and commitments made in the document. 1.3 The SCI seeks to ensure active, meaningful and continued involvement of local communities and stakeholders in planning. Southend On Sea Borough Council has revised and updated its SCI, and this was subject to a public consultation in December 2019/January 2020. 1.4 This Statement of Consultation sets out how Southend Council carried out its consultation on the SCI. The report explains how the consultation was promoted, how people were engaged and how information was made available for residents and other stakeholders. It also provides the results and issues raised during the consultation. Section 2: Consultation on the SCI 2.1 The Southend Council SCI was subject to a six-week public consultation from 16 December 2019 to 5pm on 27th January 2020. As part of the preparation of the South Essex Plan, an Addendum to the Southend SCI was also consulted on during the same period. The Addendum sets out how each South Essex Local Authority will undertake consultation on the South Essex Plan. A consultation report for the Addendum is provided in a separate joint document from the South Essex Authorities. 2.2 Although there are no minimum statutory requirements for undertaking consultation on the SCI, a six-week public consultation was undertaken in accordance with best practice. This provided residents, businesses and stakeholders an opportunity to have their say on how they can be involved in planning processes across the Borough. Consultation Material 2.3 The SCI consultation document was the main document prepared for the purposes of public consultation. This was available to view or download on the council’s website. 3 How we Consulted 2.4 The Council sent out emails to all consultees registered on its Local Plan consultation database. This included statutory consultees; a range of non- statutory interest groups; other stakeholders with an interest in the borough such as developers and employers, infrastructure and service providers; and also residents that had provided responses to earlier consultations or had registered to be kept informed. It was also available to view on the Council’s website and on its dedicated consultation portal. 2.5 Over 400 emails were sent to registered consultees and agents, notifying them of the consultation; identifying where copies of the consultation documents could be found and how additional information could be gained; and advising how comments could be made. A copy of the e-mail that was sent out to consultees is provided in Appendix 1. Who we consulted? 2.6 A list of people and organisations we consulted is set out at Appendix 2. Making Representations 2.7 The Council encouraged use of the consultation portal as this is the quickest and most effective method of responding. There were however a number of ways that people could make comments, and these included: • Online, via the consultation portal; • By email; or • On paper. Engagement 2.8 The Planning Policy Team was available throughout the consultation period to answer questions regarding the SCI consultation, over the telephone or by email. 4 Section 3: Consultation Responses Received 2.9 All comments received during this consultation have been processed and reviewed by the Council. Table 1 provides the comments received during the consultation along with the Council’s responses. Table 1: Representations to the Southend SCI Rep Section Rep Council Response No Port of London Authority (Mrs Helena Payne – Senior Planning Officer) 4167 Introduction The points raised within the Introductory section Noted. are noted. 4168 General The PLA requests to be consulted at each stage Noted. The Council Principal of of the development plan process and would will continue to work Planning encourage early engagement on matters relating with its partners and consultations to the River Thames, Transport, Industry and stakeholders. Biodiversity 4169 General The details relating to the planning policy Noted. Principal of consultation database are noted Planning consultations 4170 Supplementary Targeted engagement with the PLA is Noted. The Council Planning encouraged on SPD's and matters relating to the will continue to Documents River, its tributaries, riverside development consult the PLA. (including housing), use of the river, transport, biodiversity, air quality and industry matters. 4171 Neighbourhood If the River or PLA interests are included or Noted. The Council Plans and affected by any new and developing will continue to Development neighbourhood plans, the PLA must be consult the PLA. Orders consulted. 4172 Community It is unlikely that the PLA would have an Noted. Infrastructure involvement in CIL matters. Levy 5 4173 Planning The PLA must be involved in pre-application The Council Applications and/or consulted on planning applications consults the PLA on adjacent to, in close proximity to or in, on or over certain planning the River Thames. Developers will be applications relating encouraged to take into account the aims and to the River Thames. objectives of the PLA as set out within the The Council will Thames Vision and the PLA should be consulted continue to work on all matters relating to the River, Transport, with the GLA on Industry and biodiversity of the river. these matters. 4174 Independent The PLA is happy to work with the Local Noted. Planning Planning Authority providing pre-application Advice planning advice on development that affects the River Thames, and the interests of the PLA. Chelmsford City Council (Gemma Nicholson) 4175 Introduction Thank you for consulting Chelmsford City Support Noted. The Council (CCC) on the Southend Statement of Council will continue Community Involvement (SCI). The Southend to engage with Duty Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets to Co-operate out how the community and stakeholders will be Bodies in its plan consulted on local planning policy documents preparation. and planning applications. This Council considers that the SCI is clear and comprehensive. The consultation methods outlined for planning applications and Local Plan preparation is supported by CCC. It is also acknowledged that as part of the Joint Strategic Plan that a Part 2 SCI is also being consulted upon and will form an addendum to this SCI.CCC welcomes the opportunity to comment on this consultation. Chelmsford City Council will continue to actively engage with Southend on Sea Borough Council on each other’s respective Local Plans and other planning policy matters NHS England (Kerry Harding) 4176 Introduction Overall comment: Noted. As contained within the separate submission for the Thurrock CCG the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) welcomes a standardised approach across all South Essex Councils for Community Involvement 6 4177 How we All Councils within Mid and South Essex are Noted. The Council consult members of the Mid and South Essex STP will continue to work Strategic Estates Forum. Representation at these with its partners and meetings is critical to partnership working and stakeholders. building of relationships between health partners and local authorities. The STP aim to respond to all planning policy consultations jointly. Presentations should be provided by the relevant local authority/ies at the outset of each consultations to provide a clear understanding of the detail, intentions and implications of each document as part of a two way conversation to ensure robustness and sustainability 7 Appendix 1 Methods of Consultation Copy of the e-mail and letter that was sent out to consultees. Dear Consultee Statement of Community Involvement Addendum The six Local Authorities in South Essex (Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend and Thurrock) together with Essex County Council are currently working together to produce the South Essex Plan. This will set out a strategic framework for development in the area for the period up to 2038 and will reflect a broader vision to 2050. The South Essex Plan will provide an overall policy context for Local Plans. As part of the preparation of the South Essex Plan, a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) has been produced.