To consider the submitted report on the submission of the Torbay Local Plan to the Secretary of State.

The Council received the submitted report setting out the new Torbay Local Plan (a Landscape for Success) for submission to the Secretary of State as the final stage of preparation of the new plan.  A revised officer recommendation had been circulated prior to the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Cowell:

that in order to progress the Torbay Local Plan, the Council is recommended to agree the following actions:

a)    the Proposed Submission Plan be submitted formally to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination by the Planning Inspectorate;

b)    the Senior Service Manager for Strategic Planning and Implementation, in consultation with the Director of Place and the Executive Member for Strategic Planning, Housing and Energy, be authorised to agree minor editorial changes to the Proposed Submission Plan for submission to PINS;

c)    the Senior Service Manager for Strategic Planning and Implementation be given delegated powers to agree amendments to policy and related matters with the appointed Planning Inspector to facilitate the timely progression of the Independent Examination; and

d)    the Senior Service Manager for Strategic Planning and Implementation keep Members briefed on the evolving Examination timescales, and any issues emerging from the Planning Inspectorate’s initial assessment of the Submission Plan.

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried.