Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Planning and Development.

1.    To approve the revised approach for procurement from the use of Scape Framework (as agreed by Council on 16th November), to use existing consultants (via routes to be agreed by procurement based on individual contract details) and use of provision of further support from council planning policy teams.

2.    To note that the £300k is to be funded from the Local Plan budget, which is split equally between Chorley, Preston and South Ribble Councils. Agree to the continue to release the additional approved funding of £300,000 to the Local Plan Budget as agreed by Council in November and for detailed approval of individual contracts via EMD.

Councillor Alistair Morwood, Executive Member (Planning and Development) presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which provides an update on the procurement process to provide additional support to the Central Lancashire Local Plan team and informs members on the reason for change in approach from that approved at Council on 16 November 2021.

Following approval to procure additional support via the Scape Framework, meetings were set up with Scape to identify suitable consultants to assist in this process; only one option was available. An initial outline cost proposal was received for this work which was above the level of support approved.

In addition, the Councils identified that the consultant suggested was potentially conflicted due to representing landowners in promoting sites through the Local Plan process. As such it was felt we could not continue down this route and an alternative approach now seeks to utilise existing consultants already supporting the plan process, along with policy officer support from the 3 councils, to progress the Local Plan to preferred options stage. It was still the aim to progress the plan to preferred options in 2022.

Decision:

1.    To approve the revised approach for procurement from the use of Scape Framework (as agreed by Council on 16th November), to use existing consultants (via routes to be agreed by procurement based on individual contract details) and use of provision of further support from council planning policy teams.

2.    To note that the £300k is to be funded from the Local Plan budget, which is split equally between Chorley, Preston and South Ribble Councils. Agree to the continue to release the additional approved funding of £300,000 to the Local Plan Budget as agreed by Council in November and for detailed approval of individual contracts via EMD.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the progression of the Local Plan in a timely manner.

Other options considered and rejected:

Alternative option previously approved by Council on 16th November was procurement of support via the Scape Framework. Following pursuit of this option, and discussions with each of the three Councils involved in developing the plan, it is felt this option was no longer appropriate.