URL: https://democracy.stratford.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4093

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Cowcher - Deputy Leader - Planning and Economic Development Portfolio   Consideration was given to a response to a Notice of Motion presented to Council on 13 October 2025 which recommended that the proposal put forward by the Motion be considered as part of the Council’s budget setting process for 2026/27.   The motion called for support for communities creating and updating Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP) by allocating a fund of £250,000 to fill the gap in funding arising from the end of Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government support for NDP’s and the maintenance of Localism throughout the District.   In receiving the report, The Cabinet noted that the Notice of Motion sought a budget of £250,000 which would be sufficient to provide funding of £8,000 to each of the 29 parishes with current made neighbourhood plans. This budget could be split across 2-3 years, thus resulting in additional budgetary pressure of £100,000 in 2026/27.   The options available to The Cabinet were to support the proposal and consider it as part of the Council’s budget setting process for 2026/27, to allocate monies to grant fund neighbourhood planning activities of parish councils by utilising existing Council reserves or not support the recommendations or the Motion.   Following which, it was             RECOMMENDED to Council:   (1)        That the proposal be considered as part of the Council’s budget setting process for 2026/27; and   (2)        That the Notice of Motion be supported.     Note: This item is not subject to call-in to OSC as it is a recommendation to Council.

Date of Decision: December 1, 2025