​LONG STRATTON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Long Stratton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Terms of Reference

 

1. Area to be covered.

a. The area to be covered by the Long Stratton Neighbourhood Plan is the parish of Long Stratton and parts of the parish of Tharston as defined in the public consultation document.

 

2. Purpose

a. The main purpose of the Long Stratton Neighbourhood Steering Group is to oversee the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan for the designated area in order that this will then progress to Independent Examination and a successful community referendum and ultimately be adopted by South Norfolk District Council to become planning policy.

b. The Steering Group will engage the local community to ensure that the Plan is truly representative of the ambitions of residents of the defined area. The Group will maximise support for the approach taken in the Neighbourhood Plan by ensuring high levels of community engagement throughout the plan-making process.

 

3. Principles

a. That the Steering Group will undertake the process in a democratic, transparent and fair fashion, encouraging widespread participation and giving equal consideration to opinions and ideas from all members of the community

b. All decisions made shall be fully evidenced and supported through consultation with the local community.

 

4. Roles and Responsibilities

In order to achieve this, the Steering Group will carry out the following roles:

 

a. Be accountable for steering and providing strategic management of the Neighbourhood Plan for the defined area.

b. Produce, monitor and update a project timetable;

c. Produce a consultation and engagement strategy, showing how the public will be involved throughout the process;

d. Regularly report back to both Parish Councils for endorsement of decisions taken;

e. To undertake analysis and evidence gathering to support the plan production process;

f. Identify sources of funding;

g. Liaise with relevant authorities and organisations to make the plan as effective as possible.

h. Gather data from a wide range of sources to ensure that the conclusions reached are fully evidenced and that the aspirations and issues of residents are considered;

i. Consult as widely and thoroughly as is possible to ensure that the draft and final NP is

representative of the views of residents;

j. Agree, subject to ratification by both Parish Councils, a final submission version of the Long Stratton Neighbourhood Plan;

 

5. Membership

a. The Steering Group will be made up of a cross-section of volunteers from the community, including Parish Councilors. 

b. Membership of the Steering Group will be open to the public up to a maximum of 10 members.

c. Each member will sign the Parish Council Declaration of Acceptance of Office form. 

 

6. Decision Making

a. The Steering Group has full delegated authority from the Parish Council to deliver its plan-making functions up to and including publication of the Consultation Draft Plan. 

b. The Group will report monthly to the Parish Councils setting out progress on its work.

c. The Parish Council will approve the Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan prior to publication for consultation and independent examination.

d. The plan-making process remains the responsibility of the Parish Council as the qualifying body.

e. All publications, consultation and community engagement exercises will be undertaken by or on behalf of the Parish Council with appropriate recognition of the Parish Council’s position given in all communications associated with the project.

 

7. Meetings

a. Steering Group meetings will take place regularly.

b. Where possible, all meetings should be held within the Parish. 

c. The dates of future meetings will be made publicly available via the Long Stratton Neighbourhood Plan websites.

d. The Steering Group will elect a Chair, Treasurer and Secretary from its membership to remain in those positions until the project is completed. If these positions should become vacant, the Group will elect an alternate.

e. The Secretary shall keep a record of meetings and circulate minutes to Steering Group members in a timely fashion. Minutes shall be made publicly available on the parish councils’ websites.

f. At least 7 days’ notice of meetings shall be sent to members via email.

g. Decisions made by the Steering Group should normally be by consensus at Steering Group meetings. Where a vote is required each member shall have one vote. A minimum of 50% plus one members shall be present where matters are presented for decisions to be taken. 

h. A simple majority vote will be required to support any motion. 

i. The Chairman shall have one casting vote.

 

8. Working Groups

a. The Steering Group may establish working groups, made up of volunteers from the community to aid them in any Neighbourhood Plan related work.

b. Each working group established will have a lead person from the Steering Group.

c. Members of the community will be encouraged to participate in the process at all stages.

 

9. Finance

a. All grants and funding will be applied for and held by Long Stratton Parish Council, who will ring-fence the funds for Neighbourhood Plan work.

b. The Steering Group will have responsibility for its expenditure and will advise Long Stratton Parish Council of spending against budget.

c. Steering Group members and volunteers from any working groups may claim back any

previously agreed expenditure incurred during any Neighbourhood Plan related work.

 

10. Conduct

a. It is expected that all Steering Group members abide by the principles and practice of the Parish Council Code of Conduct including declarations of interest.

b. Whilst Members as individuals will be accountable to their parent organisations, the Steering Group as a whole is accountable to the wider community for ensuring that the Plan reflects their collective expectations.

c. The Steering Group will achieve this through applying the following principles:

i. Be clear and open when their individual roles or interests are in conflict;

ii. Treat everyone with dignity, courtesy and respect regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion and belief; and

iii. Actively promote equality of access and opportunity.

 

11. Changes to the Terms of Reference

a. This constitution may be amended with the support of at least two-thirds of the current

membership at a Steering Group Meeting. 

 

12. Dissolution

a. The Steering Group will be dissolved once its objectives have been attained.

b. The Steering Group will then dispose of any remaining funds held in accordance with any

c. conditions imposed by the grant funders and in the best interests of the defined area.

 

The aim of the Neighbourhood plan is for YOU to have YOUR say in shaping Long Stratton.