Gateway 1 Self-Assessment Summary - Project management and governance

Preparing a local plan is a complex process. It involves many people across the Council and from other organisations. Thinking early about how the work is planned, managed and signed off helps us monitor our progress and keep the work on track. It also helps us anticipate and manage any risks to us adopting the plan in accordance with our timetable.

An up-to-date Project Initiation Document, detailed project plan and risk assessment have been prepared to support internal project management and governance. Day-to-day project management is led by planning consultants AECOM working closely with the Planning Policy Manager. Regular oversight of the project is provided by the Local Plan Project Board (senior officers) and a Local Plan Progress Review Group (Members).

At the Member level, governance arrangements aim to maintain democratic oversight whilst achieving operational efficiency in the context of a challenging timescale.  

The Portfolio Holder will sign off timetable updates and the early consultation on Proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence before any decisions on the Local Plan are taken. 

Cabinet will take decisions on the content of the Local Plan later in the process. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee can call-in Cabinet decisions and, in practice, will normally have an opportunity to comment before the Cabinet decision.  All-Member Overview and Scrutiny briefings will be used at timely points in the process. 

Adoption (post-examination) must be by Full Council.