Meeting documents

1 THE ISSUE

1.1 This report outlines the key areas of concern on the draft RSS and details the comments which it is recommended should be made on the draft RSS.

2 RECOMMENDATION

2.1 The Council Executive is asked to agree that:

1. The comments on the draft RSS set out in Appendix 1 are submitted to the Examination in Public Panel.

2. The comments on the draft RSS and the accompanying Strategic Sustainability Assessment and Implementation Plan set out in the report to the West of England Partnership Planning, Transport and Environment Group (attached as Annex 1 to Appendix 1) are endorsed.

3. That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members and Administration Group Leaders, is authorised to agree further comments on the Draft RSS (except in relation to the spatial strategy referred to in recommendation 1), the Strategic Sustainability Appraisal and Implementation Plan.

3

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1 No immediate budgetary implication as the work programmed is covered within existing budgets. However, there are long term implications for investment in social, economic, environmental and transport infrastructure in the District. Issues relating to the Council's capital and revenue funding of growth areas were outlined in the Report on the RSS considered by the Executive in January 2006.

4 THE REPORT

4.1 The draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) approved by the South West Regional Assembly in March of this year has been submitted to the Secretary of State, published and made available for public consultation for a period of 12 weeks from 6th June to the 30th August. The Council needs to submit its comments on the draft RSS during this period.

4.2 The Report attached as Appendix 1 outlines the key areas of concern on the draft RSS, focussing primarily on the spatial strategy as it relates to Bath & North East Somerset. Appendix 1 details the comments which it is recommended should be made on the draft RSS for submission to the Examination in Public (EIP) Panel. The report not only sets out the recommended spatial strategy for Bath & North East Somerset, but outlines other key comments that should be made. Key representations that the West of England Partnership will raise are also set out in Annex 1 to Appendix 1 and it is recommended they are endorsed. In addition the Report summarises the next stages of the RSS process and arrangements for the EIP.

4.3 Due to tight timescales it has not been possible to bring all detailed issues to the attention of Members on the draft RSS and the Strategic Sustainability Assessment and Implementation Plan that accompany it. In order to ensure any relevant further issues are raised during the consultation period, the Council Executive (subject to endorsement by full Council) is asked to agree delegated authority for the Chief Executive to agree further comments in consultation with the relevant Executive Members and Administration Group Leaders. This would not include comments on the spatial strategy as set out in Appendix 1.

5 RISK MANAGEMENT

6 RATIONALE

6.1 This report outlines areas of key concern and detailed comments that it is recommended should be made on the draft RSS.

7 OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED

7.1 None.

8 CONSULTATION

8.1 Executive councillor, other B&NES Services, Section 151 Finance Officer, Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer

8.2 Discussions with Council Leaders, the Executive Members for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport and Highways, Chief Executive, and officers from other services and other Councils.