Issue - meetings
Change to Full Council meeting date
Meeting: 18/03/2026 - Council (Item 95)
Change to Full Council meeting date
Purpose:
To consider a change to the June Extraordinary Full Council meeting date.
Recommendation:
Council is recommended to agree to move the date of the 17 June 2026 Full Council meeting to 12 August 2026, at 6.00pm.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor Mike Evemy introduced the item and explained that the proposal was to change the date of the Extraordinary Full Council meeting from 17 June to 12 August at 6:00 pm. He advised that this change was requested to allow additional time for officers to complete work on the Local Plan following the Regulation 18 consultation, which had received over 2,000 responses and approximately 200 new site submissions. Councillor Evemy emphasised that the additional time would enable officers to prepare a robust plan for Regulation 19 consultation and for submission to the Planning Inspectorate, with the aim of achieving a sound Local Plan by 2027. He acknowledged the inconvenience of an August meeting but stressed the importance of ensuring the plan was robust and deliverable within statutory timeframes.
Councillor Mark Harris, in the Chair, asked whether the date change was requested by officers. Councillor Evemy confirmed that officers had advised the Council that additional time was needed to give the Local Plan the best chance of being found sound, and that the proposed date change would accommodate this without impacting the overall consultation timeline.
The Chair asked if there were any further questions for clarity. There were no additional questions.
The Chair sought a seconder for the proposal. Councillor Juliet Layton seconded the proposal and reserved the right to speak.
The Chair moved to the debate, no debate ensued.
Councillor Layton, who had reserved her right to speak then spoke in support of the recommendations, emphasising the need to follow officers’ advice and ensure the Local Plan was robust for Regulation 19 consultation and subsequent inspection. Councillor Layton highlighted the importance of giving officers sufficient time to meet deadlines and ensure the plan contained all necessary material for consultation and inspection.
The Chair invited the proposer, Councillor Mike Evemy, to sum up. Councillor Evemy reiterated that the proposed date change was intended to give officers sufficient time to prepare the plan, maximise the chances of it being found sound, and ensure timely consultation and submission to the Planning Inspectorate before Christmas. Councillor Evemy also noted that the proposed August meeting would still allow the Regulation 19 consultation to commence in the summer and run into September and October, providing ample opportunity for public engagement.
The Chair then moved to the vote on the resolution, which was proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Juliet Layton.
Voting record:
28 For, 1 Against, 0 Abstentions.