Statement of Community Involvement - Latest News

On June 13th 2007, a Public Hearing took place as part of the Independent Examination of the SCI. Members of the community including the Willowbrook Centre and Officers from Southwark Council took part in the hearing, presenting their cases in front of an Independent Planning Inspector.

The purpose of the Independent Examination is to evaluate if the Statement of Community Involvement is sound. According to the Government guidance sound may be considered within its ordinary meaning of "showing good judgement" and "able to be trusted", and fulfilling the expectations of legislation. The government has identified nine Tests of Soundness:

  1. In the preparation of the SCI, has the Local Authority complied with the minimum requirements for consultation as set out in the Regulations?
  2. Does the Statement of community involvement link with other community involvement initiatives e.g. the Community Strategy?
  3. Does the SCI identify (in general terms) which local community groups and other bodies will be consulted?
  4. Does the SCI identify how the community and other bodies can be involved in a timely and accessible manner?
  5. Are the methods of consultation to be employed suitable for the intended audience and for the different stages in the preparation of Local Development Documents?
  6. Are there enough available resources to manage community involvement effectively?
  7. Does the SCI show how the results of community involvement will be fed into the preparation of Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents?
  8. Has the local authority sufficient mechanisms for reviewing the Statement of Community Involvement?
  9. Does the SCI clearly describe the local authority's policy for consultation on planning applications?

In the next four weeks the Inspector will prepare a report recommending the the SCI is either adopted as it is now, amended to make it sound, or rejected because it is unsound. The Inspector's report will be final and binding in the sense that the Council will have to accept all amendments recommended by the Inspector.
In case the SCI is considered unsound, a new SCI will have to be prepared by the Council in consultation with Southwark residents and communities.

Last updated 21 June 2007

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