Content

Decision:
That the Executive approves the appointment of
the Portfolio Holder for Planning to the Thames Basin Heaths Joint
Strategic Partnership Board and the Portfolio Holder for Climate
Change and Environment as deputy appointee until the next review of
appointments to external organisations in 2027.
Reason(s):
It is important that the council has an appointee
to the JSP to represent the borough. Every ward overlaps with one or more of the following: the
Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (“the
SPA”), the SPA 400m exclusion zone, the SPA 4-5km zone (where
the impact of new homes must be mitigated), and 7km zone (where the
impact of larger residential schemes may need
mitigation).
The Portfolio Holder for Planning is the correct
councillor to appoint to the JSP for reasons of relevance, and
seniority to work with partner agencies to maintain the
long-term protection of the SPA.
Other options considered and rejected by the
Executive:
To appoint a member other than the Portfolio
Holder for Planning or not to appoint a councillor to the JSP at
all.
Details of any conflict of interest declared by
the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation
granted:
None.