Issue - meetings

An addendum to the report was circulated and published on the Council’s website prior to the Cabinet meeting. It included a version of the Officer’s report highlighting clarification wording to the first recommendation and certain aspects of the report requiring other clarifications or corrections. The Leader asked Matt Butler, Head of Policy & Spatial Planning, to ensure that the residents present at the meeting received a copy of the addendum. All residents present received a hard copy of the addendum at the meeting.

Matt Butler stated that the Old Oak Interim Neighbourhood Forum had submitted a letter expressing their concerns about the content and officer recommendations in the report and raising 38 points. Officers provided a response in writing to each of the 38 points raised, as part of the addendum.

The Hammersmith Society had also submitted a representation in support of the comments sent from Old Oak Interim Neighbourhood Forum in addition to other points (also included in the addendum).

Councillor Harcourt and Councillor Jones stated that the area applied for was made up of distinct uses and varied character that did not easily translate into a cohesive area for the purposes of a neighbourhood plan. Therefore, by designating a smaller area, the proposed neighbourhood planning forum did not have the required minimum number of forum members and should be refused.

The Leader stated that the Council was very supportive of neighbourhood planning and communities being involved and engaged in the planning process. He would be happy to open a dialogue with residents to find an alternative way.

The Leader proposed to meet up with Henry Peterson, adviser to the Old Oak Interim Neighbourhood Forum and Melanie Whitlock, Vice Chair, The Hammersmith Society, to discuss a way forward and bring a better alternative back to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

1.        To designate the area identified in green to be referred to as the Old Oak Estate Neighbourhood Area as a Neighbourhood Area and to refuse the designation of areas in red in Figure 2 on the report;

2.        To refuse the proposed neighbourhood forum due to insufficient members for the designated Neighbourhood Area.