Item 14 Clydeplan and Regional Spatial Strategy Governance Arrangements
West Dunbartonshire Council · 27 March 2024
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Council: 27th March 2024 _____________________________________________________________ Subject: Clydeplan and Regional Spatial Strategy Governance Arrangements 1. REASON FOR REPORT 1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek permission to formally withdraw from the Clydeplan Joint Committee and agree to transfer the responsibility for the development of a Regional Spatial Strategy to the Glasgow City Region Cabinet. 2. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Council agree: • To note the recommendation of the Clydeplan Joint Committee to transfer responsibility for the development of a Regional Spatial Strategy to the Glasgow City Region Cabinet; • To note Glasgow City Region Cabinet’s approval of the establishment of a new Regional Spatial Planning Sub-Committee to oversee the development of a Regional Spatial Strategy; • To note that approval of participation in any future Regional Spatial Strategy will be a future decision for West Dunbartonshire Council; • To formally withdraw from the Clydeplan Joint Committee and transfer requisition funding to Glasgow City Council as lead authority for the Glasgow City Region; • To the participation in the Regional Spatial Planning Sub-Committee • To confirm elected members, Councillor Lawrence O’Neill and Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, and their respective successors as Convenor and Vice Convenor of the Council’s Planning Committee, as representatives on the new Regional Spatial Planning Sub- Committee; and • Request an update be brought to Planning Committee on progress of the Regional Spatial Strategy within 12 months of the date of this report. 3. BACKGROUND 3.1 The Planning Act (Scotland) 2019 removed the need to produce a Strategic Development Plan and the adoption of National Planning Framework 4 on 13 February 2023 was the trigger for all strategic development plans and associated supplementary guidance issued in connection with them to cease to have effect. Page 1 ITEM 14
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Strategic Planning matters are now set out in National Planning Framework 4. The Planning Act (Scotland) 2019 has introduced the concept of Regional Spatial Strategies to provide a spatial representation of the key regional land use issues requiring to be addressed across a region identifying strategic development needs and priorities. Although non-statutory in nature (they do not form part of the development plan and will not have a status in planning decisions) they must be taken account of when a new Local Development Plan is being prepared. 3.2 Since 1996 the eight Glasgow City Region local planning authorities have worked together to develop a series of regional spatial plans, the most recent being the Clydeplan Strategic Development Plan (“SDP”), which was approved by Scottish Ministers in July 2017. It set out a Vision and Spatial Development Strategy until 2036, indicating where new development should be located and a policy framework that helps deliver sustainable economic growth through the creation of high quality development which seeks to reduce inequalities and enhances the quality of life in Glasgow City Region. The Strategic Development Plan also set the strategy and policy context for the individual local authority Local Development Plans. This is no longer extant since the introduction of NPF4, and has been replaced by the requirement to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy. 4. MAIN ISSUES Governance 4.1 Clydeplan has been governed by a Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee for the purpose of representing them in carrying out the functions conferred upon them under Sections 4 to 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. This Council has agreed the necessary resolution for giving effect to this Agreement and currently this Council has two appointed elected member representatives on the Clydeplan Joint Committee. Planning officers participate in the Clydeplan Steering Group and various sub-groups. Renfrewshire Council is the host authority for the eight Local Authorities and it provides Financial, Governance and HR functions for the Joint Committee on behalf of the Member Authorities. 4.2 The Clydeplan Joint Committee has previously agreed that work should be undertaken to explore the future governance arrangements for the performance of the functions undertaken by the Joint Committee particularly in relation to the new duty on local authorities in relation to strategic planning as part of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, to prepare a Regional Spatial Strategy. Unlike the current Strategic Development Plan, the Regional Spatial Strategy will not form part of the statutory Development Plan, which will now comprise the National Planning Framework and the Local Development Plan. Given these changes it was acknowledged that the role and remit for which the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee was originally established will significantly change and therefore the future role of the Committee required to be reviewed. Page 2
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4.3 The Joint Committee agreed to recommend this approach at its meeting on 24th January 2024, as did the Glasgow City Region Cabinet on 12th February 2024 to its members that the functions transfer to the Glasgow City Region, with Glasgow City Region Cabinet overseeing the development of the Regional Spatial Strategy. At the meeting on 12th February 2024, the Cabinet agreed to establish a Regional Spatial Planning Sub-Committee to discharge this function, subject to approval by the eight Local Authorities through their own local democratic structures. Appendix 1 contains the report presented to Glasgow City Region Cabinet. Permission is now sought from West Dunbartonshire Council to formally withdraw from the Clydeplan Joint Committee and agree to transfer this responsibility to the Glasgow City Region Cabinet. Proposed future approach 4.4 The report contained in Appendix 1 sets out the proposed approach to future collaboration, based on three fundamental principles: • A collaborative approach to regional spatial planning with all members being equal; • Integration with wider regional activity to maximise impact; and, fundamentally; • The need for local democratic accountability with no local authority being bound by any decision they cannot support. To achieve this, the new Sub-Committee will not have decision making powers, but will oversee the development of a Regional Spatial Strategy for the City Region. This will then be presented to the eight Local Authorities for consideration, with Cabinet simply noting the approved document, once it has been agreed by the eight Local Authorities. This ensures that approval sits with local democratic structures whilst collaboration is facilitated through regional ones. Under the new arrangements, West Dunbartonshire Council will remain accountable and responsible for all planning decisions within the area. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no personnel issues for this Council. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 This Council currently pays a requisition of £68,375 to support staff and associated costs with the operation of Clydeplan. For 2023/24 there was a reduction of the contribution by £15,000 and £25,000 for 2024/25. It is proposed that this funding is transferred to Glasgow City Council as lead authority for the Glasgow City Region to support staff and associated costs. Page 3
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This will be managed through regional structures with the Finance Strategy Group consisting of the 8 Finance Directors overseeing the budget and reporting to the 8 Chief Executives. The final budget for the new Regional Planning Sub Group will be approved by Cabinet on an annual basis. 6.2 Appropriate due diligence will be carried out by Glasgow City Council and Renfrewshire Council to ensure the transfer of assets. Any reserves will be returned to the 8 constituent authorities following conclusion of the process. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 It is clear that a sustainable future arrangement needs to be found which satisfies the desire for democratically accountable governance, generates efficiencies, develops a mutually agreed Regional Spatial Strategy and delivers on the new programmes devolved to regional level. Without regional planning there are key risks that local planning authorities will not co-operate on cross boundary issues or plan for growth on a regional basis, all to the detriment of individual Local Authorities and to the Glasgow City Region. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The proposal has been screened and as it is not relevant to any of the areas in term of EIA assessment, therefore no EIA is required. 9. Environmental Sustainability 9.1 A Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required. 10. Consultation 10.1 The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Strategic Development Planning Authority Joint Committee agreed to recommend this approach at its meeting on 24th January 2024, as did Glasgow City Region Cabinet on 12th February 2024 to its members that the functions transfer to the Glasgow City Region, with Glasgow City Region Cabinet overseeing the development of the Regional Spatial Strategy. The eight Local Authorities have been involved in discussions regarding the governance arrangements for Clydeplan and future governance arrangements for the Regional Spatial Strategy. 11. Strategic Assessment 11.1 The proposed development complies with the strategic priorities of the Council in particular: • Our Communities Resilient and Thriving • Our Economy Strong and Flourishing Page 4
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Pamela Clifford Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager Date: 27th March 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Pamela Clifford, Planning, Building Standards and Environmental Health Manager, Pamela.Clifford@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Tel no: 07774428221 Appendices: Appendix 1 - Glasgow City Region – City Deal Cabinet – Regional Spatial Planning Arrangements 12th February 2024 Background Papers: Equalities Impact Assessment Screening Wards Affected: All Wards Page 5