Agenda item

To review and propose any recommendations to the HGGT Stewardship Charter.

(1)  That the result of the consultation exercise and consequential amendments to the draft Stewardship Charter as set out in paras 3.1 to 3.11 of this report be agreed.

(2)   That the final Stewardship Charter, as set out at Appendix G be agreed.

(3)  That authority be delegated to the HGGT Director to make further minor amendments to the final Stewardship Charter as may be required and to update the Charter Foreword in the final version of the Charter in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee.

Kevin Steptoe, Garden Town Lead for the East Hertfordshire District Council and

Lead for Place-shaping and Engagement Workstreams, presented a report to the

Joint Committee on how the 5-Council partners should consider the approach to

be taken to ensure effective stewardship of the new communities created for the

Garden Town. In this respect stewardship comprised the inclusive, proactive, and

responsive planning, placemaking and care of new places. It was decided that

Stewardship Guidance should be produced, providing direction to landowners,

developers, community representatives and other stakeholders. This Guidance

took the form of the Stewardship Charter, of six high level principles that set the

expectations to achieve stewardship outcomes.   

The draft Charter was subject to public consultation in the latter half of 2023.

Feedback received during that consultation had been fully considered along with

other inputs impacting on the Charter as set out in this report. Following the

consultation a range of amendments had been made to the draft Charter

bringing it into a final draft. The Charter could now be agreed by the Joint

Committee.

The Joint Committee commented on the presentation:

·         Praise and endorsement were given for the work put into this report and the Chartership in general.

·         It was recognised what an important piece of work the Chartership was for future developments and the standard of houses delivered to residents.

·         It was mentioned that the Planning Authorities now needed to be robust when accepting development proposals, and whether those proposals were fulfilled.

The Joint Committee agreed the recommendations of the report.

     Resolved:

(1)  That the result of the consultation exercise and consequential amendments to the draft Stewardship Charter as set out in paras 3.1 to 3.11 of this report be agreed.

(2)   That the final Stewardship Charter, as set out at Appendix G be agreed.

(3)  That authority be delegated to the HGGT Director to make further minor amendments to the final Stewardship Charter as may be required and to update the Charter Foreword in the final version of the Charter in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee.