At its 22 Oct 2015 meeting, the Scrutiny Committee agreed some recommendations to Cabinet regarding the Botley Supplementary Planning Document ( SPD). Committee can only recommend to Cabinet; it’s Cabinet’s responsibility to make the final decision.
Scrutiny recommended four things:
First, investigate the responses (from experts who should know about these things) that point out possible issues of lawfulness. One is from Mike Gilbert about how the SPD is based on the unadopted Local Plan 2031 rather than the current Local Plan 2011. The other is from Prof Riki Therivel about the lawfulness of the Sustainability Appraisal that didn’t have robust evaluations of realistic alternatives. The aim is to reduce risk of Vale being found liable for an unlawful, unsound decision.
Second, use the reported problems with the consultation process as learning points in a review of the Statement of Customer Involvement to remedy problems and improve.
Third, committee supports the inclusion of sheltered accommodation for the elderly on the Botley Centre site.
Fourth, assess the SPD for internal consistency (so that it doesn’t contradict itself) and also that it is consistent with existing policies, such as the Design Guide 2015.
That was a win for the people of Botley. Well done to everyone who contributed to that effort.
Next Step: Cabinet
At its on meeting on Friday 30th October, I’ll talk to Cabinet about these things, plus a couple of other things that have come to light since the Scrutiny meeting.
The couple of other things:
First, Mace sent in a response to the consultation that was missed out and wasn’t included in the consultation 
analysis. They had some suggested changes, which of course can’t be considered now. Here’s a screen shot that shows how Mace considers this SPD to be written to support the emerging Local Plan 2031.
You can wee Mace’s whole response via a link to Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lqrsy651onano8t/Botley%20-%20SPD%20reps%20letter%20Mace.pdf?dl=0
Second, the consultants were told to include phasing of any development, so that vital services aren’t lost to local people for the duration of the construction. Consultants didn’t include this.
On Friday the 30th Oct 2015, Cabinet will make their best decision for the people of Botley, knowing what Scrutiny has recommended. Probably they’ll ignore us. But that’s their right; they’re in control.