7. Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
- a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) is a document that Councils are required to produce
- a SCI states who the Council will consult, when and how on applications and planning documents
- we believe that local knowledge can achieve the right development in the right place
- there have been changes to national policy, regulation and legislation since the Teignbridge SCI was adopted in 2011 and it therefore needs updating
The current SCI was adopted by the Council on 6 June 2019.
COVID-19 Addendum: Temporary Consultation Arrangements
1 June 2020
Updated National Planning Practice Guidance was published on 13 May 2020 to provide guidance on how local planning authorities should respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic when progressing local plans (see paragraphs 076-078). The guidance focuses on how local authorities can review and update their Statements of Community Involvement (SCI) in order to take the social distancing restrictions into account when consulting on their plans.
Where necessary, temporary amendments to SCIs should therefore be made, in accordance with the guidance, to allow plan-making to progress.
Paragraph 2.18 of the Council’s SCI sets out the various methods of engagement which could be used for consultations. In order to follow government guidance to help combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), some of these measures are not possible, particularly the availability of paper documents in public buildings and face to face engagement. Instead, local authorities are strongly encouraged to use online engagement methods, as well as take reasonable steps to ensure that sections of the community that don’t have internet access can be involved.
This Addendum therefore sets out the temporary consultation arrangements that will be in place whilst social distancing is required. The measures set out below will replace those in paragraph 2.18 in the main body of the SCI.
Temporary Consultation Arrangements
The following methods of engagement will be used for consultation:
- Availability of Consultation Documents – Paper copies of the Plan will be sent to town and parish councils. They will be encouraged to raise awareness locally of the consultation and make their paper copies available for those without internet access, whilst adhering to government guidelines on social distancing. All documents will be available on the our website. Paper copies of the Local Plan can be made available on request, for a fee.
- Email – Email notifications of the consultation will be sent to all registered consultees with email access.
- Letters - Letter notifications of the consultation will be sent to all registered consultees without email access
- Media Releases – News releases to local media will be published to raise interest and awareness via newspapers and online news sites
- Online Videos – Short videos will be published on the website, via social media and on YouTube to explain different parts of the plan
- Newsletters – Regular email updates to Teignbridge residents and businesses registered on the circulation list
- Social Media – Use of Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness online
- Virtual Meetings, Workshops and Focus Groups – These will be organised where appropriate to facilitate engagement with relevant parties
- Website – This will be the main source of all documentation we publish
Statement of Community Involvement
Statement of Community Involvement - note of officer decision