4. Who do we consult? 4.1.
There are certain organisations that the Council has a statutory duty to consult. When developing Local Plans, regulations state the types of groups that must be included in consultation processes. They are grouped into ‘specific’ and ‘general’ consultation bodies (See appendix 1).
4.2.
Specific bodies are those organisations the Council is required to consult on all planning policy documents. They include organisations such as the Environment Agency, Town and Parish Councils, health care providers and neighbouring local authorities. Utilities companies, Surrey County Council and other service providers such as the CCGs5 are consulted on all planning policy documents and, where necessary, planning applications.
4.3.
General bodies include voluntary groups, business interests and amenity groups who may be interested to find out how the proposed policy document may affect them. Unlike specific bodies there is no definitive list of general bodies with whom the Council must consult. The Council has a large database of organisations and community groups active in the Borough, which has been developed through previous consultation exercises. It includes amenity groups, conservation bodies, local residents’ associations, disability groups, business interests, landowners and developers.
4.4.
The Council will involve these organisations and groups in the preparation of relevant planning policy documents. We will endeavour to keep the database upto-date and will actively encourage other organisations to register their interest.
4.5.
In addition, the Council works closely with other local planning authorities, the County Council and other prescribed organisations with regard to strategic priorities and areas of common interest. These partnerships help us to meet our Duty to Co-operate, established by the Localism Act 2011 (which will remain in place until it is replaced by the new ‘Alignment Policy’ proposed in the Government’s planning reforms). The Waverley Community
4.6.
5 6
Waverley has a resident population of 126,600. There are also around 8,000 businesses6, and many local interest and residents groups. It is important to understand who the local community is in order to ensure that we engage and consult in the most effective way, and that the views received are representative
Clinical Commissioning Group Waverley's Economic Development Strategy 2018 - 2032