🔍 Titled Balance: Who Should Be Accountable?

  • The Council’s Leadership Cabinet, which is responsible for setting and resourcing strategic priorities.
  • The Planning Policy Team, for managing the process (though often under resourcing constraints).
  • Full Council, if they failed to adopt or fund a timely review when warned.

⚖️ Why Accountability Matters?

Loss of Local Control

Increased Risk to Infrastructure and Communities
Without an up-to-date plan, housing growth may happen in places without the necessary roads, schools, or GP capacity — and the council cannot effectively coordinate delivery.

Legal and Financial Exposure

An outdated plan may increase the risk of:

  • Planning decisions being overturned at appeal.
  • Costly Judicial Reviews.
  • Loss of control over CIL/S106 infrastructure negotiation.

Impact on Public Trust

Residents may lose confidence in the council’s ability to manage development fairly and transparently — especially when speculative schemes are approved without strong local backing.