Last month Spelthorne Council published their Draft Statement of Community Involvement.

We welcome this opportunity to submit our comments on that Draft.

In drawing up this submission, we have taken advice from a specialist solicitor in the field of Public Law, and a leading QC in the field of Public, Planning and Environmental Law.

We refer also to a petition of almost 500 signatures from all corners of Spelthorne endorsing the overall purpose of this submission, as follows:

We, the undersigned, call on Spelthorne Council to start “working with” local communities without any further delay.

Many thanks to all who signed it, and who contributed to the KKG Fighting Fund

In summary:

*          The Draft Statement of Community Involvement does not go far enough to satisfy the requirements of the relevant legislation and guidance for community involvement

*          Consultation must be undertaken at a time when proposals are still at a formative stage

*          Consultation must include sufficient reasons for particular proposals to allow those consulted to give intelligent consideration and an intelligent response

*          Adequate time must be given for this purpose

*          The product of consultation (including the current consultation on the Draft Statement of Community Involvement) must be conscientiously taken into account when the ultimate decision is taken

These summary points are discussed in detail in the submission document. Click here to read it.

To read the Council’s Draft document, click here .