South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum Application Form

Showing comments and forms 1 to 11 of 11

Support

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 59441

Received: 10/05/2022

Respondent: Dr Roger Sewell

Representation Summary:

It's really important to have local input to local planning decisions, and the Forum is a good way to organise that.

Full text:

It's really important to have local input to local planning decisions, and the Forum is a good way to organise that.

Object

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60331

Received: 26/05/2022

Respondent: Prof. Marta Zlatic

Representation Summary:

In the past, the Forum has misused its powers and members of the forum have failed to declare conflicts of interest when commenting about planning applications that directly concern them. Declaring conflict of interest in such cases should be mandatory. By misusing their powers and connections, members of the Forum who have been residents of Newnham for a long time and have had a chance to develop their properties in the past, have attempted to prevent new residents from exercising the same rights that they have enjoyed in the past.

Full text:

In the past, the Forum has misused its powers and members of the forum have failed to declare conflicts of interest when commenting about planning applications that directly concern them. Declaring conflict of interest in such cases should be mandatory. By misusing their powers and connections, members of the Forum who have been residents of Newnham for a long time and have had a chance to develop their properties in the past, have attempted to prevent new residents from exercising the same rights that they have enjoyed in the past.

Support

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60827

Received: 06/06/2022

Respondent: Professor Peter Landshoff

Representation Summary:

I support the creation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Plan. A great deal of work has gone into this over several years and the area has many features that make it unique in Greater Cambridge.

Full text:

I support the creation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Plan. A great deal of work has gone into this over several years and the area has many features that make it unique in Greater Cambridge.

Object

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60828

Received: 15/06/2022

Respondent: Anoymous S Newnham

Representation Summary:

Adding comment about past behaviour of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

As local resident and professional found it uneasy to accept influence Forum has shown intervening in planning process - abusing its powers.

Forum made of well established residents. Share similar backgrounds, and conservative views of built environment. A like minded group of friends who back each other up in objecting to others' planning applications.

An acting member of Forum, who was also a neighbour to a planning application I dealt with, rallied objections to application. Used same wording this member has dictated, to object. Forum also objected. Local Councillor who, for fear of losing electoral backing, had to call this case into committee.

In my view - Forum, with its current membership has not acted honestly, and there is no mechanism to monitor its actions, or to curb its actions.

As this term is coming to an end, suggest Council sees to it that the Forum reshuffles roles and address its actions with due care for all neighbours, whether they are included in Forum or not.

Full text:

I would like to add my comment about the past behaviour of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

As a local resident and a professional working with a Planning Service I found it uneasy to accept the sheer influence the Forum has shown in the past intervening in the planning process, and in a way - abusing its powers.

The self appointed Forum is made mostly of well established residents, most of them retired who have the (property) interest and time to invest in such an enterprise.

They share similar socio-economic backgrounds, and the same conservative views of the built environment.

As an agent I found out that the group is essentially a like minded group of friends who back each other up in objecting to others' planning applications.

In the manner of 'you'll scratch my back and I will scratch yours', an acting member of the Forum, who was also a neighbour to a planning application I dealt with, rallied the troops - so to speak, and emailed all his friends to object to the application. They all used the same wording this member has dictated, and in addition, published and signed an objection on behalf of the Forum, as a formal consultant in the process.

In addition, under these powers the member also reached out to the local Councillor who, for fear of losing electoral backing, had to call this case into committee.

In my view - this Forum, with its current membership who is looking to be reappointed, has not acted honestly, and there is no mechanism to monitor its actions, or to curb its actions.

As this term is coming to an end, I would at least suggest that the Council sees to it that the Forum reshuffles the roles and address its actions with due care for all the neighbours, whether they are included in the Forum or not.

Object

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60829

Received: 19/06/2022

Respondent: Dr Christopher Cox

Representation Summary:

The Forum’s conflict-of-interest procedures are too weak, and could be abused. If the procedures stay as they are, then I object to the proposed redesignation. I will gladly withdraw the objection if the procedures are strengthened as described in my full submission.

Full text:

From discussions with the Forum after a recent planning application, I understand that its conflict-of-interest procedures are currently as follows:

(1) A conflict of interest arises when a committee member’s property is included on the Planning Service’s Notified Neighbour List, or is itself the subject of the application.
(2) A committee member is required to declare a conflict of interest, and to abstain from voting on matters where they have a conflict of interest.
(3) Any conflict-of-interest declarations are recorded in the minutes.

I believe these procedures are too weak: the definition of a conflict of interest is too narrow; the restrictions after a conflict-of-interest declaration are too limited; and the procedures do not appear to have been published in full.

If the procedures stay as they are, then they could be abused, or a perception of abuse could arise. If either of these happens, then the Planning Service and the local community could both lose confidence in the Forum. On that basis, I object to the proposed redesignation.

I will gladly withdraw the objection if the Forum’s conflict-of-interest procedures are strengthened as follows:

(1) A conflict of interest arises in the following situations: (a) a committee member’s property is included on the Planning Service’s Notified Neighbour List, or is itself the subject of the application (as at present); (b) a committee member submits a personal letter of support, comment or objection to the Planning Service about an application; or (c) a committee member lobbies in a personal capacity about an application.
(2) A committee member is required to declare a conflict of interest (as at present).
(3) Any conflict-of-interest declarations are recorded in the minutes (as at present).
(4) If a conflict of interest arises, then the committee member should not take part in any of the Forum’s discussions about the application, and should not have private discussions about it with any other committee member.
(5) The Forum and the committee member should both declare the conflict of interest in any letters that they submit to the Planning Service about the application. (During our earlier discussions, the Forum indicated a willingness to include such a declaration in its own submissions.)
(6) The conflict-of-interest procedures should be published in full on the Forum’s website.

Support

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60830

Received: 06/06/2022

Respondent: Ms Veronica Spooner

Representation Summary:

I support the re-designation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

The forum has consulted widely with the local community since its inception. It has detailed knowledge of the amenities and character of the neighbourhood and takes a strong role in protection of the environment. It has detailed knowledge of the Local Plan and is extremely helpful when residents have concerns about development and planning issues. The forum has been open and responsive to criticism and worked hard to reflect the views of the community.

Full text:

I support the re-designation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

The forum has consulted widely with the local community since its inception. It has detailed knowledge of the amenities and character of the neighbourhood and takes a strong role in protection of the environment. It has detailed knowledge of the Local Plan and is extremely helpful when residents have concerns about development and planning issues. The forum has been open and responsive to criticism and worked hard to reflect the views of the community.

Object

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60831

Received: 18/06/2022

Respondent: Ms Anne Ghent

Representation Summary:

I am writing as a resident of Marlowe Road, Newnham. I am dismayed to read that a self-appointed, small group of individuals have attempted to assume a mandate to speak and represent the entire South Newnham community.
I find this deeply concerning. This is a group of unelected individuals who presume to represent the community – the majority of whom do not know of the existence of this forum, have not given assent to the constitution of the forum, and are not consulted on the matters this forum deems to opine on.
• I re-iterate, this is group of self-appointed individuals.
• This forum has no right to speak for me nor have they a right to speak for the entire community, as they have not been appointed by the to do so
• Any group that is intended to represent the community at large
o must be elected
o must ensure it is fully transparent
o must abstain from bias, and campaigns promoted by self-interest
o must ensure full, open and fair representation of ALL local points of view

I have no confidence whatsoever that this forum would adhere to the above principles of operation and for these reasons I oppose in the strongest way, any proposed resignation of this forum.

Full text:

Having been unsuccessful in my multiple attempts to submit my comments on the website, please accept my comments submitted by email instead.

I am writing as a resident of Marlowe Road, Newnham. I am dismayed to read that a self-appointed, small group of individuals have attempted to assume a mandate to speak and represent the entire South Newnham community.
I find this deeply concerning. This is a group of unelected individuals who presume to represent the community – the majority of whom do not know of the existence of this forum, have not given assent to the constitution of the forum, and are not consulted on the matters this forum deems to opine on.
• I re-iterate, this is group of self-appointed individuals.
• This forum has no right to speak for me nor have they a right to speak for the entire community, as they have not been appointed by the to do so
• Any group that is intended to represent the community at large
o must be elected
o must ensure it is fully transparent
o must abstain from bias, and campaigns promoted by self-interest
o must ensure full, open and fair representation of ALL local points of view

I have no confidence whatsoever that this forum would adhere to the above principles of operation and for these reasons I oppose in the strongest way, any proposed resignation of this forum.

Object

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60832

Received: 18/06/2022

Respondent: Professor Mary Margaret McCabe

Representation Summary:

I have been unable to load comments on the website about the proposed redesignation of the Newnham Neighbourhood Group, so I record below my concerns about the plan. I am a Newnham resident, of Marlowe Road.

I have considerable concerns about this proposal, and register the following objection. Since this body is not elected, it has no mandate to speak for this community. Without ensuring, by means that are duly democratic, that it properly respects and attends to different points of view and the interests of the wider community it should not be given the power to determine or to adjudicate policy. Nor should it be in a position to suggest that it somehow represents the community. We have elected councillors for this, and the role of any body, whether it is construed as friends of some particular area or as a residents' forum, cannot be other than consultative in a very limited way, and its role as such needs to be repeatedly assured and guaranteed.

Full text:

I have been unable to load comments on the website about the proposed redesignation of the Newnham Neighbourhood Group, so I record below my concerns about the plan. I am a Newnham resident, Marlowe Road.

I have considerable concerns about this proposal, and register the following objection. Since this body is not elected, it has no mandate to speak for this community. Without ensuring, by means that are duly democratic, that it properly respects and attends to different points of view and the interests of the wider community it should not be given the power to determine or to adjudicate policy. Nor should it be in a position to suggest that it somehow represents the community. We have elected councillors for this, and the role of any body, whether it is construed as friends of some particular area or as a residents' forum, cannot be other than consultative in a very limited way, and its role as such needs to be repeatedly assured and guaranteed.

Support

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60833

Received: 22/06/2022

Respondent: Cllr Cameron Holloway

Representation Summary:

I am writing to respond to the consultation on the redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

I support the redesignation of the forum. I have been extremely impressed by the huge amount of work that residents have put into the emerging plan for South Newnham. It's great to see residents so engaged with local issues and protecting the area's heritage and environment.

My main concern is about consultation. While the group have made significant efforts to consult, there are still a lot of residents within the South Newnham area who are not aware of the Forum, and have not been involved in its work. I believe that door knocking and leafleting will be important to reach as many people as possible and make sure that everyone in the local community is able to contribute if they want to.

Overall, however, I believe that the Forum is doing excellent work, and I look forward to seeing it progress. I therefore support the redesignation of the Forum.

Full text:

I am writing to respond to the consultation on the redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

I support the redesignation of the forum. I have been extremely impressed by the huge amount of work that residents have put into the emerging plan for South Newnham. It's great to see residents so engaged with local issues and protecting the area's heritage and environment.

My main concern is about consultation. While the group have made significant efforts to consult, there are still a lot of residents within the South Newnham area who are not aware of the Forum, and have not been involved in its work. I believe that door knocking and leafleting will be important to reach as many people as possible and make sure that everyone in the local community is able to contribute if they want to.

Overall, however, I believe that the Forum is doing excellent work, and I look forward to seeing it progress. I therefore support the redesignation of the Forum.

Support

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60834

Received: 24/05/2022

Respondent: Mrs Henrietta Ryan

Representation Summary:

I write to offer my strong support for the re-designation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Plan. Its goals are extremely important for the protection of our community, green spaces and building development and climate crisis concerns.

Full text:

I write to offer my strong support for the redesignation of the South Newnham Neighbourhood Plan. Its goals are extremely important for the protection of our community, green spaces and building development and climate crisis concerns.

Object

Redesignation of South Newnham Neighbourhood Forum May 2022

Representation ID: 60835

Received: 18/06/2022

Respondent: Anoymous S Newnham

Representation Summary:

Persons to whom this concerns:

I am opposed to the extension or redesignating the Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

They are a non-democratically elected group.

The contribution of this Forum to Newman life/extenison planning so far, is in my view, is questionable. Any extension of their influence unnecessary and probably unjust.

Full text:

Persons to whom this concerns:

I am opposed to the extension or redesignating the Newnham Neighbourhood Forum.

They are a non-democratically elected group.

The contribution of this Forum to Newman life/extenison planning so far, is in my view, is questionable. Any extension of their influence unnecessary and probably unjust.