Cabinet:
1) APPROVED the ‘Planning Guidance for Applicants’ - Children’s Homes document;
2) DELEGATED to the Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services authority to make minor amendments to the guidance as required;
3) AGREED that a proactive approach is taken to engage with local and national partners to increase awareness of the need for local context and community cohesion to be taken into consideration when considering the suitability of locations for children’s homes in local communities;
4) NOTED that the Leader of the Council will be writing to Ofsted to express concern about their current approach and the absence of consideration regarding proportionality and concentration of children’s homes in rural communities;
5) REQUESTED that the policy position is considered as part of the Local Plan Review process.