Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 13 December 2016, Official Report, column 733, on the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, what steps he has taken to ask Birmingham City Council to consult the Royal Sutton Coldfield town council on the measures included in the Birmingham City Council Development Plan 2031.

Local planning authorities are required to prepare and comply with a Statement of Community Involvement throughout the preparation of a local plan. For Birmingham Development Plan this included consulting with resident associations and neighbourhood forums, parish councils and the general public, in addition to a list of other relevant consultees at the required stages to inform the production of a draft plan, to seek representations on that plan prior to it being submitted for independent examination and on modifications to the plan proposed during examination. Local groups and representatives also provided evidence to the Inspector as part of the examination process. The Inspector examining the Birmingham Development Plan confirmed that the council undertook widespread consultation and that the consultations met all the relevant legal requirements, including compliance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement. Notwithstanding this, I have written to Birmingham City Council to make them aware of the matters you have raised.