How to set up a Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
Local guidance (Cornwall)
In Cornwall, a parish or town council (the Qualifying Body) is ultimately responsible for preparing the neighbourhood plan.
A steering group is typically established to manage the work on behalf of the local council.
Your steering group should:
Operate under the authority of your local council
Clearly set out how it will report and make recommendations back to your council
Have agreed terms of reference that defines roles, responsibilities and decision-making
Tip: Use a sample terms of reference tailored to your area. Sample terms of reference
Membership of the steering group
Your steering group should include a broad range and representative mix of local people and organisations to ensure the neighbourhood plan reflects the whole community.
Your group could include:
Cornwall councillors
Town and parish councillors and local residents
Business owners, service providers and retailers
Representatives of local and national businesses
Housing organisations including those representing:
People on housing waiting lists
Homeless groups
Self-builders
Schools and colleges, health centres, nurseries and children's centres
Environmental groups
Police community support officers
Other community and voluntary organisations
For more detail on community engagement and forming a steering group, please see the national guidance:
Neighbourhood planning toolkit
National guidance (legal requirements)
Neighbourhood planning is governed by national legislation.
You must follow the statutory processes set out in:
The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (legislation.gov.uk) (as amended).
The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (legislation.gov.uk).
The full explanation of the legal requirements and the stages of neighbourhood planning is available in the national toolkit.
Neighbourhood planning toolkit
Local guidance
While the framework is set nationally we:
Support neighbourhood planning groups through each stage
Provide local data, mapping and evidence
Outline submission requirements and validation processes