Dear all,

The date of the Neighbourhood Planning Referendum has been confirmed for Thursday 6th May 2021. There was some uncertainty about this due to COVID but the government have confirmed it will go ahead.

In advance of the 6th May, we are preparing a publicity campaign to explain what the Neighbourhood Plan is all about and the policies in it. As it has taken longer than we hoped to get to this point we will have many new residents and lots of other things have happened since we started. We will need your help to ask your fellow residents to vote Yes to the following referendum question;

Do you want the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to use the neighbourhood plan for the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Planning Area to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?

There is more information here in this link;
https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/council_and_democracy/elections__voting/Elections-and-Referendum-2021/IOD-neighbourhood-planning-referendum.aspx

Community Development Panel for the Isle of Dogs & South Poplar
This has been advertised on social media by the Council and us but the deadline to apply is tomorrow Friday in case you had not seen this.
There is a video from the Panels chair David Ubaka explaining it here
https://fb.watch/3JVQx9tYym/

Tower Hamlets Council is looking for 12 people to sit on a community development panel for the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar (the area to the south of Chrisp Street market) to review planning applications and planning issues. It maybe that it supplements or may replace the Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Planning Forum long term depending on how it evolves and whether it works or not, which will depend in part on the people who volunteer for this role.

It was a GLA recommendation in the Isle of Dogs and South OAPF in 2018 to set this up in order to better involve the community in the planning process and the Council are now moving forward on recruiting members.

This is how the GLA describe its role;
"As a crucial next step to allow continued dialogue between local communities and the construction industry, we are recommending the establishment of a Community Development Panel. This would consist of a group of local residents, with representatives from each of the main areas and would have a consultative function. We also recommend that the community development panel should be established as a matter of urgency to allow regular discussion of the ongoing issues relating to planning and development in the Isle of Dogs and to allow for improved feedback on future planning."

More details in this link and below
https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_events/Events/2021/January-2021/Join-the-community-development-panel.aspx?

Who can apply
If you live within the Isle of Dogs & South Poplar Opportunity Area – including Blackwall & Cubitt Town, Canary Wharf, Island Gardens and Poplar wards
• you work in the area
• you come to the area regularly
And have internet access

What skills or experience do I need?
The members of the Panel should have a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge. We’re looking for a broad cross-section of members drawn from across the community who:

• bring a strong understanding of the local area, the way it works, its history and its people
• can provide positive advice from a community perspective on proposals for development and change, and on the needs of existing and new residential and business communities
• will make confident contributions in meetings
• will collaborate and respect the contribution of others in Panel discussions
• are aware of the constraints and opportunities faced by the Council

These skills are preferred but not essential, and training opportunities will be provided. Members will contribute as individuals, not as representatives of any organisation or group.

How can I apply?
We will ask you to fill in a short application form once you’ve contacted Frame Projects. If shortlisted, we will invite you to attend a workshop with other candidates, before making a final selection. Applicants will need to be 18 or older to be part of the Panel.

How often will the panel meet?
We will need new members of the Panel to attend a selection workshop in March 2021, with the first meeting planned to start in April 2021. Panel members commit to attending monthly meetings on a Tuesday evening, and to reading background papers beforehand. Each member is appointed for a year to start with, and will have the opportunity to carry on being involved beyond that initial year.

What are the benefits?
We will provide you with the support needed for your role as a Panel member through free training. This might include help with reading plans and maps, understanding development proposals, or getting your views across in Panel meetings. Members also have an opportunity to influence how the Panel evolves. Additional support, such as travel expenses, will be available.

How can I get involved?
If you’re interested and want to find out more, please send an email to
community@frame-projects.co.uk
or call us on 020 3971 6168.
We’ll then send you a short application form to fill in.