What happens now? On Thursday 16th February 2017 there will be an official Referendum.
What is the question in the referendum? ‘Do you want Daventry District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Braunston to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’
Why is there going to be a referendum? To meet the requirements of the act of parliament (the Localism Act 2011) a neighbourhood plan can only come into effect if the electors of the area agree to it in a referendum.
Where will the referendum be held? As with all elections the polling station for Braunston will be the Village Hall. All registered electors resident within the boundary of Braunston Parish will be eligible to vote. As normal you will receive a polling card through the post.
What if I will be away on the 16th Feb or will be too busy or cannot get to the Village Hall? You will be entitled to a postal vote or to appoint a proxy to vote for you just as in any other election.
Who runs the referendum? Under the terms of the act of parliament Daventry District Council has responsibility for running the referendum. As usual they will staff the polling station and count the votes. The result will be declared soon after and the Plan will become law from the day after the result is declared.
Who has decided that the Braunston Neighbourhood Plan is lawful? This is the responsibility of Daventry District Council. They appointed a professional planning consultant to advise them. This person is independent from Daventry and Braunston and qualified in planning law. She stated that Braunston’s Plan, subject to rewording in a small number of sections, meets the conditions that parliament requires. DDC agrees with this.
Where can I read the Braunston Neighbourhood Plan? The final version, known officially as the Referendum Version is available on the website http://www.braunston.org.uk/. Paper copies are available in the Community Café and at All Saints’ Church.