Along with Jo I would say that there is no specific requirement that I am aware of for 'State of the Parish' reports.
However, we have received a number and we advise our groups that they can be useful as a way of collating information around the 3 strands of sustainable development for them to then be able to identify the particular issues that they wish their plans amd policies to address, as well as helpinf Examiner's to see the formulation process.
Personally I find that they are for the same nature of reason useful in providing a more detailed overview for a screening process. We have specifically created a Request form though that is muh more clearly linked to the SEA Directive as requires the main topic/subject areas from the directive are listed and requires information to be provided around the nature, type and scale or development that they are proposing in their plans.
The figure within the PPG essentially duplicates that for SEA and local plan production, which of course is most tightly linked to the content of the SEA Directive, so this is the reasoning as to why it is identified at that stage.
Hope this provides slightly more information on the two elements and relationships with the neighbourhood planning process. If it is something that you are looking to develop or are considering how to integrate then the first element in terms of formulation processes may be the best way of thinking of things.
