Decision details

Councillor Ranger presented a report setting out the current process for the delivery of the Garden Communities proposed in the draft Regulation 18 Local Plan, and seeking approval to establish a delivery company and to allocate funds to continue the delivery work.

Councillor Ranger said the object of forming the company, Uttlesford Garden Communities Limited, was to support whichever direction the Council took in delivery of the Local Plan, and to ensure the Garden City principles were adhered to. 

Councillor Dean said this proposal was the right way forward and would enable a robust approach.  What was proposed would support delivery of a strong vision for garden communities.  Part of this process was engaging with existing communities, not just new ones.  The Minister of State had said the first requirement was for a council to have strong community involvement, and to avoid omitting such involvement.  For example, residents at Cambourne had complained about the absence of footpaths in the development, but they had not been engaged in the process.  On this subject, Councillor Dean referred to a meeting he had had the previous week with three individuals who had wanted to be involved with the sports strategy, but had complained that they had been rebuffed.  There needed to be proper and respectful engagement with public sporting organisations in order to draw up the sporting strategy, and there should be a business plan in respect of investment in Carver Barracks.  He would be seeking a report to be submitted to Scrutiny Committee in March on progress regarding the sports strategy.

Councillor Rolfe said the work was being progressed with Active Essex.  Under this group were Active Uttlesford, Active Stansted, Active Thaxted and Active Dunmow.  There were a considerable number of possible schemes in terms of investment.  Whilst he fully took Councillor Dean’s point, he did not know whom he had met, but there was a great deal of engagement with the Active Uttlesford model.   

Councillor Lodge said he did not object to the setting up of a company but he was not sure what it could do that the Council could not.  There would still be money spent on consultants.  He questioned why this proposal had not come to the Planning Policy Working Group. 

Councillor Rolfe said the Planning Policy Working Group had already discussed governance, but this decision was for Cabinet as it involved establishing a mechanism for delivery of the Local Plan, and allocation of money. 

The Director of Finance and Corporate Services said Planning Policy Working Group was looking at the Local Plan, but this report was dealing with delivery, which would extend beyond the Local Plan period.  The decision was rightly one for Cabinet. 

Councillor Redfern asked where future reports on the company would be submitted. 

Councillor Rolfe said it was right that the Planning Policy Working Group should examine how the governance model developed, but that where money was involved, decisions would come to Cabinet and ultimately the Local Plan decision would go to Council.

                                    RESOLVED to

(a)  Note the action to date and the approach to be undertaken.

(b)  Authorise the establishment of Uttlesford Garden Communities Limited and appoint Adrian Webb as the interim Director.

(c)  Allocate the sum of £50,000 from the forecast 2017/18 budget underspend to fund the first stage of the delivery process.