Agenda item

To consider the report on the Local Plan.

The Chair thanked Councillor Evans, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and the Local Plan, for attending the meeting to answer questions in relation to the Local Plan process.

In response to a question regarding the cancellation of the Local Plan Leadership Group (LPLG) and Scrutiny Local Plan meetings, Councillor Evans said this proposal had originated with the Peer Review Group following the announcement of the Government’s White Paper on planning issues. However, Members should have been consulted and the proposal to cancel the meetings had been overruled by the Administration. He confirmed he was content that the governance arrangements surrounding the Local Plan process were understood by Members.

The Assistant Director – Planning said he had shared the view with the advisors and the Chief Executive that the meeting should be cancelled in light of the White Paper announcement and he had moved quickly and in good faith to cancel the meetings. 

In response to three questions relating to the lack of progress made so far on the Local Plan, Councillor Evans said progress had been hindered by the announcement of the Government’s White Paper and, for instance, the LPLG had decided not to review a number of documents in light of the announcement. He said it was a demanding timetable and the Council had a statutory duty to prepare a Local Plan; it would not be possible “to wait and see” what the outcome of the White Paper would be. The project would carry on as planned although there was a need to anticipate the content of the White Paper to avoid duplicating work streams and spending money unnecessarily.

Members discussed the requirement for more detail and specificity in the documents presented to the Committee. There was a need for a detailed risk analysis and the Chair highlighted the impact statement, which had not included any implications for sustainability. He said this stretched credulity and the Committee expected more detail.

In response to a question relating to the need for a Local Plan Project Manager, Councillor Evans said an external consultant had been appointed to the role. There was agreement amongst Members that an independent Project Manager, responsible for keeping the Local Plan on track, was vital to ensure the timetable did not slip.

The Director – Public Services said a project manager had been appointed and was already “mapping the course” ahead. His role was to identify issues that could occur throughout the process and put mitigating measures in place pre-emptively.

Councillor Driscoll entered the meeting at 8.10pm.

CouncillorCoote said the Project Manager’s credentials should have been brought before the Committee. He said new personnel were required to form a new local plan.

Councillor Sell said the Project Manager needed to be independent and not someone who had previously worked for the Council. He said the Local Plan was vitally important and the Council could not afford to see this Plan fail.

The discussion returned to the lack of progress made on the Local Plan. The Chair said he was unimpressed with the management of the process and the lack of progress made. He said this was not a criticism of officers but rather the Administration.

In response, Councillor Evans said the White Paper had led to a delay as Local Plan documentation had to go through the LPLG. He said the Administration were not using the White Paper as an excuse but it was an unforeseen “spanner in the works” as the LPLG required an opportunity to consider its implications. Furthermore, he said the failure of the previous two Local Plans could not be placed on the current Administration. He said this Administration was ambitious and would secure the best Plan possible.

CouncillorCriscione said there was a need to look at which groups would be formally consulted over the Local Plan.

Councillor Jones said the process could have been quicker but he appreciated the reality of the last 8 months and it was important that sound foundations for the Plan were now in place. He concluded by saying that important work had been carried out by officers and Members and both needed to work together to prepare an effective Local Plan.

The Chair summarised the discussion on Item 3; he said the Committee were in agreement regarding the need for greater specificity and detail in the tabled documentation, to continue to progress work streams that could be progressed and that the White Paper should not delay the agreed timetable.

Councillor Evans said he had listened to the Committee and would take on board their constructive input.

The meeting was adjourned at 8.30pm for a comfort break.

The meeting was reconvened at 8.40pm