Agenda, decisions and minutes

(a)        This meeting is to be webcast;

(b)        Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking; and

(c)        the Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of subsequent repeated viewing, with copies of the recording being made available for those that request it.

By being present at this meeting, it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in your image becoming part of the broadcast.

You should be aware that this may infringe your human and data protection rights. If you have any concerns then please speak to the Webcasting Officer.

Please could I also remind Members to activate their microphones before speaking.”

The Chairman reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Cabinet Committee held on 2 July 2012 (previously circulated).

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2012 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Resolved:

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2012 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note the Terms of reference for the Cabinet Committee, as agreed by the Leader of the Council.

“3.1      To oversee and submit recommendations to the Cabinet as appropriate on:

(a)   agreement of documentation for consultation on the draft plan/preferred option and documentation to seek pre - submission representations on the proposed  Local Plan;

(b)   the final form of the Council’s Local Plan (ie the version to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination in Public); and

(c)        responses that should be made to any representations received following consultation on the Local Plan and related documents and supplementary planning documents;

3.2       To be responsible for all aspects (except those matters specified in 3.1      above) including but not restricted to:

(a)        monitoring of the achievement of milestones within the Local Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy preparation and review process;

(b)        agreement of engagement strategies for consultation periods as necessary;

(c)        agreement of documentation for consultation on (i) the Issues and Options;

(d)        agreement of draft options and policy wording to be used as the basis for Sustainability Appraisal.

3.3       To note, receive and, if necessary, agree officer reports on consultants’ studies which contribute to the establishment of an up-to-date evidence base to influence preparation of the Local Plan.

3.4       To agree options for joint or co-ordinated working with neighbouring Councils, which comply with the Council’s duty to co-operate and which best meet the needs of this District.

3.5       To respond to the Planning Services Standing Scrutiny Standing Panel as appropriate.

3.6       To monitor within the budgetary provision for the Local Plan, as approved by the Cabinet and the Council.

3.7       That the membership of the Committee comprise of members of the Cabinet, the number to be determined by the Leader of the Council.

3.8       That the Committee will be chaired by the Portfolio Holder responsible for Planning matters.

NB       (1)        In the event that the Council’s Cabinet is constituted according the pro rata membership requirements of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989, any political group not having representation on the Committee by virtue of one of the named Cabinet portfolios shall nominate one member of the Cabinet to serve on this Committee.

(2)        In the event that seats on the Cabinet are allocated by the Leader of Council solely to one political group, or to an alliance of one or more groups forming an administration, seats on the Sub Committee shall only be allocated to members of that group or alliance who have seats on the Cabinet.”

The Cabinet Committee noted its terms of reference, as amended by the Leader of the Council.

To noted the agreed Portfolio Holder Decisions since the last meeting on 2 July 2012 as follows;

(a) Inclusion of the Heritage Asset Review as part of the Local Plan Evidence Base

Decision: To note the findings and conclusions of the Heritage Asset Review and to include the study as part of the Evidence Base for the new Local Plan.

(b)       Open Space Sport and Recreation Assessment

Decision:  That the findings of the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment are noted and approved for inclusion in the Council’s Local Plan Evidence Base.

(c)        Local Plan Evidence Base report – The Lea Valley Glasshouse Industry: Planning for the Future

Decision: To note the main findings and recommendations of the study on the future of the Lea Valley Glasshouse Industry and include the study as part of the Evidence Base for the new Local Plan.

The Cabinet Committee noted that the following Portfolio Holder decisions in relation to the Local Plan had been agreed since the last meeting on 2 July 2012:

(i)         Inclusion of the Heritage Asset Review as part of the Local Plan Evidence Base;

(ii)        Open Space Sport and Recreation Assessment; and

(iii)       Local Plan Evidence Base report – The Lea Valley Glasshouse Industry: Planning for the Future.

(Planning Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (LPC-003-2012/13).

(1)        That the progress made with consultation on the ‘Local Plan Issues & Options – Community Choices’ document be noted.

The Forward Planning Manager presented a progress report on the consultation for the Local Plan ‘Issues & Options – Community Choices’ document.

The Forward Planning Manager reported that public consultation on the Local Plan ‘Issues & Options – Community Choices’ document commenced on 30 July 2012, and would run for 11 weeks until 15 October 2012. Press briefings had been held in July and leaflets advertising the dates and locations of the public drop-in sessions had been delivered to every household and business in the District. Problems with the delivery of leaflets in Chigwell had been resolved, and possible further problems in Ninefields, Waltham Abbey were being investigated. A total of 14 drop-in sessions throughout the District had been planned, and details had been sent to all Town and Parish Councils, as well as being posted on the Council’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Forward Planning Manager advised that letters had been sent to a variety of consultees and groups advertising the consultation, and specific hard-to-reach groups had been targeted to ensure they were aware of the consultation. There would be an exhibition in the Civic Offices throughout the consultation period, and temporary exhibitions would be staged in local libraries around the District. The number of responses to the consultation had started to increase following the first of the drop-in sessions taking place, and it was expected that more responses would be received as the consultation period progressed.

The Chairman added that a meeting had taken place between the Lea Valley growers, the National Farmers Union and the Local Strategic Partnership to discuss the recent Glass House Industry report, and work on some of the issues raised in respect of the Green Belt and Parkland areas, to enable the growers to concentrate on food production. The Local Strategic Partnership would lead this process, and the outcome would be reported back to the Cabinet Committee.

There were further claims made about the non-delivery of leaflets in other areas by Members present at the meeting. The Forward Planning Manager responded that the Council had access to telemetric data about the leaflet deliveries, but Officers could investigate further the details of any roads that had not been delivered to. The Chairman stated that further resources had been made available to hold extra local meetings, for which press releases would be issued, but the public could telephone Officers with questions at any time. A DVD would be made for distribution amongst the Gypsy & Traveller community, and this would also be made available on the Council’s website with copies available on request to the public. The Cabinet Committee was reminded that local Parish Magazines could also be used to disseminate information.

A local Member for Chigwell Village reported that there was huge suspicion in the Chigwell area. Residents believed that this was not a consultation, and that the Local Plan had already been finalised with building on Green Belt land in the area proposed. It was also felt that the consultation had been poorly put together  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) To consider the attached report (LPC-004-2012/13).

(1)        That, using the methodology in Appendix 1 of the report, an assessment against the purposes of including land within the Green Belt for the new Local Plan be conducted by the Council.

The Senior Planning Officer presented a report regarding a proposed methodology for the assessment of purposes of including land within the Green Belt for the new Local Plan.

The Senior Planning Officer reported that the Council was currently consulting on areas for potential growth for the next plan period to 2033. In order to achieve even the lowest level of growth required over the next 20 years, some release of Green Belt land would be required. Previous work on the Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA) looked at whether areas of land were available or deliverable. The purpose of a Green Belt assessment was to follow the SLAA work and determine which areas from those being considered were the least harmful to release from the Green Belt. Any release of Green Belt land had to be carried out in the context of the five purposes of including land in the Green Belt, and with close reference to existing guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The Senior Planning Officer advised the Cabinet Committee that a methodology had to be considered for assessing the impacts of releasing the various sites, to determine which sites would cause the least harm to the purposes of including land within the Green Belt. The proposed methodology had been attached at Appendix 1 of the report. The Green Belt assessment would be carried out at approximately the same time as further Sustainability Appraisal work. The recommendations of the Green Belt assessment could then be used alongside the results of the consultation and further evidence gathering to identify the best range of sites or areas to consider for further testing prior to potential allocation.

The Chairman emphasised that any assessment had to conform with the guidance given in paragraphs 79 – 92 of the NPPF. It should consider the impact on the openness and permanence of the land and the five main purposes for including land in the Green Belt, namely:

(i)         to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;

(ii)        to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;

(iii)       to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;

(iv)       to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and

(v)        to assist in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

The Cabinet Committee were reassured that the second purpose listed above would be applied to villages as well as towns, and the Forward Planning Manager confirmed that this purpose had always been interpreted as all settlements by Officers, but that the wording was proscribed by the NPPF. The Senior Planning Officer affirmed that sustainability issues were dealt with under separate policies, and hence had not been included in the methodology as this focused solely on the Green Belt. The Chairman stated that the proposed methodology incorporated best practices from other authorities and commended it to the Cabinet Committee for approval.

Decision:

(1)        That, using the methodology in Appendix 1 of the report, an assessment against the purposes of including land  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs (6) and (24) of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order (6) (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Cabinet Committee and the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee. Two weeks’ notice of non-urgent items is required.

It was noted by the Cabinet Committee that there was no other urgent business for consideration.