Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chief Executive will read the following announcement:

“This meeting will be webcast live to the Internet and will be archived for later viewing. Copies of recordings may be made available on request.

By entering the chamber’s lower seating area you consenting to becoming part of the webcast.

If you wish to avoid being filmed you should move to the public gallery or speak to the webcasting officer”

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 3 September 2012 (previously circulated).

Resolved:

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2012 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note the revised terms of reference for the Cabinet Committee, as agreed by the Leader of Council on 28 June 2012 (as attached).

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

No decisions taken since the last meeting.

The Cabinet Committee noted that there had been no Portfolio Holder decisions in relation to the Local Plan signed since the last meeting.

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) To consider the attached report (LPC-006-2012/13).

The Forward Planning Manager presented an update report on the Local Plan process following the conclusion of the Issues & Options consultation.

The Forward Planning Manager stated that the Issues & Options consultation had started on 30 July and concluded on 15 October 2012. There had been much local interest generated over the consultation and a large number of representations had been submitted as a result. The Drop-In sessions had been well attended and public engagement was generally constructive. The total number of representations received had been 5,773 of which 124 were from statutory bodies, 275 from landowners, 3,158 from residents, and 2,216 signatories from local groups. The information from the consultation would be used to inform a series of Member workshops aimed at District, Town and Parish Councillors. These had been scheduled for 26 January, 9 February and 2 March 2013.

The Forward Planning Manager reported that the Council was now focused on processing and analysing the representations in order to progress to the next stage of the Local Plan process, the Preferred Options. The Forward Planning team was also focusing on commissioning, progressing and completing key pieces of evidence work that would inform the Local Plan:

(i)         A final draft copy of the Carbon Reduction and Renewable Energy Assessment report had now been received;

(ii)        An update of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment would be discussed at the December meetings of the Essex Planning Officers Association and the Essex Housing Officers Group;

(iii)       Officers had been in discussions with the Glasshouse Industry to identify suitable areas for land for future Glasshouse development;

(iv)       Officers were interviewing three consultants to deliver the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2 for the preferred sites;

(v)        A Transport Assessment for the preferred sites;

(vi)       URS (Scott Wilson) had been approached to be the Council’s ‘Critical Friend’ for the Sustainability Appraisal; and

(vii)      Delivery of the DVD’s to the local Traveller community was expected to begin next week, and the DVD would be published on the Council’s website.

In addition, Officers were considering commissioning a study of the brownfield sites within the District to identify further areas for development, a Dispersion Modelling Assessment of Air Quality at the identified preferred sites, and possibly further work on Economic Development within the District.

The Chairman stated that all the identified brownfield sites would be highlighted in one document to see if any had been missed. Any brownfield sites that were too small to accommodate at least six properties would be classed as ‘windfall’ sites. Harlow District Council had received 4,000 responses to their Issues & Options consultation, but 75% of these had come from the Stop Harlow North pressure group. This Council’s responses had been more widespread and constructive. Preliminary meetings had taken place with Harlow District Council about potential developments that could impact upon the District, as well as Uttlesford District Council concerning potential developments at Stansted Airport. A strategic review of North Weald Airfield was being undertaken, and the Council was in discussions with One  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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.

The Chairman reported that the Government planned to extend Permitted Development rights for residential and business premises. The technical consultation was now underway, due to finish on 24 December, and the Planning Services Scrutiny Panel would consider the Council’s response.