Agenda and draft minutes

The committee must appoint a district councillor to chair the meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Prater

Seconded by Councillor Coe; and,

Resolved:

That Councillor Thomas be elected Chair of the meeting.

(As there was no dissent, the nomination was approved by affirmation of the meeting).

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a) discloseable pecuniary interests (DPI)

b) other significant interests (OSI)

c) voluntary announcements of other interests

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024.

Subject to a minor amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024 were received and agreed by the Chair.

Members will receive a presentation updating them on the government’s planning reforms (attached).

Members received a presentation updating them on the government’s planning reforms.

Members made points including the following:

·         When addressing the need for new homes, why are empty buildings not being considered? The Strategy and Policy Manager advised that previous governments have introduced reforms to encourage that, and some buildings such as office blocks can be turned into homes without needing planning permission. The new government hasn’t made any particular announcements about its plans for empty buildings. Councillor Thomas also highlighted that at the Planning and Licensing Committee held on 12^th November, consideration was given to converting an empty building into residential dwellings.

·         Does the call for sites just apply to land, or also to empty buildings? The Strategy and Policy Manager advised messages have been sent to developers, landowners, Parish and Town Councils, so any it could apply to any site, whether brownfield, greenfield or a conversion.

·         Where does Otterpool Park fit into the revised targets? The Strategy and Policy Manager advised that on the previous local plan it accounted for about 40% of all new housing in the district. Otterpool Park have been contacted as part of our call for sites. The increased targets are coming down from the government, and it is up to us as a district to show how we intend to meet that target. Otterpool will contribute to our target but will not satisfy all of it, and we will need to find sites elsewhere.

·         Primary care networks are quite keen on a diagnostic centre at Otterpool, who is involved with this decision? The Strategy and Policy Manager advised as part of the local plan we are in the very early stages and can’t formally begin until summer 2025, but we do speak to health representatives. Regarding the call for sites, we have contacted health bodies we have been in previous discussions with, to ask what sites they would like to see and which sites they would like to see disposed of. The developers of Otterpool Park are also having discussions with health bodies.

Following a request from a Member, the Committee are asked to discuss whether to move future meetings of the District and Parish Joint Committee to 7pm, or keep the existing time of 6pm.

The Committee were asked to discuss whether to move future meetings of the District and Parish Joint Committee to 7pm, or keep the existing time of 6pm, following a request from a Member.

Proposed by Councillor Coe

Seconded by Councillor Allison; and,

Resolved:

To retain the existing start time of 6pm, and to review this again in 2025.

(Voting: 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions)

Other matters

It was also noted that the Committee requested an update on the Planning Forum, and it was agreed that this would be followed up with the relevant officer.