Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking Members’ consideration for the purchasing of new land that would be allocated for housing through the upcoming review of the Local Development Plan (LDP).

Members were advised that as required by the National Planning Policy Framework, the Council had recently instigated a review of the LDP.  At this time the Council would also be bringing forward an up to date Housing Needs Assessment (LHNA).  As part of the review the Council will need to allocate new land for housing. 

The Chairman put the recommendation as set out in the report and this was duly seconded.

A lengthy debate ensued, some concerns were raised and in response to questions the Lead Specialist Place provided additional information and clarification.  It was noted that for transparency purposes it was necessary for there to be separation between sites required by the Council and those sites allocated.  If a new plan was produced for the next 15 years the Council would need to provide housing for the next 15 years too.

The report outlined proposals for achieving this and these were discussed by Members.  The Lead Specialist Place outlined how once a call for sites had been carried out a complex scoring process would have to be undertaken and one of the key aspects of this was the deliverability of the sites.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor W Stamp requested a recorded vote.  This was duly seconded and the voting on the recommendation as set out in the report was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, B S Beale MBE, V J Bell, M R Edwards, K M H Lagan, C Mayes, C Morris, S P Nunn, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall and W Stamp.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors Miss A M Beale, Mrs P A Channer, A S Fluker, A L Hull, J V Keyes, C P Morley, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

Abstention:

Councillors M S Heard, N J Skeens, J Stilts and C Swain.

The Chairman advised that the recommendation was therefore agreed.

RESOLVED that the content of the report be noted and permission granted for the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance in consultation with the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee to enter into land option agreements (limited to a cost of £1,000 for each agreement) to look to deliver additional housing required through the review of the Local Development Plan.