Issue - meetings

In response to a question from Councillor Mrs M E Thompson regarding the Council’s Five-Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS), being vulnerable to speculative planning applications and the steps made to protect schools, highways etc., the Leader of the Council, Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance and Lead Specialist Place provided the following information:

·                 The Council was awaiting a response from Essex County Council regarding school places. 

·                 Any shortfall or harm in infrastructure regarding education and highways would potentially adversely outweigh any benefit and would be a reason for refusal;

·                 The Council’s 5YHLS had fallen below and Officers were working to support delivery across the District. 

·                 The Council for the last three years had achieved its best results in terms of the housing delivery test, building in excess of 400 houses in District.

·                 In light of the likelihood of very sufficient developments coming forward Officers would be working with partners to ensure infrastructure was in place or if it would form a reason for refusal.

Councillor Mrs P A Channer referred to Parish Forum Minutes and asked if these could be available to all Members.  In response the Leader of the Council advised she would check the constitution / terms of reference but saw no reason for them not being made available to all Members.

Councillor Miss A M Beale asked what was being done to increase the 5YHLS and made specific reference to the Heybridge Garden Suburb.  The Leader of the Council referred to the Lead Specialist Place who provided an update and explained how some of the allocated site were coming forward slower that hoped, although there had been a lot of houses built in the District.

At this point and in response to a query regarding the number of questions that could be raised by a Member, the Lead Legal Specialist and Monitoring Officer provided advice to the Council regarding this.

Councillor R G Boyce referred to a decision by the Council to provide electric car owners free car parking and sought confirmation as to whether this had been rescinded.  In response the Leader advised that she would check this out and make sure it happened in the new climate strategy as far as possible.