Issue - meetings

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

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, providing a detailed response to the scrutiny workplan item – Five Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS).

The report provided background information following the request for the scrutiny item and a number of questions to be addressed and explored in greater detail.  A written response had been provided by Officers and this was attached as Appendix A to the report. 

The Committee received a detailed presentation from the Lead Specialist: Planning Policy and Implementation who took Members through the report at Appendix A.  A lengthy debate ensued during which Members raised a number of questions and the Officer provided additional information including:

·                 The Council continually reviewed what was going on sites and within the 5YHLS Officers had included the right to review the 5YHLS in six months.

·                 At the present Covid had not had a real impact on build rates in Maldon, although the cost of materials was still rising and this may impact on the number of completions which may be seen as an impact later this year or next year.

·                 The Officer confirmed It was noted that the Strategy put forward was sound in principal because growth was being put in sustainable places.

·                 The Council now had a legal requirement to review its Local Development Plan (LDP).  It has been five years since the approval to the Plan.

·                 The Planning Policy Working Group (PPWG) would be looking at future housing requirements as more land for housing, possible employment and Gypsy & Traveller sites had to be considered.  Policies needed updating along with some of the evidence provided when the LDP was originally approved in 2017. 

It was noted that meetings of the PPWG were now open to all Members.  Councillor K M H Lagan commented that he felt this matter should be brought to the Council as it was sovereign.  Following further discussion Councillor V J Bell proposed that this be brought to the Council. This proposal was duly seconded.  Following further discussion Councillor Bell withdrew her proposal.

Councillor P L Spenceley referred to providing housing at a level that was needed and ensuring that the District was protected against over-development at the same time.  She felt Members should own the LDP and understand the methodology being used in the construction of the plan during the current review.  Councillor Spenceley proposed that this Committee recommends to the Council that it pauses the current review methodology of the LDP, all Members be invited to an extraordinary meeting of the Council to consider options with regard to the methodology used and considers a partial review of the LDP as required rather than a full change to the Council’s current Strategy.  This proposal was duly seconded.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor C Mayes requested a recorded vote. 

The Chairman put the proposal in the name of Councillor Spenceley and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors Mis A M Beale, B S Beale, V  ...  view the full minutes text for item 204