Agenda item

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

Councillor R G Boyce re-joined the meeting at this point.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance providing an update on the outcome of the recent public consultation on the Essex Coast Recreational Disturbance Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).  Approval of the final RAMS (Appendix 1 to the report) and SPD (Appendix 2) was sought and in addition Members agreement to enter into a partnership with Chelmsford City Council to manage the implementation of the RAMS for the first three years was sought.

The report provided background information on the process undertaken to meet the legal agreement to assess the impacts of new development on internationally important wildlife sites and where necessary, put mitigation measures in place to minimise any harm.  It was noted that Essex Coastal RAMS was a coordinated response across 12 Local Planning Authorities in Essex.  A number of documents related to the SPD were attached as appendices to the report.

The report also provided detailed information in respect of the following areas:

·                 The Zones of Influence (ZoIs)

·                 Mitigation Package;

·                 RAMS Project Governance;

·                 Monitoring and review process

·                 Partnership arrangements.

It was noted that Essex Coast RAMS, SPD and Partnership Arrangements represented a holistic approach to managing the Council’s joint legal obligations as a Local Planning Authority

The Leader of the Council proposed that the recommendations set out in the report along with a further recommendation (see below) be agreed.

That the annual contribution in the first year does not exceed £2,000 and that regular reports go to Strategy and Resources Committee.

This was duly seconded.

In response to a question regarding the promotion of individual projects that qualified for funds, the Specialist: Local Plan advised that these could be promoted through the Steering Group and the Essex Coastal Forum.

Concerns were raised regarding the Bradwell development and the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance reminded Members that Bradwell would be determined through the Development Consent Order process which was separate to RAMS.  Following further discussion it was also proposed that a further recommendation be added to state that the Council noted that this did not include the Bradwell development which would be subject to a separate process.  This was duly seconded.

The Chairman then put the recommendations set out in the report, along with the two further recommendations and in accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor C Mayes requested a recorded vote.  The voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, Miss A M Beale, B S Beale, V J Bell, M F L Durham, M R Edwards, A S Fluker, B E Harker, M S Heard, M W Helm, A L Hull, K W Jarvis, K M H Lagan, C Mayes, C P Morley, S P Nunn, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N J Skeens, J Stilts, C Swain, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors E L Bamford, C Morris and W Stamp.

Abstention:

Councillors R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer.

RESOLVED

(i)              That the contents of this report be noted, including the You Said, We Did Report as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, the RAMS SPD Equalities Impact Assessment as set out in in Appendix 4 to the report and the RAMS Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) & Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Screening Report as set out in Appendix 5 to the report;

(ii)            that the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) 2018 - 2033 (January 2019) as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted;

(iii)          that the Essex Coast RAMS Supplementary Planning Document (June 2020) as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be adopted;

(iv)           that the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance be authorised to join the Essex Coast RAMS Partnership on behalf of Maldon District Council, via a Partnership Agreement with Chelmsford City Council as the Accountable Body and put into place operational processes to implement, collect, monitor and pay the tariff contributions collected in the Maldon District to the Essex Coast RAMS Accountable Body;

(v)             That the annual contribution in the first year does not exceed £2,000 and that regular reports go to Strategy and Resources Committee;

(vi)           That the Council notes that this does not include the Bradwell development which will be subject to a separate process.