Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Planning Portfolio Holder

The Planning Portfolio Holder presented the report to members. He noted that Leicester City did not have sufficient land to meet its housing and employment needs in full and that all Local Planning Authorities were under an obligation to work with neighbouring authorities to ensure all the needs in an area were met. He highlighted that the statement would be considered at the next Council meeting, which could result in an increase in the housing to be built figures to 686 per year from 372 per year. He outlined how the figures had been reached, that the employment need would be meet by Charnwood and advised Cabinet that to make the provision for the increased figure would require some difficult decisions. He stated that should the authority resist the new figure it would pose a significant risk to the Local Plan and therefore the statement should be supported.

Councillor R Blunt noted that planning did not follow political lines and was about where the demand and growth was, and for that reason the Council should follow the statement.

It was moved by Councillor K Merrie, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.      The Statement of Common Ground which addresses the issue of unmet housing and employment needs from Leicester City be noted

2.      The views of Cabinet on the Statement of Common Ground will be forwarded to Council for it to have regard to when determining this Council’s position; and

3.      The Council’s position on whether or not to support the Statement of Common Ground be formally agreed at a meeting of Council on 6 September 2022.

Reason for Decision: To determine Cabinet’s views on the proposed Statement of Common Ground for forwarding to Council.