Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the code of conduct.  In particular, members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non pecuniary'.

Councillor S Sheahan declared a non-pecuniary interest with regard to any broad reference in reports to HS2 on the proviso that if any verbal reference was made to it in the meeting, he would declare a pecuniary interest and leave the meeting.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Councillor R Ashman presented the report, which updated Members on the proposals for a locally led Development Corporation since it’s consideration by Council on 17 November 2020. Approval was also sought for a financial contribution by the Council of £167,000 in 2021/22 in advance of government funding being secured for the establishment of an Interim Vehicle.

A full and lengthy debate was held and broad support was expressed for the proposals contained in the report, although reservations were expressed regarding the sourcing of funding for the Council’s contribution and the Development Corporation remaining locally led in the future. Clarification was also given on the relationship between the similar but separate proposals for the East Midlands Development Corporation and the Freeport.

It was moved by Councillor R Ashman, seconded by Councillor K Merrie, and by a vote of 31 for and 4 against it was subsequently

RESOLVED THAT COUNCIL:

Approves making a financial contribution of £167,000 in 2021/22 in advance of government funding being secured to support the Interim Vehicle in line with the funding approved by Council on 17 November 2020.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Councillor R Ashman presented the report, which sought Council approval for the adoption of the North West Leicestershire Local Plan Partial Review.

A full and lengthy debate was held in which it was acknowledged there were several areas for improvements in the current Local Plan, but it was important to agree the proposals in the report in order for the Local Plan to remain in force. It was also acknowledged that the subsequent Substantive Review would be an opportunity for these concerns to be addressed and all Members were encouraged to engage with this process. Thanks were also expressed for the hard work of officers in responding to an ever-changing series of local and national factors when undertaking these reviews.

It was moved by Councillor R Ashman, seconded by Councillor A Bridgen, and by a vote of 32 for and 4 against it was subsequently

RESOLVED THAT COUNCIL

1)    Accepts the Inspector’s report and her recommendations to make the Local Plan Partial Review sound, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report;

2)    Approves the minor modifications as set out in Appendix C of this report;

3)    Delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Planning and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder to make any further changes to address typographical errors or factual corrections;

4)    Adopts the North West Leicestershire Local Plan Partial Review as set out in Appendix E of this report; and

5)    That an adoption statement and the final sustainability appraisal report be issued in accordance with Regulations 17 and 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012.