Agenda and minutes

To receive and note any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence received.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

Councillor S Sheahan declared a Disclosable Non-Pecuniary Interest in item 5, Development Strategy, as a property owner who could be affected by the proposed route of HS2.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2014

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2014.

It was moved by Councillor J Legrys, seconded by Councillor C Large and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2014 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Terms of Reference attached.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The Terms of Reference be noted.

Councillor J Legrys advised Members that he had been asked to put forward some questions to officers from a member of the public. Councillor J Legrys felt that it would be more appropriate for a written response to be provided to the questions, however he would ask other questions through the meeting as a result.

Councillor J Bridges thanked the member of the public for submitting the questions and felt it would be fair to all to consider the questions after the meeting.

Report of the Director of Services

The Director of Services presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that the report before them provided a starting point for the scale and distribution of development that would be included in the plan. He stated that the information that was available would allow Members to debate and comment on what could be included and then officers could take that away, consider and bring back to the Advisory Committee for further consideration. He informed Members that the Memorandum of Understanding had now been agreed by all authorities within the housing area.

He highlighted that Members were being asked to consider a flexibility allowance as some developments may not be delivered and the authority would need to convince the inspector that the district had sufficient provision, adding that 30% was a figure to be considered and discussed. He added that Members were also being asked to consider the settlement hierarchy.  He highlighted the 2 options which were before them with Coalville being the principal town in both, but allowing Members that opportunity to consider how the other areas were treated. He advised Members that option B was the preferred option. He highlighted that Members were also provided with factors to take into account when considering the allocation of sites.

Members agreed to comment on the report in sections.

Scale of Development

Councillor S Sheahan stated that he understood  an allowance was required, but questioned  why it related to the 5 year land supply rather than the figure in the SHMA buffer and questioned why the allowance had not be raised previously. He asked how it linked in.

The Planning Policy Team Manager stated that there was uncertainty in terms of economics relating to the deliverability of sites and that an allowance would be required. He added that 20% was stated in the NPPF however the figure could be higher or lower. In addition, as outlined in the report, it was necessary to ensure that the Local Plan took account of economic strategies when assessing housing need. There was uncertainty about this at the present time and so a flexibility allowance would enable this matter to be fully considered.

Councillor S Sheahan stated that increasing the SHMA was a step too far.

The Planning Policy Team Manager stated that it was not an increase, but due to constant economic challenges, developments may not happen and  the plan would need to provide evidence that the Council would still meet the level of housing required.

The Director of Services stated that a 20% allowance would give a six year supply and that it would be up to Council to agree the allowance. He added that the when the plan was submitted to the inspector, reliance on whether a site was deliverable within the period would be taken into account. He advised Members that the NPPF recommended 20% and that it would be a sound approach to building a flexibility allowance.

The Consultant advised Members that flexibility allowances were being used for two different  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Report of the Director of Services

The Director of Services presented the report to Members.

He informed Members that there was a need for a policy to be set that would address the need for affordable housing within the district. He advised Members that paragraph 2.2 of the report could be used as a starting point and that the report gave Members an opportunity to discuss and debate what the policy would include.

Councillor D De Lacy stated that it was an interesting report and nobody would disagree that there needed to be a policy. He commented on the need for 1 bedroom properties and that if the Council agreed on 60% the developers would not like the nature of the houses. He felt that the amount would need to be fixed so that the monies from contributions could be used for other services.

Councillor J Bridges stated that he agreed with Councillor D De Lacy however he was nervous about fixing a delivery of 60% as not everywhere required that level. He highlighted that more two bed homes were required due to higher levels in assisted living. He informed Members that there were a lot of issues to consider and that they would try to agree to fix something.

Councillor R D Bayliss agreed with the views of officers and felt that it should be a flexible figure. He also stated that as outlined? in the report there were other ways of providing affordable homes.

Councillor J Legrys stated that he disagreed with Councillor R D Bayliss and felt that the figure should be fixed and stuck to. He concurred that more two bed homes were required to address the need for care, but also stated that there was a need for more bungalows within the Local Plan. He stated that the authority needed to be open and honest over the number of houses that were to be built, highlighting that with the 12,000 houses that had previously been discussed and a further 3,000 social houses the total figure was slowly rising. He expressed disappointment that social housing was dismissed as it appeared homes were being built for commuters rather than local people. He agreed that there needed to be a policy, but what the policy contained was a matter for debate.

Councillor S Sheahan stated that developers would only be interested in buyers that could afford their houses. He added that there needed to be a balance between private and public sector homes provided which should be included, but highlighted that it would be hard to enforce.

Councillor J Bridges agreed that the approach should be that of working together. He added that there was nothing wrong with trade-offs between public and private sectors.

Councillor S Sheahan added that Members could not rely on developers and that local authorities and Social Landlords needed to provide affordable housing.

Councillor C Large raised a concern that at the beginning of the report it stated that 60% housing was required and further into the report it stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

Report of the Director of Services

The Director of Services presented the report to Members.

Councillor J Legrys thanked the officers for attending events to help promote the Local Plan and the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). He stated that a number of organisations had not commented, however Members were able to comment on the statement through Council meetings. He suggested that Members attend community events in the future to? explain what was being asked and why, and to take the flack that was aimed at officers.

Councillor S Sheahan stated that the Community Engagement Strategy was being reviewed and that Members should be aware they were very similar and they should be developed in accordance with each other.

Councillor D De Lacy commented that the new statement was not attached for Members to comment on.

The Director of Services informed Members that there would not be a meeting of the Advisory Committee before the SCI was considered at Cabinet, but he would be happy to circulate it to Members.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The Advisory Committee:

1.    Notes the response to the recent consultation in respect of the Statement of Community Involvement;

2.    Requests that the new Statement of Community Involvement by circulated to Members of the Advisory Committee; and

3.    Notes that the new Statement of Community will be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 13 January 2015

Councillor A C Saffell left the meeting at 8.14pm.

Councillor D Howe left the meeting at 8.26pm.