Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:1) That the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework and Statement of Common Ground 2019 and the agreements contained therein be endorsed.

2) That the Borough Council supports the commitment to continued co-operative working and periodic review of the framework and in particular would support further collective work in relation to climate change.

Reason for Decision:

In order to fulfil the Borough Council’s duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities in undertaking its planning policy work.

The LDF Manager presented the report which explained that when preparing Local Plans, the Authority was subject to a number of legal and regulatory requirements which included a legal ‘duty to co-operate’ with neighbouring authorities in relation to strategically important land use issues which crossed boundaries.  Compliance with this requirement was one of the legal tests which the Inspector would apply at Local Plan examination.

All authorities in Norfolk participated in a Member Forum which had endorsed the preparation of a strategic planning framework document. This document had recently been revised and the updated version was now presented for endorsement. 

The LDF Manager highlighted the key changes, as set out in the report.

Councillor Pope addressed the Cabinet under Standing Order 34.  He made reference to mineral extractions and asked if the Borough Council received any payment from minerals which were removed from the Borough.  The Leader explained that the land owner would usually be paid by a company to operate the facility.  Mineral extraction within the Borough was a Norfolk County Council responsibility.  The LDF Manager explained that the Borough Council had signed up to the Norfolk County Council Mineral Extraction agreement.

Councillor Kunes commented that the mineral extraction site in West Norfolk did bring in business rates and employment opportunities, so benefitted the local economy.

Councillor Middleton commented that there were lots of other sites in the country with minerals, but did not have the facilities to extract, therefore pressure needed to be put on the Government to encourage extraction in other places and push other Local Authorities to do their part.

Councillor Devereux referred to the number of environmental influences within the agreement and that they would assist with the development of Borough Council Policies. 

The Leader asked the LDF Manager if the duty to co-operate would extend with Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.  The LDF Manager explained that the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework formalised the relationship between areas in Norfolk, but the Council did involve Lincolnshire, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire as part of the Local Plan process.

RESOLVED:1) That the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework and Statement of Common Ground 2019 and the agreements contained therein be endorsed.

2) That the Borough Council supports the commitment to continued co-operative working and periodic review of the framework and in particular would support further collective work in relation to climate change.

Reason for Decision:

In order to fulfil the Borough Council’s duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities in undertaking its planning policy work.