Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Mellish and Rochford.

To approve the minutes of the previous Joint Panel meeting.

RESOLVED: The minutes from the Joint Panel Meeting held on 27 January 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

Those declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There was none.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

There was none.

If any.

There was none.

To receive comments and recommendations from other Council bodies, and any responses to recommendations, which the Panel has previously made.

At the Cabinet meeting on 2 February 2016, the following responses were made to the recommendations from the Joint Panel meeting held on 27 January 2016 in respect of the following items:

RD43: Budget 2016/2016

PANEL RECOMMENDED: The Joint Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report.

CABINET RESPONSE: The comments of the Panel were taken into account when Cabinet considered the item.

RD44: Capital Programme 2015-2020

PANEL RECOMMENDED: The Joint Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report.

CABINET RESPONSE: The comments of the Panel were taken into account when Cabinet considered the item.

The Panel noted the response made by Cabinet to the recommendations from the Joint Panel Meeting held on 27 January 2016 in respect of the following items:

-       Budget

-       Capital Programme

The above Cabinet report is on the Cabinet Forward Decision List for consideration by Cabinet on 1 March 2016.  The Panel are requested to consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

The LDF Manager presented the Cabinet report and explained that as part of the examination process the Inspector had identified a set of proposed Modifications to the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan. 

The LDF Manager explained that the Inspector had written to the Council in February with his preliminary findings and identified shortcomings relating to the soundness of the Plan.  The shortcomings had been addressed through the main modifications provided by the Inspector.  The Panel was informed that main modifications related to changes in policies and allocations.  The minor modifications related to typos and grammatical errors.

The Panel was informed that if the modifications were agreed by Council they would be advertised for six weeks to allow for representations to be made.  The representations would then be considered by the Inspector and, where appropriate, incorporated into his report back to the Borough Council.

The Chairman thanked the LDF Manager for his report, there were no questions from the Panel.

RESOLVED: That the Environment and Community & Regeneration and Development Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below.

That Cabinet recommend to Council that:

1. The proposed modifications be agreed.

2. The modifications and supporting documents be made available for representations for a period of 6 weeks, and any comments received are passed to the Inspector.

The above Cabinet Report is on the Forward Decision List for consideration by Cabinet on 1 March 2016.  The Panel are requested to consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

The LDF Manager presented the Cabinet report.  He explained that a comprehensive assessment of the Borough’s full, objectively assessed needs for housing had been prepared to inform the Local Plan process and housing land supply calculations. 

He explained that the Borough Council monitored development in the Borough and it was a requirement to look at housing need in the Local Plan.  The assessment would relate to the period up to 2028 and included statistical predictions.  The LDF Manager referred to the figures included in the assessment summary.  He explained that the current Local Plan was working towards approximately 660 units per annum and the assessment had indicated between 680 and 710 units would be required.

The LDF Manager reminded those present that the assessment would relate to future Local Plans.

The Chairman thanked the LDF Manager for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Mrs Wright asked if immigration had been factored into the figures.  The LDF Manager explained that the calculations were based on Government population projections, which were done every two years and migration and immigration were taken into account as an element of growth.

Councillor Moriarty referred to the Armed Forces bases in the area and asked if there would be an impact should they close.  He also asked if leaving the EU would have an effect on the housing need.  The LDF Manager explained that accommodation requirements for the armed forces would have an impact if things were to change and Government figures would reflect this.  He reminded the Panel that the document would be refreshed and updated as appropriate, but it was important that Government calculations were used.

Councillor Mrs Westrop referred to paragraphs 58 to 60 of the assessment which referred to alternative modelling solutions.  The LDF Manager explained that the DCLG provided forecasts which were taken into consideration by the consultant when preparing the assessment.  He explained that the Council could not build in their own assumptions and could not deviate from the calculations provided by the Government.  He referred to figure 15 in the assessment which showed potential variations if different formulation rates were forthcoming.

RESOLVED: That the Environment and Community & Regeneration and Development Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below:

Cabinet is recommended to endorse the ‘Assessing King’s Lynn and West Norfolk’s Housing Requirement’ Report.