Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Mr Chris Humphris, Director of Operations, West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group.

The Notes of the meeting held on 16 November 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

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 Members should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

There was no urgent business.

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 were no Members present under Standing Order 34.

There was no Chairman’s correspondence.

The Principal Planner (Policy) introduced Felix Beck the new Graduate Planner who had recently commenced employment with the Borough Council.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt advised that apologies had been received earlier that morning from Mr Chris Humphris, Director of Operations, West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group.

AGREED:  Mr Humphris be invited to attend the next meeting of the Task Group scheduled to take place on 18 January 2017.

The Planner provided an overview of the Settlement Hierarchy suggested Preferred Option document as circulated with the Agenda and drew the Task Group’s attention to the changes as set out below:

Key Rural Service Centres

o        Three Holes has been added to the KRSC of Upwell and Outwell.

o        West Walton is now a KRSC on its own, Walton Highway is now a Rural Village.

o        Castle Acre and East Rudham remain KRSC’s.

o        Walpole St. Peter / Walpole St. Andrew / Walpole Marsh has been promoted

o        As have Marshland St. James / St. John’s Fen End with Tinley Fen End

o        And Middleton and Southery.

Rural Villages

o        Denver, Wiggenhall St. Germans, Walpole Highway, Hilgay, Syderstone, Great Bircham/Bircham Tofts, Burnham Overy Staithe and Hillington all remain RV’s.

o        Walton Highway is now a Rural Village (member decision)

o        Stow Bridge is promoted to this category.

Concern was expressed regarding Three Holes being linked to Upwell/Outwell as Three Holes was predominately in Flood Zone 3 and would therefore fail the sequential test because there were other areas which were safer to build on.  The Planner explained that Three Holes was a smaller settlement and the development boundary was around the norther end of the village, with the remainder being in a flood zone.  The Task Group was advised that two sites have been submitted in the recent call for sites exercise.  Members were informed that Three Holes was not totally in Flood Zone 3, some parts of Three Holes were in Flood Zones 1 and 3.  The Chairman, Councillor Blunt added that the potential sites were not within Flood Zone 3.

Following a discussion on the Local Development Scheme (LDS), the Principal Planner (Policy) explained that the LDS would be brought back to the Task Group with a revised plan to be adopted in early 2019.  It was noted that once the new plan was adopted in 2019 new sites could be brought forward.

With regard to comments on officers referring to the “emerging plan”, the Chairman, Councillor Blunt undertook to discuss the points raised with the Executive Director and Planning Services Manager and report back to the Task Group.

In response to comments from the Task Group on the consultation phase and the planning process of the plan being developed and sites not being available until a specific date, it was noted that legal advice would be sought.  The Planner read out an extract from NPPF 216:

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt highlighted the importance of both officers and Members being aware of the whole process.

The Principal Planner (Policy) informed the Task Group that the new plan period was 2016 – 2036.  The sites that had already been committed and completed would be taken off the total number required when the new Plan was adopted in 2019.  Housing provision would be required up to 2036.

Following a discussion on the five year land supply, the Chairman, Councillor Blunt explained that the calculation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Planner presented the report and explained that 557 sites had been submitted.  However, 31 sites had not attached all the information and had to be contacted to request the additional details required.

The Task Group noted that to data 100 sites had been mapped.  However, the data had not yet been verified, so there were currently some anomalies in the schedule attached to the Agenda.

Once all the sites had been mapped, the information would be published on the Council’s website.  Sites submitted would be assessed in line with the Council’s Housing and Economic Land Availability (HELAA).

The Planner explained that the inclusion of a site within the HELAA does not mean that it would be allocated, or that planning consent would be given.  The HELAA was a technical document which would inform the Local Plan review.

Following comments and the discussion on the phrase “at least”, the Chairman, Councillor Blunt advised that the Inspector had insisted that “at least” should be used.  The Principal Planner (Policy) reminded the Task Group that the similar wording “at least” had been used in the Core Strategy but had not been followed through to the site allocations documents.

Members commented on the Borough Council’s involvement with Fenland District Council Plan.

The Principal Planner (Policy) highlighted that the communication needed to be managed carefully.

In response to questions, the Planner explained that when a site was submitted an email confirmation was sent.  If further information was required, the LDF Team would contact the person to try and obtain the details to complete the submission of the site.

AGREED:  1) The update report be noted.

2) Overview of the HELAA process to be given to the Task Group at the February meeting.

The Planner provided an update report as circulated with the Agenda.

Members were advised that Snettisham now had a designated area, but had been omitted from the plan.  The Planner undertook to revise the plan and circulate an amended version to the Task Group.

It was noted that Brancaster was currently reviewing their plan.  The LDF Manager would be assisting with the review process.

The Planner referred to the Neighbourhood Plan Bill and the Government White Paper which may have changes for Neighbourhood Plans.

The Principal Planner (Policy) reported that with the number of Neighbourhood Plans in progress and further ones being submitted, this would present an increase in workload for the small LDF team and would involve attending evening meetings.

A brief discussion took place on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which would be implemented on 15 February 2017.  The Chairman advised Members that a CIL Officer had been appointed to develop the structures required.  Consideration would be given to governance arrangements and criteria for spending the levy at a future Task Group meeting.

The Task Group expressed their thanks to the LDF Team for all their work and efforts to date.

AGREED:  The Task Group to receive a quarterly update.

To agree the schedule of Meetings, as follows:

Wednesday 18^th January 2017

Wednesday 15^th February 2017

Wednesday 15^th March 2017

Wednesday 12^th April 2017

Wednesday 17^th May 2017

Wednesday 14^th June 2017

Wednesday 19^th July 2017

Wednesday 13^th September 2017

Wednesday 11^th October 2017

Wednesday 15^th November 2017

Wednesday 13^th December 2017

All meetings to start at 10.00am in the Miles Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

AGREED:  The Task Group noted the schedule of Meeting Dates for 2017.

The 15 February meeting be rescheduled to 22 February 2017.

Councillor C J Crofts offered his apologies for the 18 January 2017 meeting.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 18^th January 2017 at 10.00am in the Miles Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Task Group would be held on Wednesday 18 January 2017 at 10.00 am in the Miles Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.