Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs S Buck.

The notes of the meeting held on 31 January 2019 were agreed as a correct record, subject to the following amendment:

8          Local Plan Review – Draft for consultation

            5^th paragraph:  To be amended to read:

            “A discussion took place on “at least” remaining in the consultation document. The Chairman, Councillor Blunt proposed that the Planning Policy Manager draft amended wording to be circulated to the Task Group for agreement before he presented the additional recommendation to Cabinet, to which the Task Group agreed.”

Councillor Parish asked for it to be recorded that he did not agree with the proposal set out above.  Councillor Parish emailed an alternative proposal, which he would present to Cabinet on 5 February 2019.

There were no maters 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.

Councillor J Moriarty was present under Standing Order 34 for all agenda items.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt referred to the exchange of emails within the Task Group regarding amended wording at end of paragraph 4.1.16.

An alternative proposal had been emailed by Councillor Parish which he would present to Cabinet on 5 February 2019.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt informed Members that Cabinet had approved the Local Plan Review Draft for consultation with the additional recommendation from the Task Group regarding “at least.”  The Chairman advised that there was still work to be undertaken to ensure the interactive element on the website was working prior to the consultation period commencing on 4 March 2019. 

The Principal Planner explained that the Policy Team are scheduled to meet with the Web Team on the 11 February 2019 to finalise amendments to the interactive mapping.  Following the meeting and associated work it is anticipated that an updated version of the interactive mapping would be available for testing around the 24 February 2019.  The Leader, Councillor Long and Portfolio Holder Councillor Blunt had already volunteered to take part in the testing, Councillor Blunt invited the Task Group to participate in this.

The Planning Policy Manager/Principal Planner provided a verbal overview on the consultation process which would commence on 4 March 2019 for a period of 6 weeks.  Members were advised that an email would be sent out to those that expressed an interest in previous consultation exercises including Parish Councils, statutory consultees, other consultees, and neighbouring local authorities.  A News Release would also be sent out advising of the consultation exercise.  Social media would also be used as well as written letters to those who do not have access to email.

The Planning Policy Manager explained that there was no legal requirement to publish a notice in the local press.  The Government had moved to an on-line process.  The Council had taken the decision not to place an advert in the local press.

It was suggested that a press conference be scheduled to brief press officers on the consultation process.

The Planning Policy Manager, Principal Planner responded to questions relating to:

·         Consultation process.

·         Purdah requirements.

·         Statement of Community Involvement.

·         Importance of glossary being included in the document.  The Task Group was invited to forward any other suggestions for inclusion in the glossary direct to the Planning Policy team.

·         Reasons why the number of consultees had reduced from the previous consultation exercise.

·         Role of Neighbourhood Plans/Process to follow when undertaking a Neighbourhood Plan/main contact person/weight give to a Neighbourhood Plan during the planning application process.  It was suggested that an email be sent to Parish Councils with a sentence to include that the information be shared with the neighbourhood plan group.

·         Submission of comments to allocated sites, those not allocated.

·         Opportunity for the public to submit new sites which would undergo the rigorous assessment process.

·         Post consultation process – responses presented to the Task Group on a settlement basis.  Sites will be assessed by the Task Group using the same methodology as previous.

·         Revision of Local Plan on a regular basis.  Once a Local Plan was adopted, the authority had 5 years from the date to revise the Plan.

·         Reference to Custom and Self Build in the document (LP26).

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt explained that drop in sessions would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 11.00 am in Meeting Room 2-4, Second Floor, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Local Plan Task Group would take place on Wednesday 6 March 2019 at 11.00 am in Meeting Room 2-4, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.