Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Bubb and Mrs S Buck.

The notes of the meeting held on 6 February 2019 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.

Councillor Tilbrook declared an interest as Chairman of Congham Cricket Ground.

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 T Tilbrook was present under Standing Order 34 for all items.

There was no Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt, Planning Policy Manager and Principal Planner provided feedback from the drop in session held in Downham Market on 5 March 2019.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt, Planning Policy Manager and Principal Planner responded to questions and comments relating to:

·         Growth areas would bring new investment into the area.

·         Consultation process/length of consultation period and how Parish Councils, interested parties and the general public had been made aware of the consultation exercise.  It was noted that a press briefing had also taken place to which was well attended by the local media.  Radio interviews had also taken place and Members were advised that the responses from the consultation exercise would be assessed and analysed.

·         Role of Ward Councillors to inform their constituents of the Consultation on the Local Plan Review.

·        Parishes and development boundaries, in particular, Congham. It was noted that following comments, the next version of the document would include an amended inset map to show all parts of Congham. However, via the interactive map clearly all of the settlement and its development boundary are available to view.

·         Interactive map on the website where members of the public could view a particular locality.

·         Next stage of the review process – an overview of the work required was outlined to enable officers to get the plan ready towards the end of 2019.

·         Methodology and rationale for allocation of sites.  Members were advised that members of the public could challenge any element of the plan.

The Planning Policy Manager informed those present that individual comments were very much welcomed in response to the consultation process.

The Task Group received a presentation from the Planning Policy Manager and Principal Planner (copy attached).

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

·         The technical changes to the recently published NPPF – Clarification to the definition of Local Housing Need, clarification to the definition of deliverable, alignment with Habitats Regulations.

·         Changes to the Planning Policy Guidance.

·         Housing Delivery Test, Action Plan/monitoring..

·         Borough Council building houses.

·         Deliverable sites.

·         Five year land supply.

The Task Group received a presentation from the Planning Policy Manager and Principal Planner (copy attached).

The Planning Policy Manager and Principal Planner responded to questions and comments relating to:

·         Potential for current neighbourhood plan groups providing mentoring/assistance to other groups commencing the neighbourhood plan process.

·         Process for reviewing and updating neighbourhood plans.

·         Role of neighbourhood plan in the planning process.

·         Briefing to be scheduled for Parish Councils in 2019.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt on behalf of the Task Group thanked officers for their input into the assistance given to Neighbourhood Plan groups.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 10 April 2019 at 10 am in Meeting Room 2-4, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 10 April 2019 at 10 am in Meeting Room 2-4, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.