Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor T Parish.

AGREED:  Councillor C J Crofts be appointed Vice Chair for the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2020 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 M de Whalley declared an interest as a Trustee of the Fenland Allotment Trust in relation to Policy E6.1.1.

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 a decision on that item is taken.

Councillor A Kemp was present under Standing Order 34.

There was no Chair’s Correspondence.

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Councillor A Kemp was present under Standing Order 34 for this item.

Members were informed that the following two consultations were currently being undertaken by Government.

The Planning Policy Manager, Principal Planner (Policy) explained that the Planning for the Future White Paper had been published on 6 August and responses were required by 29 October. 

Details of the consultation can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/planning-for-the-future

Officers responded to questions in relation to:

·         Regeneration, growth, renewal and protected areas.

·         Design codes/design statements will provide guidance when an application is submitted.

·         Growth and development inside/outside development boundaries – role and scope of Neighbourhood Plans.

·         Future local plans – no local development management policies will be included and therefore shorter in length, easily accessible.

·         Housing Numbers.

·         Democratic input not entirely clear.

·         National Design Guide.

·         Local Design Code to be prepared at the same time as the Local Plan.

·         One consultation point on future Local Plans.

·         Posting of planning notices on lampposts – proposal for this to cease.  Digitising of the planning system is envisaged to speed up the process. Register on Borough Council website to get automatic notification of planning proposed in your area.  Idenfity a way to work with Parish Councils to ensure residents are made aware of planning proposals within their area.  The Chair advised that each Parish Council and the Local Press received a weekly list of planning applications.

·         Importance of the Parish Councils be encouraged to continue and develop a neighbourhood plan.

·         The two Consultation documents are available on the Government website which can be accessed by Parish Councils and the public.

·         Borough Councillor role and link to Parish Councils.

·         CIL and Local Infrastructure Tax – variations, tax could be used to support affordable housing, when the tax would become payable to be collected locally.  Proposed changed provided more certainty for developers. How tax is calculated. 

·         Development management was discussed under the consultation on planning reforms.

·         Role of the Borough Council’s Planning Committee.

·         Role of Local Plan.

·         Delivery of Design Guide for whole Borough.

The Task Group was advised that the Government had also published a consultation setting out proposals to improve the effectiveness of the current planning system.  The consultation would close on 1 October.  The Planning Policy Manager outlined the proposed changes as set out below:

·         Standing method for assessing housing need.

·         Delivering First Homes.

·         S106 and Small Sites.

·         Permission in Principle.

Details of the consultation can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-the-current-planning-system

The Planning Policy Manager referred to the “appreciation summary” circulated with the Agenda, which set out a summary and implications of the above two consultation papers.

The Chair proposed that the Task Group consider the consultation papers on a section by section basis.

Officers responded to questions relating to the two consultation papers, a summary of which is set out below:

Changes to the Planning System

Local Plans – New Format

·         Local Plans – new format - Borough  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider the remaining items from the meeting held on 2 September 2020 (to commence with LP36 King’s Lynn Policy).

Please click link below to view published Agenda:

https://democracy.west-norfolk.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=409&MId=4319&Ver=4

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This item was deferred to the additional meeting scheduled for 30 September 2020.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 7 October 2020 at 11 am via Zoom.

The next scheduled meeting of the Task Group will be held on 7 October 2020 at 11 am via Zoom.

The Chair proposed that an additional meeting be held on 30 September 2020 at 1 pm via zoom to which the Task Group agreed.