Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Buck and D Tyler.

The notes of the previous meeting held on 15 August 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

There were none.

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 none.

The Task Group received a presentation from the Environment Agency.

Members invited to asked questions.  The officers from the Environment Agency responded to questions relating to:

·         Role of Internal Drainage Boards.

·         Impact of Infrastructure within the Norfolk region.

·         Officers responsible for managing identifying projects and funding.

·         Investment required and partnership money policy.

·         Coastal protection.

·         Potential for creation of Wash Barrier.

·         Future management of flood risk in future years.

·         Effect of extreme weather conditions and surface water management.

·         Encouragement of porous surfaces to be used in future developments.

·         Beneficiaries.

·         Brexit results.

·         Government National Funding Model  - opportunity for local authorities to provide feedback by involving MP’s and Norfolk Leaders, etc.

·         Moving responsibility for main rivers from one organisation to another.

·         Applying the sequential test and issues experienced during the planning application process.

·         Role of Neighbourhood Plans in the planning process.

·         Build up on silt and required works.

·         Local authorities duty to co-operate role.

·         Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

·         Developer contributions – locally and cross boundary.

·         Raising public awareness.

·         Use of drones.

·         Great Ouse Tidal River Baseline Report.

·         The role of the Environment Agency in terms of flood risk management.

·         River Great Ouse and the Fens and the Key Flood Risk Infrastructure in King’s Lynn.

·         Potential introduction of local levy.

·         Oxford to Cambridge growth work.

The Chairman, Councillor Blunt thanked the Environment Agency for providing an informative presentation to the Task Group.

AGREED: 1) The Environment Agency to be invited to a pre-Council briefing early in 2019.

2) The Environment Agency to attend a future meeting of the Task Group at a date to be agreed.

·         Preparation timetable – progress update

·         Re-cap on housing number definition/timetable for Government release of figures (REPORT TO FOLLOW).

·         Update on Review of Strategic and Development Management Policies (REPORT TO FOLLOW)

The Planning Policy Manager and the Senior Planner provided an update on the following:

·         Timetable.

·         Strategic Policies, Development Management Policies.

·         Site allocations.

·         Draft version of the Local Plan review will be published for consultation.

·         Consultation responses will be considered and if required the Local Plan would be amended accordingly.

·         Opportunity for further sites to be proposed.

·         Overview of work yet to be completed.

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

·         Housing Numbers which were awaited.

·         Local Housing Need.

·         Strategic Flood Risk Assessments.

AGREED:  The update report be noted.

The Planning Policy Manager and Senior Planner presented the schedule of Strategic Policies and Development Management Policies.  The Task Group was advised that those which were listed in black, there was still work to complete, however, the policies listed in grey had been complete.

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

·         Green Infrastructure Study.

·         Landscape character.

·         Infrastructure provision.

·         Custom and Self Build.

·         Park Homes as permanent residence to be occupied on a 12 month basis.

·         Development associated with major employment areas.

·         Solar power be encouraged in new developments

·         Parking Standards and size of garage.  Definition of garage to be clarified by Norfolk County Council standards.

·         Sequential test in the planning process.

·         Strategic Flood Risk Assessments.

·         Role of Neighbourhood Plans in the planning process.

AGREED:  The Task Group would be provided with a first draft of the Local Plan review.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 10 October 2018 at 10 am in the Kempe Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 14 November 2018 at 10 am in the Kempe Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.