Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 December 2022 were agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

Page 7:  Paragraph 7 – Councillor Kemp did not support the recommendation.

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 Chair of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

Councillor C Morley was present under Standing Order 34 (Zoom).

There was no Chair’s Correspondence.

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube

The Chair welcomed Mr Tim Leader, legal adviser to the Council and invited Mr Leader to introduce himself and to provide an overview of the issues to be addressed by the Task Group.

Mr Leader introduced himself and outlined the reasons why the Inspector had adjourned the Local Plan Examination Hearing together with the issues which the Task Group were required to address set out in the Inspector’s Letter which had been published with the Agenda for the meeting.

The Chair invited the Task Group to consider each recommendation as set out below:

That Cabinet notes the contents of this report and recommends to Council that the draft Local Plan previously approved by Full Council be amended as follows:

Recommendation 1

The Assistant Director, Planning Policy Manager and Legal Adviser responded to comments and questions from the Task Group and Councillor Morley (Standing Order 34) in relation to:

·       Interpretation of the Inspector’s Letter and proposal to deleted reference to the term ‘A10/Main Rail Line Strategic Growth Corridor.

·       Comments made by the Inspector at the Local Plan Examination hearings in relation to strategic growth in West Winch.

·       Housing Access Road to be built before additional housing developed – Borough Council working with Norfolk County Council.

·       Deadline for response to the Inspector’s letter.

·       Approval of Levelling up Bill currently working its way through Parliament and potential implications for the Council.

·       Potential timescale for adoption of currently Local Plan.

·       Sustainable development across the Borough.

·       Role and implication of Neighbourhood Plans.

·       Designated Neighbourhood areas.

Councillor Kemp drew the Task Group’s attention to page 7, paragraph 3  …. The Planning Policy Manager advised that the number of houses were determined by the Housing Needs Assessment …….  In response, the Planning Policy Manager advised that the statement was not correct.  The Chair asked the Democratic Services Officer to review the recording and determine what was said by the Planning Policy Manager circulate a revised set of minutes to the Task Group.

The Task Group supported the recommendation to Cabinet.

Councillor de Whalley voted against recommendation 1.

RESOLVED:  That reference to the term ‘A10/Main Rail Line Strategic Growth Corridor’ is deleted from the Plan.

Recommendation 2

The Assistant Director, Planning Policy Manager and Legal Adviser responded to comments and questions from the Task Group and Councillor Morley (Standing Order 34) in relation to:

·       Consultation undertaken with Parish Councils in relation to the settlement hierarchy.

·       Evidence required by the Inspector to demonstrate the consultation undertaken with Parish Councils.

·       Six week consultation exercise.

·       Proposed changes to the Settlement Hierarchy.

·       Role of Neighbourhood Plans.

·       Categories set out in the Settlement Hierarchy.

·       Settlement Hierarchy – objective assessment and criteria set out in the Core Strategy.

Councillor de Whalley asked if the Borough Council could write to Parish Councils affected by the proposed changes.  In response, the Policy Planning Manager explained that all parishes would be written to informing them of the six week consultation exercise, which is required following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To be advised.

To be scheduled when required.