Agenda and minutes

Mr. M. Griffiths CC – for minute number 9.

It was moved, seconded and carried that Mr. M. Jones CC be appointed Deputy Chairman for the period ending with the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2004.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th March having been previously circulated were taken as read, confirmed and signed subject to the inclusion of the name of Mr. M.B. Page in the list of members present.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

Professor M. E. Preston, CC declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to Item 9 on the Agenda – “The Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan – Proposed Modifications.”  Professor Preston was a member of the Cabinet when the responses to the consultation on the Proposed Modification were agreed.

 

The following members declared personal non-prejudicial interests as either District, Town or Parish Councillors in relation to Item 9 – ‘The Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan – Proposed Modification:-

 

            Mr. N.J. Brown CC

            Mr. B. Chapman AE; CC

            Mr. S. Galton CC

            Mr. P.A. Hyde CC

            Mr. R. Jenkins CC

            Mr. M. Jones CC

            Mr. P.C. Osborne CC

            Mr. M.B. Page CC

            Dr. D. Pollard CC

            Lt. Col. P.A. Roffey DL CC

            Mr. N.J. Rushton CC

            Mrs. M. Sherwin CC

            Mr. R.M. Wilson CC

 

The following members declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in relation to Item 10 on the Agenda – “North West Leicestershire Community Strategy”:-

 

Mr. P.A. Hyde CC

Mr. N.J. Rushton CC

There were no declarations made under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16.

The Chief Executive reported that there were no petitions to be presented.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the responses of the Three Councils to representations made on the proposed modifications.  A copy of the report marked ‘A’ is filed with these minutes.

 

Professor M.E. Preston CC, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest on this matter withdrew from the room and did not participate in the discussion on this item.

 

In response to questions and comments made the Commission was advised:

 

(i)      the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) had objected to method of calculating the total housing requirement.  If the GOEM interpretation were to be correct this would mean an extra 900 homes for the Plan area.

 

(ii)     GOEM had indicated that they are minded to direct the Councils to modify the Plan in respect of the Green Belt (Strategy Policy 18);

 

(iii)    the Structure Plan, if adopted by the Three Councils, would remain in force until 2005 or until the Regional Planning Guidelines (RPG) were adopted.  The level of housing allocation with the Plan would remain in force until 2007 as the RPG review did not include housing allocation.  The policies and strategies within the Structure Plan would, if adopted, inform the RPG review;

 

Mr. M. Griffiths CC attended the meeting and raised concerns about the housing allocation particularly in Oadby and Wigston.  The Commission was advised that the amount of housing distributed to Districts had been a difficult issue but the allocations were consistent with the locational strategy of the Plan and took account of local circumstances.

 

Concern was expressed by members about the need to ensure that there was a range and mix of housing including affordable housing available at District level.  Officers advised that Government guidance had made it clear that there was a limited role for the Structure Plan relating to these issues.  Whilst the policies in relation to housing densities would assist, the key plan through which affordable housing could be delivered were the Local Plans produced at District level.

 

RESOLVED:

 

a)         That the decision of the Cabinet of 13^th May to:

 

(i)         approve the responses of the Three Councils to representations made on the Proposed Modifications as set out an Appendix 1 to the report,

 

(ii)        refuse to accept the late objections to the Proposed Modifications as set out in paragraph 39 of the report,

 

be noted

 

(b)       That the Cabinet be advised the Scrutiny Commission would support a recommendation being made to the County Council on 9^th July recommending Adoption of the Plan.

The Commission considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out the views of the five member panel established to consider and comment on Community Strategies.  A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the comments of the Panel as set out in Paragraph 6 of the report be supported and forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration.

The date of the Commission’s next meeting will be Wednesday, 18^th June 2003 at 2.30pm.

The Commission noted that the Scrutiny Reference Group would consider the date of the next meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28 May 2003                        CHAIRMAN

2.30 p.m. – 3.35 p.m.