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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
JOINT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT ADVISORY GROUP AND LEISURE AND PROSPERITY OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
Minutes of the meeting held on
Monday 21 February 2011
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Present: |
Councillor Lusty (Chairman), and Councillors Barned, Burton, English, Field, Harwood, Horne, Mrs Joy, Marchant, Nelson-Gracie, Paine, Pickett, Robertson, Mrs Smith, J.A. Wilson and Mrs Wilson |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Daley |
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1. Apologies for Absence
An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Chittenden.
2. Urgent Items
There were no urgent items.
3. Notification of Substitute Members
It was noted that Councillor Field was a substitute for Councillor Chittenden.
4. Notification of Visiting Members
Councillor Daley indicated his wish to speak on agenda item 10 – report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment – Infrastructure Delivery Plan Progress.
5. Election of Chairman for the Meeting
RESOLVED: That Councillor Lusty be elected Chairman for this meeting.
6. Disclosures by Members and Officers
Councillor Marchant declared a personal interest in agenda items 9, 10 and 11 regarding the Core Strategy as he lives in Otham.
7. Disclosures of Lobbying
There were no disclosures of Lobbying.
8. Exempt Items
RESOLVED: That the Items on the Agenda be taken in public as proposed.
9. Core Strategy 2006-2026: Next Steps
The Joint Committee considered the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment regarding the next steps to public participation for the Core Strategy, amendments to the draft vision and objectives and the local connection criterion for gypsy and traveller accommodation.
Officers responded to Members’ queries relating to, inter alia, the South East Maidstone Strategic Link (“SEMSL”), surface water flooding, the order in which regeneration takes place and the local connection criteria for gypsy and traveller accommodation.
RESOLVED:
1. That the amendments to the draft spatial vision and objectives for the Core Strategy as set out in the report of the Director of Change Planning and the Environment, be noted.
2. That Cabinet be recommended:-
i) That the Core Strategy policy for gypsy and traveller accommodation does not include a local connection criterion.
ii) To re-affirm their support for the Leeds/Langley By-Pass and that reference to the SEMSL be deleted from the Core Strategy and all relevant documents.
10. Infrastructure Delivery Plan Progress
The Joint Committee considered the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment regarding the progress made on the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.
Members raised concerns with regard to some of the indicative infrastructure costs received from partners, such as funding for adult social services, and sought clarification as to exactly what was included in some of the figures, e.g. costs for improvements to water and sewerage in Rural Service Centres, and when the PCT figures will be available. Officers agreed to look at this and provide the information for Members at a later date.
Members felt it was important that a full and comprehensive risk assessment is carried out so that the infrastructure is put in place before the development is built.
Officers assured a member that, in future, when referring to green spaces it will state this includes blue infrastructure and natural and semi-natural open space and not just playing fields etc.
Members were assured that the stated amount for Further/Higher Education included funding for a University campus, in line with Members’ aspirations; and that the infrastructure was climate change proof.
RESOLVED: That the progress made on the Infrastructure Delivery Plan be noted.
11. Core Strategy Consultation Spring 2011
The Joint Committee considered the report of the Director of Change, Planning and the Environment regarding the approach to consultation on the Core Strategy document.
Members were concerned about the consultation period as it took place during the election period and suggested that it was delayed by 4 weeks, therefore starting after the election. Officers stated they would ask for Legal advice on this matter.
Concern was also raised that the strategy would include “promoting growth at the west of Maidstone urban area as part of the strategy” as it was not felt appropriate to highlight one single area. Officers agreed to remove this sentence.
A member suggested that when consulting Parishes that perhaps some of the smaller Parishes could get together and have a joint meeting where the Officers undertook the consultation.
RESOLVED:
1. That the report be noted.
2. That Officers seek legal advice with regard to the consultation taking place during the election.
12. Duration of Meeting
6.30 p.m. to 8.50 p.m.