Issue - meetings

(Place – Cllr N Bedford) To note the progress of Strategic Masterplans, Concept Frameworks and Planning Performance Agreements (Appendix A – attached). To agree the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2022/2023 (Appendix B – attached) (C-030-2023-24).

(1)           That the Cabinet noted the progress of Strategic Masterplans and Concept Frameworks, including the use of Planning Performance Agreements and the progress of proposals at pre-application and application stage (see Appendix A of the agenda report).

(2)           That the Cabinet agreed the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2022/2023 (see Appendix B of the agenda report) for online publication by 31 December 2023.

Councillor N Bedford (Place Portfolio Holder) introduced the report which provided the Cabinet with an update on the progress of Local Plan implementation in relation to the Strategic Masterplans, Concept Framework Plans and Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) within the District, including major projects and planning applications dealt with by the team. The Infrastructure Funding Statement to financial year 2022/2023 set out s106 legal agreements completed in that year, the types and values of contributions included in the agreements and the monies paid to the Council.

District & County Councillor H Whitbread commented that Essex County Council Highways were consulted on planning applications but did not consult with the Local Highways Panel (LHP) or on detailed schemes Essex County Councillors were involved with. What extra steps would the Council be taking as she recommended that County Councillors were consulted on draft master plan applications? N Finney (Interim Implementation Team Manager) replied that on large schemes the County Council was involved with pre-application negotiations, which went beyond highway safety. He did take the LHP on board and would feature it in the future. He agreed with Councillor H Whitbread that County Councillors would be consulted on draft master plan applications.

Councillor Jon Whitehouse asked if s106 values were indexed linked for interest. N Finney replied s106 monies were index linked to the point they were paid and then spent as soon as possible, given the inflation situation. There was a large amount in the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (EFSAC) mitigation monies. Some had been passed to the City of London Corporation, other s106 monies covered air quality mitigation schemes, affordable housing provision for EFDC Housing and primary healthcare, as the new Integrated Care Board was established.

Councillor D Wixley asked about the mitigation measures the monies were being spent on for Epping Forest. N Finney replied that a range of measures were being investigated and some monies were being used on monitoring and updated traffic surveys. Councillor J Philip advised Councillor Wixley to look at the Council minutes during 2016 when he gave a response on this.

Councillor J Philip sought clarification in Appendix A on the ‘Delivery due to commence dates’ for the Masterplan and Concept Frameworks areas. Councillor N Bedford replied that discussions were taking place on the hospital in East Harlow and developers had come forward. The Quality Review Panel were reviewing planning proposals on development schemes, so there was ongoing progression.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendation and the decision.

Decision:

(1)           That the Cabinet noted the progress of Strategic Masterplans and Concept Frameworks, including the use of Planning Performance Agreements and the progress of proposals at pre-application and application stage (see Appendix A of the agenda report).

(2)        That the Cabinet agreed the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2022/2023 (see Appendix B of the agenda report) for online publication by 31 December 2023.