Agenda and minutes

This virtual meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to unmute before speaking.

The Team Manager - Democratic & Electoral Services will read the following announcement:

“The Chairman would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties). Thereby by participating in this virtual meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes. If members of the public do not wish to have their image captured they should ensure that their video setting throughout the virtual meeting is turned off and set to audio only.

Please also be aware that if technical difficulties interrupt the meeting that cannot be overcome, the Chairman may need to adjourn the meeting.”

The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

(Monitoring Officer) To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

(a)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor S Murray declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3 by virtue of being a member and an ambassador of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, he advised that he would remain in the meeting and vote on this item.

(b)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor D Wixley declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3 by virtue of being a member of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, he advised that he would remain in the meeting and vote on this item.

(c)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J H Whitehouse declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3 by virtue of being a member of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, he advised that she would remain in the meeting and vote on this item.

(d)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor B Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3 by virtue of being a member of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, he advised that he would remain in the meeting and vote on this item.

(e)             Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J Jennings declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3 by virtue of being a member of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, she advised that he would remain in the meeting and vote on this item.

(f)              Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor J M Whitehouse declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3 by virtue of being a member of the Epping Forest Heritage Trust, he advised that he would remain in the meeting and vote on this item.

To consider any motions, notice of which has been given under the Council’s rules of procedure.

(a)        Epping Forest District Council

Proposed by:   Councillor Chris Pond

Seconded by:  Councillor Stephen Murray

                        Councillor Jon Whitehouse

                        Councillor Stephen Neville

                        Councillor Michael Owen

“The Council hereby declares that:

(i)         it will determine planning applications only on the basis of the law, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other National Planning Guidance, the 1998 Local Plan, and the latest iteration of the new Local Plan, incorporating provisions which have been approved after consultation with the public and examination by the Inspector; and

(ii)        the Interim Air Quality Strategy December 2020, and any prospect of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) made under it, unless and until it has been approved and so incorporated by her, together with evidence the CAZ can be implemented prior to the erection and completion of any new housing, cannot carry any material planning weight and should be treated as wholly null and void.”

(a)        Epping Forest District Council

Moved by Councillor Chris Pond and seconded by Councillor Jon Whitehouse

“That this Council resolves:

(i)         it will determine planning applications only on the basis of the law, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other National Planning Guidance, the 1998 Local Plan, and the latest iteration of the new Local Plan, incorporating provisions which have been approved after consultation with the public and examination by the Inspector; and

(ii)        the Interim Air Quality Strategy December 2020, and any prospect of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) made under it, unless and until it has been approved and so incorporated by her, together with evidence the CAZ can be implemented prior to the erection and completion of any new housing, cannot carry any material planning weight and should be treated as wholly null and void.”

Amendment moved by Councillor N Bedford and seconded by Councillor J Philip

“That the following amendments be made to the motion:

(i)         deletion of wording at the end of paragraph (i) “incorporating provisions which have been approved after consultation with the public and examination by the Inspector; and”

(ii)        deletion of paragraph (ii) and substitution of the following revised paragraph:  

“that the Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability will form a cross party Portfolio Holder Advisory Group in no more than 1 month from the date of this resolution;”

(iii)       addition of a new paragraph (iii)

“the Group is formed to support the Portfolio Holder in the delivery of the Interim Air Pollution Mitigation Strategy and provide oversight of the work of the Technical Stakeholder Group.  This could include working with officers to identify where further initiatives not identified in the APMS could be brought forward to advance Air Quality Improvements with the objective of removing the need to introduce a Clean Air Zone (CAZ).   Alongside the acceleration and enhancement of mitigation measures the Portfolio Holder Advisory Group will provide democratic oversight of the development of any CAZ scheme prior to its consideration through the Council’s formal decision-making processes and public consultation on it in the event that future air quality monitoring and modelling continues to demonstrate that, even after the acceleration and enhancement mitigation measures, a CAZ is required”.

Carried

Motion as amended ADOPTED

            RESOLVED:

            The Council hereby declares that:

(i)         it will determine planning applications only on the basis of the law, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other National Planning Guidance, the 1998 Local Plan, and the latest iteration of the new Local Plan;

(ii)        that the Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability will form a cross party Portfolio Holder Advisory Group in no more than 1 month from the date of this resolution; and

(iii)       the Group is formed to support the Portfolio Holder in the delivery of the Interim Air Pollution Mitigation Strategy and provide oversight of the work of the Technical Stakeholder Group.  This could include working with officers to identify where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.