Agenda and minutes

1.         This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking.

2.         The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the Internet and will be capable of repeated viewing and copies of the recording could be made available for those that request it.

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 2 March 2009 (attached).

            RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 2 March 2009 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the inclusion of the name of Councillor J M Whitehouse in the list of apologies for absence and to the removal of his name under Minute 42.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

No substitutes had  been appointed.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct. 

(Head of Planning and Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Committee considered a report on a proposed Service Level Agreement between the Council and the Highway Authority on matters relating to planning and highway development control or management.

Members were advised that the lack of such an Agreement had led to a certain amount of interpretation, misunderstanding and confusion which had reflected on the timescales for responses from the Highway Authority, the quality of information provided and the relationships between the two authorities.

The Committee were advised that the proposed Service Level Agreement had been compiled by the Essex Planning Officers’ Association and was intended for adoption by the Highway Authority and all of the District and Borough Local Planning Authorities in the County.

Attention was drawn to a number of key issues contained within the proposed Agreement.  In recognition of performance indicators regarding the timeframe to make decisions on planning applications there was to be a commitment from Essex Highway Authority to provide a formal response to planning officers within 21 days of being notified.  Highway officers would attend pre?planning application meetings when required and planning committees when requested.  The Highway Authority would monitor highway and transportation issues in legal agreements and financial contributions would be spent in accordance with the requirements of such agreements.  Highway officers would present and defend the highway case at all types of appeals, unless a planning application had been refused on highway grounds against the Highway Authority recommendation or where not consulted.  However, where not consulted, the Highway Authority would provide support and assistance in preparing appeal statements.  The Agreement also committed the Highway Authority to assist with the resolution of highway related enforcement issues.

Members noted that generally the Highway Authority would not normally pay towards appeal costs awarded against a planning authority on planning grounds but that cost sharing on a case-by-case basis would be considered where highway matters were the only reason for objection and subsequent appeal.

Members sought clarification of a number of issues but generally welcomed the proposed agreement.

            RESOLVED:

            That the Head of Planning and Economic Development be authorised to enter into the agreement with Essex County Council Highway Authority entitled “Highway Authority Development Management Service Level Agreement with District and Borough Local Planning Authorities”.

(Head of Planning and Economic Development) To consider the attached report.

The Committee considered a report and received a presentation on proposed revised car parking standards issued by Essex County Council in conjunction with the Essex Planning Officers’ Association.  Members noted that they were being consulted on the draft document and that comments had to be submitted by 24 April 2009.

The Committee noted that the proposals included a fundamental change to move to minimum standards for trip origins (residential parking) and a greater emphasis on advice and best practice examples rather than just a list of standards.  The move to minimum standards for housing was supported by members of County and District Officers and Essex County Council considered this to be in line with emerging Government thinking, albeit that PGG-13-Transport currently supported maximum parking standards for residential areas. 

Members were advised that the proposals were being closely monitored by neighbouring counties as an example of emerging best practice.

Attention was drawn to proposed changes in relation to residential development, garages, parking bay sizes and areas, cycle parking standards, powered two?wheeler standards and part?time employees.

The Committee was advised that following the consultation period the proposals, amended if necessary, would be adopted by the County Council as a policy document to which weight would have to be given.  However, the document would not form part of the Development Plan in advance of the core strategy. 

Members welcomed the proposed increase in the minimum internal dimension size of garages but drew attention to the need for an equivalent increase in the width of garage doors failing which there could still be a reluctance to use garages for vehicles.  Members also questioned why the document could not be adopted in advance of the Core Strategy in the same way that the Council was being required to adopt Development Plan Provision for Gypsies and Travellers. 

            RESOLVED:

(1)         That the revised car parking standards entitled, “Parking Standards and Good Practice for Essex” issued by Essex County Council be supported subject to provision being made for a minimum garage door width size;  and

(2)         That the officers undertake further investigations into the possibility of the adopted standards becoming part of the Development Plan in advance of the core strategy.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs 6 and 25 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Chief Executive, before urgent business not specified in the agenda (including a supplementary agenda of which the statutory period of notice has been given) may be transacted.

In accordance with Operational Standing Order 6 (non-executive bodies), any item raised by a non-member shall require the support of a member of the Committee concerned and the Chairman of that Committee.  Two weeks' notice of non-urgent items is required.

There was no further business to be transacted at the meeting.