Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Panel noted that Councillor K Faulkner was attending the meeting as a substitute for Councillor A Lee.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declarations were made pursuant to Part of the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Panel and associated Work Programme. This is attached. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

The Panel considered their Terms of Reference and Work Plan.

(a)               East of England Plan (Work Plan item 4).

Noted that that the examination in public for the East of England Plan, which was  due to start in September 2005  had been deferred to November 2005. To reflect this it was agreed that the report deadline for the plan be amended to read  ‘By November 2005 for examination in public’. Noted that the next meeting would consider the issue in depth and a response.

(b)              Re use of buildings in the Green Belt/Local Plan and Scheme. (Work Plan items 2 and 3).

The Panel agreed that the review of Buildings in the Green Belt and the Local Plan and Scheme   be combined and dealt with at the next meeting.

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 29 June 2005. (Attached).

The Panel considered the minutes of the West Essex Management Joint Committee held on 29 June 2005.

The Portfolio Holder for Environmental Protection presented the minutes. He reported the timescale for the procurement and implementation of the emerging County Wide Waste management Contract. He agreed to identify the sums generated by the County and District bids to DEFRA for recycling initiatives.

Agreed that the County Waste Management Business Plan (to be reported to DEFRA around October 2005) be submitted and considered by the Panel at an appropriate future meeting.

ACTION:

The Portfolio Holder for Environmental Protection to report to the next meeting.

Head of Planning and Economic Development to report.

The Head of Planning and Economic Development drew attention to the revised Local Plan. He explained that the alterations were  due to go out to consultation at the end of August 2005. Once responses to the exercise had been assessed the framework would be considered by the Cabinet and need to be completed in time for the Public Enquiry scheduled for Summer 2006.

The Head of Planning and Economic Development advised that the alterations could raise the Council’s Development Control performance and would  include  policies on regional planning guidance and  new glasshouse  initiatives such as the E13.  He reported that the timescale and resource implications  for the completion of the alterations was challenging. He advised that attention should  be paid to these issues before the decision was made to go ahead with the changes. The next meeting would consider the matter further and receive a progress report.

The Head of Planning and Economic Development also reported that the government had formulated proposals designed to simplify the planning system. It was noted that further developments on this would be reported.

Head of Planning and Economic Development to report.

The Head of Planning and Economic Development reported that the Examination in Public (EIP) for the Plan had been delayed due to staffing issues at regional level. He drew attention to the draft list of participants for the EIP. He advised that the list indicated that North Weald, Roydon , Epping Upland and Nazeing Parish Councils and  PORA had not yet been invited to participate at discussions  at the EIP. It was noted that the Head of Forward Planning had written to the EIP on behalf of the Council to express concerns about inconsistencies within the draft list of participants and the exclusion of the four local interests. It was agreed that representatives of the groups be invited to the next meeting to report their concerns and consider a way forward. The Head of Planning and Economic Development agreed to contact MPs for the areas to make representations about the participation arrangements and report back to the Panel.

ACTION:        

Z Folley to write to North Weald, Roydon , Epping Upland and Nazeing Parish Councils and  PORA  to invite them to the next meeting.

The Head of Planning and Economic Development to invite the Head of Forward Planning to the next meeting.

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel.

The Panel agreed that the next meeting of the Committee would take place on 13 September 2005 at 7.30 in CR2