Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Cabinet Committee held on 31 July 2007 (attached).

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2007 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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

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

“1.        To monitor and submit recommendations to the Cabinet as appropriate on:

(a)        Strategic land use issues relating to the future development of the Airfield;

(b)        Strategic matters relating to the business, recreational and other activities conducted there; and

(c)        Proposals for redevelopment of the Airfield or its disposal.

2.         The Committee’s Terms of Reference shall not extend to decision-making on existing Council activities on the site, which shall remain the prerogative of the relevant Portfolio Holders within the Cabinet or the Cabinet itself”.

The Cabinet Committee noted its Terms of Reference.

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 require 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.

It was noted that there was no other urgent business for consideration by the Cabinet Committee.

To consider the attached report.

The Forward Planning Manager presented a report regarding the possible implications for the Airfield of the housing and employment targets set by the East of England Plan. The Cabinet Committee were reminded that the adopted East of England Plan had set a minimum target of 3,500 new homes for the District by 2021, with the Council encouraged to make greater provision. The District’s figure had been theoretically reduced to approximately 500 through the subtraction of the number of houses built since 2001, the Plan’s nominal start date. In addition, the Plan had stipulated that a group of seven authorities, collectively referred to as the ‘Rest of Essex’, had to make provision for 56,000 new jobs in total during the same period. A review had already begun to roll the Plan forward to 2031, with the Government indicating that they wanted annual housebuilding rates to increase significantly in the period 2021 to 2031.

The Forward Planning Manager stated that in making provision for an additional 500 houses within the District before 2021, it was possible that capacity could be found within the existing settlements. However, in order to address perceived housing needs up to 2031, the identification of further potential sites would be required with a possible review of green belt boundaries. All the towns and the larger villages within the District would be included in the assessment, including North Weald and the Airfield. It was possible that some potential for small-scale residential and commercial development in North Weald and the Airfield would be identified. However, in the context of the East of England Plan and the achievement of sustainable development, North Weald and the Airfield did not appear to be suitable locations for major development in the period up to 2031.

The Leader of the Council added that East Herts District Council was not prepared to engage in dialogue with the Council and Harlow District Council until the forthcoming judicial review of the East of England Plan, initiated by Hertfordshire County Council, was complete. The judicial decision was expected in either September or October this year, and therefore discussions concerning the proposed expansion of Harlow to the north, including East Herts District Council, were on hold. The Forward Planning Manager remarked that the East of England Plan did not specify the types of jobs to be created, and that aviation related jobs would be acceptable.

RESOLVED:

That, as a result of the need to identify potential sites for housing and employment for the adopted East of England Plan, the possible implications for North Weald Airfield be noted.

(Deputy Chief Executive) To consider the attached report.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented a report concerning the possible future options for North Weald Airfield based upon a previous study produced ten years ago. The Cabinet Committee was reminded that this report had been published by Property and Valuation Consultants Drivers Jones with a brief to review the potential options for North Weald Airfield. After a thorough examination of the alternatives, including transport and infrastructure studies, the following six potential options were identified:

(i)         do nothing/incremental development;

(ii)        disposal of airfield;

(iii)       develop airfield for aviation and other commercial uses;

(iv)       consolidate aviation use and develop other uses;

(v)        close airfield and develop mixed site use; and

(vi)       develop airfield with the adjoining land.

The Deputy Chief Executive added that the study had been subject to a public consultation and a new popular option had emerged, promoted by the existing airfield tenants, namely Business Aviation development. Due to the development of the East of England Plan, the Council did not proceed with any of the options identified by either Drivers Jones or the public consultation, however following the publication of the East of England Plan, there was now an opportunity to review the long-term future of the airfield. The Cabinet Committee were reminded that the Council currently did not have the necessary expertise or capacity to undertake such a review, and that consultants would be required for which no budgetary provision had been made. It was highlighted that any additional resources agreed would actually need to be allocated from the District Development Fund (DDF), not the Continuing Services Budget as stated in the report.

The Chairman agreed that a strategic plan was required for the Airfield, however her preference was for incremental development. As a ward member for North Weald Bassett, the Chairman also stated that residents had consistently supported aviation use in the past and had been keener on further aviation use than major housing developments. The Chairman felt that residents might resent any further large-scale developments at the Airfield by the Council and as such would not support further business or major housing developments at the Airfield.

The Leader of the Council maintained that the Council needed a plan for the future development of the Airfield that examined all the possible future options, otherwise there was a risk that its future use would be determined by the Government rather than local people. This plan should examine the feasibility of general employment, aviation and housing developments at the Airfield, although the Leader acknowledged that the Airfield's proximity to Stansted could preclude certain commercial aviation uses.

The Housing Portfolio Holder, also a ward member for North Weald Bassett, reminded the Cabinet Committee that the Council originally purchased the Airfield for leisure purposes and that the lack of a strategic plan for the Airfield had almost led to it being designated as a major housing development site by the East of England Plan. The Portfolio Holder felt that a plan was required to show that the Council supported aviation use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider whether, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act indicated:

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items which are confidential under Section 100(A)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972:

Paragraph 9 of the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution require:

(1)       All business of the Council requiring to be transacted in the presence of the press and public to be completed by 10.00 p.m. at the latest.

(2)       At the time appointed under (1) above, the Chairman shall permit the completion of debate on any item still under consideration, and at his or her discretion, any other remaining business whereupon the Council shall proceed to exclude the public and press.

(3)       Any public business remaining to be dealt with shall be deferred until after the completion of the private part of the meeting, including items submitted for report rather than decision.

Background Papers:  Paragraph 8 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution define background papers as being documents relating to the subject matter of the report which in the Proper Officer's opinion:

(a)       disclose any facts or matters on which the report or an important part of the report is based;  and

(b)       have been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report does not include published works or those which disclose exempt or confidential information (as defined in Rule 10) and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.

Inspection of background papers may be arranged by contacting the officer responsible for the item.

RESOLVED:

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on the grounds that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

Agenda                                                                                   Exempt Information

Item No.          Subject                                                           Paragraph Number

8                North Weald Airfield – Extensions of Existing            3

                  Leases and Licences.

9                North Weald Airfield – Contact with Interested           3

                  Parties/Developers.

11              North Weald Airfield – Terms of Leases and            3

                  Licences.

(Deputy Chief Executive) To consider the attached report.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented a report concerning the extension of existing leases and licences at North Weald Airfield. The Cabinet Committee were advised that the majority of the leases without security of tenure on renewal were due to expire in 2010. The tenants were now generally aware that the Airfield had not been included in the East of England Plan as a site for potential major development and were concerned that they had no legal right to remain on the airfield after 2010. In addition, some of the tenants wished to carry out some developments or improvements to their sites, and were actively seeking lease extensions which would enable them to obtain a return on their investment. Thus, it was felt that there was a need in the short-term to grant a number of new leases with break clauses as appropriate pending any longer term plans that the Council might implement for the Airfield.

RECOMMENDED:

That, for those tenants with leases without security of tenure on renewal at North Weald Airfield which are largely due to terminate in 2010, new ten-year leases be offered with five years guaranteed, annual landlord break clauses only thereafter, and such a lease to ensure no future guaranteed tenure under the relevant Landlord and Tenants Act.

(Deputy Chief Executive) To consider the attached report.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented a report relating to the unsolicited contact made by interested parties and developers for North Weald Airfield and tabled a list of such approaches made since February 2000. The Cabinet Committee was informed that, following the publication of the East of England Plan, the Council had received further unsolicited approaches, predominantly from companies in the Business Aviation industry, expressing an interest in the future development or management of North Weald Airfield. These inquiries had been handled in the manner agreed by the North Weald Airfield Working Party and Policy and Coordinating Committee in 2000, namely that the details had been recorded by the Director of Planning & Economic Development and that the interested parties were advised that it was premature to enter into detailed discussions regarding possible proposals. Details of individual inquiries were available from the Estates section, and the Cabinet Committee were asked to reaffirm the current approach until such time as a decision had been made regarding the long-term future of the Airfield.

RECOMMENDED:

That, with respect to contact with interested parties and developers, the Council’s current policy be continued until such time as it may be amended to reflect changed circumstances.

(Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Support Services) To note the terms of existing leases and licences – restricted schedule attached.

The Cabinet Committee noted the terms of the existing leases and licences currently in operation at North Weald Airfield.