Agenda and minutes

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

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

To confirm the minutes of the previous two meetings of the Cabinet Committee held on:

(a)        14 September 2010; and

(b)        4 October 2010.

RESOLVED:

(1)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2010 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record; and

(2)        That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2010 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note the Terms of reference for the Cabinet Committee, as agreed by the Council on 17 February 2009; minute 113(a) refers.

(1)        That a Local Development Framework Cabinet Committee be appointed with the following terms of reference:

(a)        To oversee and submit recommendations to the Cabinet as appropriate on:

(i)         the preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF);

(ii)        the preparation of the Core Strategy including agreement of consultation stages and documentation, and the responses that should be made to any representations received;

(iii)       the preparation of other Development Plan Documents including agreement of consultation stages and documentation, and the responses that should be made to any representations received;

(iv)       the preparation of Supplementary Planning Documents including agreement of consultation stages and documentation, and the responses that should be made to any representations received; and

(v)        the revision of the Local Development Scheme and monitoring the achievement of milestones;

(b)        To consider and provide input to consultants’ reports which contribute to the establishment of an up-to-date evidence base to influence preparation of the LDF;

(c)        To consider options for joint or coordinated working with other councils, which best meet the needs of this District, as required by the East of England Plan and (where relevant) the London Plan and to make recommendations to the Cabinet thereon;

(d)        To consider the comprehensive review of the East of England Plan, and make recommendations to the Cabinet on any responses to be made;

(e)        To liaise with the Planning Services Scrutiny Standing Panel as appropriate; and

(f)         To work within the budgetary provision for the LDF, as approved by the Cabinet and the Council.

The Cabinet Committee noted its Terms of Reference, as agreed by the Council on 17 February 2009 (minute 113(a) refers).

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) To consider the attached report (LDF-012-2010/11).

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report upon the Employment Land Review.

The Principal Planning Officer stated that the Employment Land Review had been prepared jointly for Epping Forest and Brentwood Councils, and had considered the need for growth in employment land for the period up to 2031 across both areas, with district level figures for growth. The Review had focused upon on B class employment, which currently accounted for 78.6% of the total employment within the District, and included business (B1), general industrial (B2) and storage and distribution (B8). There was a high level of out-commuting by residents within the District, particularly to London. There was also a high level of micro-businesses (less than ten employees) within the District and it would be imperative to cater for their needs within the Local Development Framework. 

The Principal Planning Officer reported that the Review had identified a need for approximately 8.7 hectares of new employment land for the period up to 2031 in the Epping Forest District. Despite the current economic downturn, it was still considered important to provide opportunities for economic recovery, although the rate at which further employment land was made available would need to be kept under review. Following consideration of existing supply, the Review had also found that the majority of existing employment land in the District was in fair or good condition.

The Principal Planning Officer added that the Review would need to be considered in conjunction with the Town Centres Study to ensure a coordinated approach to economic development within the District. The Review would be an important part of the Evidence Base to underpin the preparation of the Core Strategy and would help to achieve corporate objectives for supporting economic development in the District, as well as a strong foundation for new planning polices in this respect.

The Cabinet Committee emphasised the possibilities of non-linked conclusions from different studies, and the possibility that the required expansion could be required at sites not identified by the Review. With an increasing number of people working from home, and food and drink (business class A3) being a primary area of growth, then there might not be the need to provide such large amounts of additional B-class employment land. The possibility of developing additional “Live-Work” Development Control policies in due course was also highlighted.

The Principal Planning Officer reiterated that the Review had studied the potential for growth within B-Class employment sectors. There would be an future study looking at the glasshouse sites within the District as Officers were aware of the problems in Nazeing and Roydon, and the potential for employment uses within rural areas would also be considered as promised at the previous meeting of the Cabinet Committee. The recently completed Town Centres Study also provides a source of information on employment uses outside of the B-classes. The Review had also only considered the existing established industrial areas within the District. The Council was aware that Essex County Council had previously stated they would produce a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

(Director of Planning & Economic Development) To consider the attached report (LDF-013-2010/11).

The Principal Planning Officer presented a report upon support for the Lee Valley White Water Centre Economic Study.

The Cabinet Committee was reminded that the Council was a member of the Lee Valley White Water Centre Legacy Board, which also included Broxbourne Borough Council, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Hertfordshire County Council and Essex County Council.  It was proposed that a study considering the economic and social implications of the venue be undertaken and examine the impacts there might be on the surrounding area. The Council had been requested to contribute to the cost of the study, and it was considered that this contribution should be no more than £15,000. This work would also contribute to the Evidence Base of the Local Development Framework.

The Cabinet Committee felt that this was a good opportunity for the District, and Waltham Abbey in particular, but also had a number of concerns about the methodology being employed and the proposed engagement of consultants. It was felt that the Joint Olympic Officer should be involved in the process and probably should be managing it. The Cabinet Committee requested confirmation of the timetable for the appointment of the post and how the post would dovetail with the work now being done. There was a fear that abortive work might be undertaken if the brief for the study was issued before the role had been recruited to, and that the capacity of the Joint Olympic Officer role should be considered before assuming that consultants were needed to undertake the study.

The Cabinet Committee also thought that the District Council’s Olympic Champion should be involved in the process, along with Town Councillors from Waltham Abbey and the Town Centre Partnership. In addition, it was reiterated that the Joint Olympic Officer should be providing the Cabinet Committee with regular updates, so that the Council could be assured that it was getting full and proper benefit from its share of the funding for the post. A request was made for the Joint Olympic Officer to present to the Cabinet Committee on the key priorities within their role when an appointment had been made.

The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the Joint Olympic Officer post was expected to be filled before Christmas and verified that the District Council’s Olympic Champion had been involved already whilst Town Councillors from Waltham Abbey would be involved in the near future.

RECOMMENDED:

(1)        That the Council be part of the commissioning of the Lee Valley White Water Centre Economic Development Study in combination with the other stakeholders;

(2)        That a financial contribution towards this study be provided by the Council, capped at a maximum of £15,000, and that this cost be met from the existing LDF budget, subject to the concerns previously expressed regarding the job description of the Joint Olympic Officer being satisfied; and

(3)        That, when appointed, the Joint Olympic Officer be invited to give a presentation to the Cabinet Committee on their key priorities within their role.

Reasons for Decision:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, together with paragraphs (6) and (24) 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 Cabinet Committee and the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee. Two weeks’ notice of non-urgent items is required.

There was no other urgent business for consideration by the Cabinet Committee.