Agenda item

The Work Programme is attached.

The Panel discussed the Work Programme:

 

Item 1 (a)        Regional Plan

 

The Panel were advised that an update on the Regional Plan situation would be provided at the next Panel meeting.

 

(b)       Local Development Framework (LDF)

 

Officers were continuing with the LDF as no further direction had been received from the Government. Members requested a report concerning a position statement on the current economic situation of the District.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That a report regarding the progress on the LDF include a position statement on the current economic situation within the District be submitted to the Panel.

 

Item 2 (b)        Value for Money Provision within Building Control

 

Members were informed that in September 2009 the Panel had requested a feasibility study on sharing Building Control services with Uttlesford and Harlow Councils. However it had been found that this was not financially advantageous to the District Council.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That an update be submitted to the Panel regarding the discussions Building Control had had with Uttlesford and Harlow Councils on sharing services.

 

Item 3              Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Area Planning Committees to be invited to a meeting to provide feedback.

 

The Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of District Development Control Committee and Planning Committees attended a meeting on a 6 monthly cycle. Members requested a meeting to be scheduled before September 2010.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That a meeting of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of District Development Control Committee and Area Planning Committees be arranged before September 2010.

 

Item 4              Report from Legal Services on performance at planning appeals.

 

It was advised that this report was similar to the one submitted to the Area Planning Sub-Committees on a 6 monthly cycle.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the report on performance at planning appeals be re-submitted to the Panel.

 

Item 5              Comments from the Planning Agents and Amenity Groups.

 

Members requested that this required repeating.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That N Richardson, Assistant Director of Planning, arrange another meeting.

 

Item 6              That a report be produced for the panel setting out the possible route any planning enforcement investigation could take.

 

A report had been submitted to the Panel in June 2009. Councillor C Finn requested a copy of the original report.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the report – “Setting out the possible route any Planning Enforcement investigation could take” be forwarded to Councillor C Finn.

 

Item 7              Review the Corporate Planning Protocol, with respect to dealing with applicants, agents, developers and the local business community to ensure that the highest standards of probity and governance are achieved.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That an update be submitted to the Panel in September 2010.

 

Item 8              To review a Selection of Controversial Planning Decisions to see if lessons can be learnt from their consideration.

 

Members suggested that older planning decisions should be re-examined for consistency, and planning sites should be re-visited to ascertain their closeness to the original planning decision.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)        That a report be submitted to the Panel in September 2010 regarding consistency between planning decisions and actual developments; and

 

(2)               That an item be put in the Bulletin advising of this report and seeking members feedback on any controversial planning decisions.

 

Item 9              To consider whether the reporting arrangements for Terms of Reference sections and those from the Section 106s (including how they are negotiated agreed and implemented strategically to secure community benefit), and appeals are sufficient (including how new legislation impacts on these) and recommend accordingly.

 

The Chairman suggested that an extra item be added to the Work Programme concerning contributions to affordable housing from developers. The Chairman also suggested that an extra panel meeting be scheduled to deal with the workload.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That an item be added to the Panel’s Work Programme regarding contributions to affordable housing from developers.

 

 

Item 10            Best Value Review

 

Members suggested that a report be submitted during the 2011/12 cycle, in June 2011, drawing on figures from March 2011. Members also requested that outturns be reported at the December 2010 Panel meeting.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Best Value Review report be submitted during the 2011/12 cycle.

 

Item 11            Planning Conditions Controlling Damage to Highways Infrastructure

 

It was suggested that this item should be submitted to the December 2010 meeting with Essex County Council Highways officers being invited to the meeting. A further suggestion was to arrange member visits to other planning authorities to learn from their work. An item should be placed in the Bulletin inviting members to come forward with their experiences of other local authorities and of contentious applications.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)        That an item be added to the December 2010 Panel meeting concerning Planning Conditions Controlling Damage to Highways Infrastructure;

 

(2)        That Essex County Council Highways officers be invited to the December 2010 meeting; and

 

(3)        That an item be placed in the Bulletin requesting members to come forward with examples of particular planning experiences of other local authorities and particular planning applications.