To discuss the following matters raised by Local Councils at the Epping branch of EALC on 13 February:
(a) LOCAL PLAN UPDATE
Commenting on the recent workshops members had felt that the second workshop had been more task oriented that the first which had been described as too intensive with around three hours of slides followed by an afternoon activity which did not appear to build on the information given in the morning.
The Chairman felt that some of the information presented was of questionable accuracy and some Members expressed concern that the workshops were being held primarily as being required as part of a process rather than to genuinely inform the draft Local Plan.
It was believed that the forward planning team would engage with the information provided at the workshops and act on these findings.
Members stated that anyone unhappy with the level of consultation would no doubt need to take it up with the independent examiner once the draft Local Plan is published. He expected that there would be perceived winners and losers once the detail was better known and reminded that individuals need to respond directly as well as be encouraged to do so through their parish or town councils.
The local councils requested that this item should go forward to the 7 March Local Council Liaison Committee with the consideration that the Forward Planning Team work closely with Parish and Town Councils to host public feedback sessions as an integral part of the next consultation phase of the Local Plan.
(b) DISTRICT LICENCING APPLICATIONS
Branch Members agreed that parish and town councils should be informed of, and given opportunity to comment on licence applications in their locality. In lieu of a statutory duty to consult with local councils, it was hoped that arrangements could be made with EFDC Licensing to allow for timely consideration of comments from parishes and towns.
An example was given of a recent licence application for a truck stop on the M25. Waltham Abbey Town Council was not given any opportunity to comment.
Cllr Jon Whitehouse commented that current arrangements sought representations from those within 150 metres of premises submitting a licence application.
The local councils agreed that this item should go forward to the 7 March Local Council Liaison Committee with the consideration that EFDC Licensing give notice and opportunity to comment on licence applications to the corresponding local council.
(K Tuckey, Senior Licensing Officer will be in attendance to answer questions).
(c) LOCAL COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT GRANT
The branch paid thanks to Epping Forest District Council for the arrangements put in to place to ensure that local councils were not left disadvantaged by the Localising Council Tax Scheme (LCTS) for the financial year 2013/14.
Whilst it was accepted that last minute changes meant that the tax base figures were unusually delayed this year, Branch Members reported that their precept setting process had been significantly disrupted. Some commented that it had been very difficult to understand.
With the tax base setting process having changed, local councils could now be reliant on an annual grant to meet any income shortfall from a decreased precept. It was therefore imperative that safeguards be made to ensure the sustainability of town and parish councils and to support the budget setting process.
It was noted that parish and town councils had been exempt from the requirement for a local referendum to veto excessive council tax increases this year. Should this exemption be removed in following years, and the grant allowance be reduced, it was likely that many local councils would find approval of future budgets subject to referendum.
The branch requested that this item should go forward to the 7 March Local Council Liaison Committee with the request that a status update be given with regards to future arrangements for local council precept and tax setting.
Minutes:
(a) Local Plan Update
The Committee received a presentation from Mr I White, Forward Planning Manager, regarding an update of the Local Plan.
Members had raised this issue for discussion as they felt that the recent Local Plan workshops had not been as helpful, or constructive, as they could have been. They felt that consideration should be given for the Forward Planning Team to work closely with Parish and Town Councils to host public feedback sessions as an integral part of the next consultation phase of the Local Plan.
Mr I White acknowledged that the second workshop had been more successful than the first and advised that members should feedback if they thought anything was wrong. The third workshop was scheduled for 9 March and would deal with settlements and rural areas, the outcomes of which would be reported to the Local Plan Cabinet Committee on 25 March. The fourth workshop would discuss population and household projections, and would take place in late May or early June 2013.
There would be a report submitted to the Local Plan Cabinet Committee in early July agreeing population and housing numbers up to 2033 and narrowing down the strategic distribution options, taking into account the outcomes of the latest study on the future of North Weald Airfield, and feedback on the Essex County Council Consultation on Junction 7A on the M11, if available.
Following the fifth member workshop to discuss outcomes, there would be a report to the Local Plan Cabinet Committee to determine “Preferred Option” version of plan for next round of public consultation. It was anticipated that consultation would commence in late autumn.
Members thanked the Forward Planning Team for working exceptionally hard on the Local Plan.
Mr I White advised that some elements of the Local Plan needed to be in place as soon as possible as old policies ceased to have an effect from the end of March 2013. He added that neighbourhood planning resources were reasonably limited and these plans had to make room for as much development as the Local Plan.
(b) District Licensing Applications
The branch members felt that parish and town councils should be informed of, and given opportunity to comment on licence applications in their locality. Although it was acknowledged that there was no statutory duty to consult with local councils, it was hoped that arrangements should be made with the Council’s licensing section to allow for timely consideration of comments from parishes and towns.
In attendance on behalf of the licensing section was the Senior Licensing Officer, she advised that the Licensing Act 2003 stated that going beyond its legal parameters could assist the applicant with an appeal. The District Council did display all licensing applications on its website and they ensured that notification was published in the local press with officers also checking newspaper circulation as well. The Chief Executive recognised this as a legal anomaly which the Council could not change.
(c) Local Council Tax Support Grant
Local councils paid thanks to the District Council for the arrangements made to ensure that they were not left disadvantaged by the Localising Council Tax Scheme (LCTS) for the financial year 2013/14. However it was felt that their precept setting process had been significantly disrupted, being difficult to understand in some cases.
With the tax base setting process changed, local councils could now be reliant on an annual grant to meet any income shortfall from a decreased precept. Safeguards should be made to ensure the sustainability of town and parish councils and support the budget setting process. It was noted that town and parish councils had been exempt from the requirement for a local referendum to veto excessive council tax increases this year. Should the exemption be removed, and the grant allowance reduced, it was likely that many local councils would find approved of future budgets subject to referendum. It was advised that the Director of Finance could advise on this in the future.