Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair will make any specific announcements for this meeting and advise of any late items which due to special circumstances will be given urgent consideration under Late Items.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Cabinet is requested to approve as a correct record the minutes of its meeting on Tuesday 2 February 2021 and Tuesday 16 February 2021 (copy to follow).

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 2 February 2021 and 16 February be approved as a correct record.

Members are requested to make any declarations of disclosable pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests they might have in respect of matters on the agenda for this meeting.

With regard to agenda item 9 Cllr Dignum declared a personal interest as a Chichester District Council appointed member of Chichester Community Development Trust.

In accordance with Chichester District Council’s scheme for public question time as amended by Full Council on 24 September 2019 the Cabinet will receive any questions which have been submitted by members of the public in writing by noon two working days before the meeting. Each questioner will be given up to three minutes to ask their question. The total time allocated for public question time is 15 minutes subject to the Chairman’s discretion to extend that period.

The following questions were asked by Ian Sumnall in relation to agenda item 7, Local Plan Review:

I am disappointed by the officers responses to suggested changes to Policy DM 8 , Transport, Accessibility and Parking, in the report before you, where their reaction to a suggestion that existing footpaths and cycleways should be protected is seen as ‘overly restrictive’. Could I suggest that this type response endangers the retention of Centurion Way from the developers of Whitehouse Farm Phase 2, for example. Some of you may recall that in your Local Plan for 1996 to 2006 your predecessors ensured Centurion Way’s establishment by a policy which protected its route.

Q1 - If it was ‘Fit for Purpose’ then why is it not now?

I understand from correspondence between Mr. Ayling and Councillor Sharp that consideration is being given to a ‘digital mapping layer’ being appended to the revised Local Plan showing various existing and proposed walking and cycling routes.

Q2 - Could I ask if such a ‘digital layer’ will have any legal standing?

Q3 - Why is it not proposed to include such routes, both existing and proposed in Supplementary Planning Guidance which you intend to use for other land use which would have statutory force?

Q4 - Finally your officers have previously been supplied with a copy of Policy 80 [Supporting Sustainable Access to Development] from the approved 2018 Local Plan for Cambridge City. Also of relevance is their Policy 5 [ Sustainable Transport and Infrastructure]. If these policies have passed the test in Cambridge why are they not thought suitable for Chichester?

The following answers were provided by Cllr Taylor:

A1 - The response to Policy DM8 in the Preferred Approach Plan consultation in 2018 indicated that existing footpaths and cycleways must be “preserved” suggesting no change. While the principle of protecting cycleways and footpaths is fully supported, there may be occasions when a small change to part of the route could facilitate wider benefits – including environmental, safety or design improvements and as such, it is not appropriate that the policy should prevent consideration of these improvements, i.e. it should not be “overly restrictive”. For example, in the course of considering proposed development, should a well-established route be found to jeopardise a protected habitat, species or historic feature, it might be entirely appropriate to suggest a small deviation, as part of the proposals, in the interests of biodiversity or heritage. It is therefore considered appropriate to allow a degree of flexibility in the policy to ensure that proposals consider the social, environmental and economic objectives - sustainable development.

While the reference to the 1996-2006 Local Plan is noted, when considering policies in the emerging Local Plan, reference to the current planning policy framework must be the starting point. The National Planning Policy Framework states at paragraph 11 that “plans should positively seek opportunities to meet the development needs of their area, and be sufficiently flexible to adapt to rapid change”.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its background paper and make the following recommendations to Full Council:

1.    That Council gives authority to the Director of Planning and Environment to apply to the Environment Agency to draw down £250k per year of Flood Defence Grant in Aid for the Beach Management Plan (BMP).

2.    That Council approves the funding referred to in paragraph 2.1 above to be spent in line with the Beach Management Plan 2021-26 Schedule of Works shown at Table 1.

3.    That should the Beach Management Plan Schedule of Works, set out in Table 1, require amendment during this period, that authority to amend the schedule is delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services.

4.    That the Director of Planning and Environment be authorised to procure and award contracts for work in accordance with the BMP 2021-26 and Financial Standing Orders.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.    That Council gives authority to the Director of Planning and Environment to apply to the Environment Agency to draw down £250k per year of Flood Defence Grant in Aid for the Beach Management Plan (BMP).

2.    That Council approves the funding referred to in paragraph 2.1 above to be spent in line with the Beach Management Plan 2021-26 Schedule of Works shown at Table 1.

3.    That should the Beach Management Plan Schedule of Works, set out in Table 1, require amendment during this period, that authority to amend the schedule is delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services.

4.    That the Director of Planning and Environment be authorised to procure and award contracts for work in accordance with the BMP 2021-26 and Financial Standing Orders.

Cllr Plant introduced the item.

In a vote the following recommendations were made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.    That Council gives authority to the Director of Planning and Environment to apply to the Environment Agency to draw down £250k per year of Flood Defence Grant in Aid for the Beach Management Plan (BMP).

2.    That Council approves the funding referred to in paragraph 2.1 to be spent in line with the Beach Management Plan 2021-26 Schedule of Works shown at Table 1.

3.    That should the Beach Management Plan Schedule of Works, set out in Table 1, require amendment during this period, that authority to amend the schedule is delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services.

4.    That the Director of Planning and Environment be authorised to procure and award contracts for work in accordance with the BMP 2021-26 and Financial Standing Orders.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following resolution and recommendations to Full Council:

1.    To reconsider whether IBP/355 Bus Real Time Passenger Information screens phase 2 is necessary and represents value for money (Appendix 3)

2.    That subject to 2.1 above Cabinet recommend to Council that it:

(i)            Approves the proposed responses to the representations received as amended and subsequent  modifications to the Draft Infrastructure Business Plan 2021-2026 as set out in Appendix 1; and

(ii)          Approves the amended IBP including the CIL Spending Plan attached as Appendix 2.

RESOLVED

That having reconsidered IBP/355 Bus Real Time Passenger Information screens phase 2 IBP/355 is to remain in the Plan.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.    That Council:

(i)            Approves the proposed responses to the representations received as amended and subsequent modifications to the Draft Infrastructure;

(ii)          Approves the Business Plan 2021-2026 as set out in Appendix 1; and;

(iii)         Approves the amended IBP including the CIL Spending Plan attached as Appendix 2.

Cllr Taylor introduced the item. Cllr Taylor invited Cllr Sharp to comment. Cllr Sharp spoke in favour of keeping the RTPI screens for bus users.

In a vote the following resolution and recommendations were made:

RESOLVED

That having reconsidered IBP/355 Bus Real Time Passenger Information screens phase 2 IBP/355 is to remain in the Plan.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.    That Council:

(i)            Approves the proposed responses to the representations received as amended and subsequent modifications to the Draft Infrastructure Business Plan (IBP);

(ii)          Approves the Infrastructure Business Plan 2021-2026 as set out in Appendix 1; and;

(iii)         Approves the amended IBP including the CIL Spending Plan attached as Appendix 2.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendix and make the following recommendations to Full Council:

1.    That:

a.     The Summary of Representations included as Appendix 1 to this report is noted.

b.    The proposed Council responses to the representations set out in that document are agreed for publication on the Council’s website.

c.    The Director of Planning and the Environment is authorised, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning Services, to make minor amendments to the Summary of Representations and Responses prior to its publication.

2.    That the issues raised in the Summary of Representations document and the other relevant issues summarised in section 9 of this report are noted as key considerations for the ongoing production of the Local Plan.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.    That:

a.    The Summary of Representations included as Appendix 1 to this report is noted.

b.     The proposed Council responses to the representations set out in that document are agreed for publication on the Council’s website.

c.    The Director of Planning and the Environment is authorised, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning Services, to make minor amendments to the Summary of Representations and Responses prior to its publication.

2.    That the issues raised in the Summary of Representations document and the other relevant issues summarised in section 9 of this report are noted as key considerations for the ongoing production of the Local Plan.

Cllr Taylor introduced the item.

In a vote the following recommendations were made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.    That:

a.    The Summary of Representations included as Appendix 1 to this report is noted.

b.     The proposed Council responses to the representations set out in that document are agreed for publication on the Council’s website.

c.    The Director of Planning and the Environment is authorised, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning Services, to make minor amendments to the Summary of Representations and Responses prior to its publication.

2.    That the issues raised in the Summary of Representations document and the other relevant issues summarised in section 9 of this report are noted as key considerations for the ongoing production of the Local Plan.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following recommendation to Full Council:

That the revised Local Development Scheme be approved.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the revised Local Development Scheme be approved.

Cllr Taylor introduced the item.

Cllr Dignum requested clarification on what stage mitigation will be required in relation to the Stockbridge Link Road. Mr Frost explained that the Transport Modelling Study would guide officers. Mr Ayling anticipated the output of the Modelling to be available in the summer. Cllr Taylor added that a feasibility study is also required in parallel. Mr Frost emphasised the importance for officers to gather evidence to put before members on these matters.

Cllr Sutton asked whether if proposed housing numbers were found to be undeliverable the housing numbers required could reduce. Cllr Taylor confirmed that would be a possibility. Cllr Sutton then requested clarification on the role of the Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel in the Local Plan. Cllr Taylor confirmed the Panel is politically balanced and all of  the evidence on the range of local plan studies is put before the Panel. The Panel are then provided with the opportunity to consult officers and make recommendations to Cabinet and Full Council. Mr Frost added that the Panel normally meets once a month.

In a vote the following recommendation was made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the revised Local Development Scheme be approved.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and make the following recommendation to Full Council:

That Council approves the release of £141,250 Section 106 Sport and Leisure monies plus interest accrued to the date of release to Chichester Community Development Trust.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Council approves the release of £141,250 Section 106 Sport and Leisure monies plus interest accrued to the date of release to Chichester Community Development Trust.

Cllr Briscoe introduced the item.

Cllr Taylor with reference to page 32 section 7.1 requested clarification on whether the building would be leasehold or freehold. Cllr Dignum was later able to confirm that it should read Freehold.

In a vote the following recommendation was made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That Council approves the release of £141,250 Section 106 Sport and Leisure monies plus interest accrued to the date of release to Chichester Community Development Trust.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following recommendation to Full Council:

That the Senior Staff Pay Policy Statement 2021-2022 be published.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the Senior Staff Pay Policy Statement 2021-2022 be published.

Cllr Wilding introduced the item.

In a vote the following recommendation was made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the Senior Staff Pay Policy Statement 2021-2022 be published.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendix and make the following resolutions:

1.    That the Authority’s Monitoring Report 2019-2020 be approved for publication.

2.    That the Director of Planning and the Environment be authorised, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning Services, to make any minor amendments to the Authority’s Monitoring Report prior to its publication. 

RESOLVED

1.    That the Authority’s Monitoring Report 2019-2020 be approved for publication.

2.    That the Director of Planning and the Environment be authorised, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning Services, to make any minor amendments to the Authority’s Monitoring Report prior to its publication.

Cllr Taylor introduced the item.

In a vote the following resolutions were made:

RESOLVED

1.    That the Authority’s Monitoring Report 2019-2020 be approved for publication.

2.    That the Director of Planning and the Environment be authorised, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning Services, to make any minor amendments to the Authority’s Monitoring Report prior to its publication.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following resolution:

That Cabinet approves the spend of the Business Rates Pool grant award as detailed in Appendix 2 and that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment (following consultation with the Cabinet member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services) to vary the spend with minor amendments where necessary.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the spend of the Business Rates Pool grant award as detailed in Appendix 2 with the revised amendments (subject to Full Council approval of the Infrastructure Business Plan on 2 March 2021) and that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment (following consultation with the Cabinet member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services) to vary the spend with minor amendments where necessary.

Cllr Plant introduced the item. Mr Ballard added that with reference to Appendix 2 the intended spend in row 3, IBP 656 would be funded by item 6 if it is agreed at Full Council in the afternoon. He proposed that subject to the agreement by Full Council that row 3 £15,000 be moved to the £23,000 to bring forward the development of the LCWIP. The LCWIP funding therefore totalling £38,000. The Cabinet were in agreement with the proposal.

In a vote the following resolution was made:

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the spend of the Business Rates Pool grant award as detailed in Appendix 2 with the revised amendments (subject to Full Council approval of the Infrastructure Business Plan on 2 March 2021) and that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment (following consultation with the Cabinet member for the Environment and Chichester Contract Services) to vary the spend with minor amendments where necessary.

a)    Items added to the agenda papers and made available for public inspection.

b)    Items which the Chair has agreed should be taken as matters of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be reported at the meeting.

There were no late items.

The Cabinet is asked to consider in respect of agenda items 14, 15 and 16 whether the public including the press should be excluded from the meeting on the following ground of exemption in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 namely Paragraph 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) and because, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption of that information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

[Note The report and its appendices within this part of the agenda are attached for members of the Council and relevant only (printed on salmon paper)]

Cllr Lintill proposed and read the part II resolution in relation to agenda items 15 and 16 which was seconded by Cllr Taylor.

The Cabinet then voted to go into part II.

RESOLVED

That with regard to agenda item 15 and 16 the public including the press should be excluded from the meeting on the grounds of exemption in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 namely Paragraph 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) and because, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption of that information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Members took a short break.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and make the recommendations stated at 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of the report.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

The Cabinet makes the recommendations to Council as stated at 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of the report.

Please note this item was discussed in part II and a recording was made.

Cllr Plant introduced the item. Mrs Stevens added some points of clarification.

Questions were received from Cllr Taylor, Cllr Briscoe and Cllr Lintill. Mrs Stevens provided the responses.

In a vote the following recommendations were made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

The Cabinet makes the recommendations to Council as stated at 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 of the report.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the recommendations to Full Council stated at sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the report.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

The Cabinet makes the recommendations to Council as stated at sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the report.

Please note this item was discussed in part II and a recording was made.

Cllr Dignum introduced the item. 

Questions were received from Cllr Briscoe, Cllr Wilding, Cllr Plant and Cllr Lintill. Mrs McKay and Mr Gregory provided the responses.

In a vote the following recommendations were made:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

The Cabinet makes the recommendations to Council as stated at sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the report.